Manual Lymphatic Drainage was developed in the 1930's in Europe by Emil Vodder. It is widely used there as a medical modality to speed healing from wounds (surgical and otherwise), traumas (sprains, strains), to reduce the edema (swelling) of lymphedema, and by aestheticians. It functions by manually stimulating the musculature of the lymph vessels, increasing the volume of fluid moving through the system.

In addition to its function as part of our immune system, the lymph system is the solid waste system for our bodies' cells. It is the only way that large molecules (proteins, cell-death leftovers, etc) can exit the fluid that fills the interstitial space (the space between our cells). It also removes 10% of the fluids that enter this space (the other 90% goes back out through the blood vessels), which is why when there is a blockage the fluid builds up and the area "downstream" of the blockage swells (lymphedema).=A0 So lymphatic drainage can also be used to increase tissue health by cleaning out the interstitial space. The lymph vessels are also the pathway by which fats get from our intestines into our bloodstream to be used/processed.

WATCH OUT. There are increasing numbers of people teaching lymphatic drainage, as it is catching on in the US. Manual Lymphatic Drainage - Vodder Technique is the original method developed by Emil Vodder. It methods are applicable to all needs, from wellness work to lymphedema. It requires 4 weeks to learn. Many others are teaching variations of this technique in a shorter period of time. Usually they are teaching only the work for limphedema, not how to handle other situations, as this is the most lucrative and the most appealing to mainstream health care practitioners. I don't know what these students are being told, but some of them think they are doing Vodder Method, but they aren't. Only someone completing 4 weeks of Vodder training can say they do Vodder Technique. Ask how long their training was.

Also, in massage schools, students are taught that massage therapy in general, and the long, flowing stroke called effleurage in particular, moves fluids through the body, including lymph fluid. This is true in a very general and minimal sense, but nothing in comparison to lymphatic drainage techniques. I have seen massage therapists with no lymphatic drainage training apply long, flowing, gentle strokes and say they are doing 'lymph drainage work'. Yes they are, in a sense, but nothing compared to the techniques developed by Vodder.

And it is still the sad case in many parts of the US that anyone with absolutely no training whatsoever can say they are doing massage therapy, or lymphatic drainage, or any other bodywork modality with=20 impunity.

Manual Lymphatic Drainage has four absolute contraindications:
1) heart-related edema,
2) recent (within 3 weeks) thrombosis (blood clot),
3) acute inflammation (first 48 hours), and
4) active malignancies (not in remission).

The reason for contraindication in active malignancies is the possibility that malignant cells may spread (metastasize) via the lymph system. By moving more fluid through the system there is more chance that malignant cells might concentrate in other areas, especially the lymph nodes which are designed to trap non-self entities. This is very applicable to in-situ malignancies, cancer that is isolated to a single spot. It would not be so much of a consideration for cancer that is already wide spread as is so often the case with lymphomas. I personally observe this contraindication in my own practice for reasons of liability, but if I ever have chemo again I will find someone to do Manual Lymphatic Drainage on me, because I will want to move as much chemo as possible into my lymph nodes where my cancer is already concentrated.

At www.vodderschool.com you can find a practitioner in your area (a good way to check on someone's training), get more information about Manual Lymphatic Drainage, and find links for more information.

Gathered by Vera Bradova © 1999
Updated 9-5-2003