Manual Lymph Drainage is slow, rhythmic, and gentle. It is primarily performed on individuals who have gone through surgery, cancer, lymphedema and other lymphatic conditions. It is deemed more 'medical' in nature. To combat large amounts of swelling, the body requires a 'slow and steady' approach for safe and effective results.

Brazilian Lymph Drainage is fast, vigorous, but still gentle. It primarily focuses on individuals who have high stress levels, feeling "puffier" than usual, bloating, sleep issues, etc. It is deemed more 'cosmetic' in nature and not recommended for those with compromised lymphatic or cardiac systems. The dramatic results from just 1-3 treatments make it a very popular choice.

Benefits:

• decreases inflammation and swelling

• increases blood and lymph circulation

• promotes 'detoxification' (removes cell debris, various toxins, and extra proteins)

• improves overall skin health

• strengthens our immune system

• decreases pain

• better sleep quality
  
  

Risks:

There aren't many but there's a small chance of experiencing: headaches, nausea, feeling 'under the weather' post-treatment.

People with the following conditions should NOT get Lymph Drainage treatments:

• Any metastatic or systemic malignant condition

• Active bacterial or viral infection (ie. cellulitis)

• Any thrombosis at risk of causing embolism

Caution is used during treatment for these conditions:

• Edema following carcinoma treatment

• Thyroid dysfunction

• Chronic inflammation

• Bronchial asthma

• Hypotension

• Diabetes

This is a tricky question because it depends on what's going on with your health and treatment goals but I will try to give a ball-park number:

For Manual LD: generally, the more fluid you have, the more treatments you will need. Recovery cannot be rushed and results vary from person to person. Consistent treatments can mean the difference between recovering in 6 weeks with MLD vs. recovering in 6 months or more without MLD.

For Post-Op patients, your surgeon may recommend a certain number but it averages to be 8-16 treatments in total. I recommend 3-4 treatments per week for the first 2-3 weeks of the treatment plan, tapering off to 1-2 per week as the weeks go by until there's a full reduction in excess fluid. We will begin treatments after you've healed for a minimum of 2 weeks (or more, if instructed by your surgeon).

For Lymphedema patients, how many treatments depends on what 'stage' of lymphedema you're in/how much swelling is present. Your other healthcare providers or doctor may recommend a certain number of treatments but generally, the 'intensive' phase can mean 3-4 treatments a week, for the first 2-4 weeks. Then tapering off in the later weeks to 1-3 treatments a week.

Bandaging is done at each appointment to keep fluid from coming back and reducing it further during the day.

It can take 5-8 weeks of multiple appointments... understandably a daunting task, but recovery is possible. Once a full reduction in excess fluid is reached (yay!), the 'maintenance' phase begins, and a fitted compression garment is necessary to keep the fluid from coming back. Other resources will be given to you such as self-MLD instructions, options for compression garments, skin care, and exercise recommendations.

After recovery is complete getting MLD once every 4-6 weeks is generally recommended.

For Brazilian LD: This is a powerful lymphatic reset and is recommended 1-3x a month for those without serious health conditions. 1x a month is perfect for maintenance and upkeep, but 3x a month will enhance results, making them stronger and longer-lasting.

3 pre-op MLD treatments are recommended within the week before surgery to help encourage your lymphatic system to work harder, eliminate residual toxins and cell debris for faster healing immediately after surgery, and calm your nerves leading up to a successful operation.

If you've just had a post-op procedure, your surgeon will likely recommend when to begin and the frequency of treatments.

For liposuction, starting Manual Lymph Drainage treatments after 1 week is safe.

For surgeries where a larger/deeper incision was made, starting Manual LD treatments after 2 weeks (or later, if instructed by your surgeon) is safe.

Absolutely. Depending on where you are in your journey of managing either Lymphedema or Lipedema, I can help.

I use Combined Decongestive Therapy to help combat these conditions alongside you.

Combined Decongestive Therapy involves:

• Manual Lymphatic Drainage

• Skin Care

• Bandaging & Compression

• Exercise Recommendations

I may also recommend other health professionals and resources to best help you.

Great question - this is where taking pictures or using my tape measure (or both!) is super beneficial to see results and progress over time.

Taking pictures is important because for some patients they don't necessarily 'feel' immediate results afterwards like they do with regular massage, but a before and after picture to compare is genuine proof. 'Feeling' the results may take time (hours, upwards of a day) and that's perfectly normal.

The tape measure is used to the affected area or limb for very precise progress measurements. This is a must in lymphedema cases to make sure treatment is going well.

First time Manual Lymph Drainage / Brazilian Lymph Drainage Treatment:

• Health history and consent forms need to be filled out prior to treatment.

• A short intake/conversation about your treatment goals is required. For MLD we can do treatment for specific areas of the body, half the body or full body. Massage can also be included if you would like. For Brazilian LD, it is always a full body treatment. If we only do a specific part of the body or half the body, the results are not as strong. It is a specific sequence of movements that systemically reduces excess fluid. It takes up the entirety of our hour together so there isn't room to perform other modalities.

• We will go over the benefits/risks of treatment and any questions or concerns you may have.

• MLD and BLD requires skin-to-skin contact and therefore, being unclothed for the treatment is necessary. You will be covered under sheets and a blanket for privacy and only the area being worked on will be uncovered. Lymphatic fluid sits right underneath the skin so contact with the skin is a must to move the lymph fluid. If you are uncomfortable being unclothed, unfortunately, the treatment can't be performed.

• If there are any areas of the body that you do NOT want touched or treated let me know. Therapists will usually treat the back, legs/feet, abdomen, arms/hands, neck and shoulders during a full body Lymph Drainage treatment.

• 45-60 minutes of MLD are recommended for smaller areas that have a lot of swelling (face/neck or arms)

• 75-90 minutes of MLD are recommended for larger areas with a lot of swelling such as abdomen, hips and legs.

• If bandaging is needed (for lymphedema), it will be done in the last 15 minutes of the appointment time.

• Glutes, Inner thigh, Upper chest, and Breast tissue are sensitive areas that need extra written consent. For all Lymph Drainage treatments, written consent is needed because the lymph nodes where I direct the extra fluid reside in each of these areas. The inguinal, axillary, parasternal, sacral and gluteal nodes to name a few.

• Before treatment begins we can take pictures (with your permission) or use a measuring tape around the affected area to see how much fluid was there before and how much fluid there is after treatment. This visual aid is super helpful to see your progress and final results.

• When the appointment is done, I'll ask you how you feel and if you have any feedback for me. I'll also give out self care instructions if appropriate, on a case-by-case basis.

• Generally speaking, people feel sleepy and much better after treatment. Effects of MLD & BLD post treatment are swelling reduction, increased urine/stool output (excess fluid and toxins get expelled from the body this way!), less pain/discomfort, and more mobility.
  

First time Therapeutic Massage Treatment:

• Health history and consent forms need to be filled out prior to treatment.

• A short intake/conversation about your treatment goals is required. It's up to you if you wish to only have a specific area treated or a complete full body treatment.

• Choice of essential oils, cupping or facial Gua Sha massage is also available.

• We will go over the benefits/risks of treatment and any questions or concerns you may have.

• Generally for massage therapy, people are not clothed for treatment (but still covered by sheets and a blanket for privacy). If it makes you more comfortable to wear clothing that's okay too.

• If there are any areas of the body that you do NOT want touched or treated let me know. Therapists will usually treat the back, legs/feet, arms/hands, neck/shoulders, scalp, and sometimes the face during a full body treatment.

• Pressure can be changed at any time. I will check in once or twice during treatment to make sure it's to your liking. If it isn't, you can always let me know. I do light to firm pressure, but wouldn't call myself a deep tissue therapist.

• Glutes, Inner thigh, Upper chest and Breast tissue are areas that I do not treat unless specifically requested and indicated, with written consent.

• After treatment, I'll ask you how you feel and if you have any feedback for me. I'll sometimes also give out self care instructions if it's appropriate.

• Generally speaking, people feel sleepy and very relaxed afterwards!

You can! Booking a Manual Lymphatic Drainage treatment is recommended. During our intake at the time of the appointment you can specify that you would like both.

Massage cannot be performed during a Brazilian Lymphatic Drainage treatment as it is a very specific set of movements for the entire body and doesn't allow time for other modalities.

Absolutely! I can address it in many ways depending on where you are in the healing process and what recommendations your surgeon has given.

If the incision is fresh (5 days-2 weeks old) I'm only going to be addressing it with Manual Lymph Drainage. It needs to seal completely before any massage or manipulation of the tissue is done.

When the incision is 2-4 weeks old I will use MLD and massage, or cupping to gently coax the scar to sit flat, release restrictions, and bring blood flow to the area.

When the incision is 4-6 weeks old or more, slightly more pressure can be applied (if appropriate and tolerated) using the same techniques. I will also show you how to massage your scar at home so results can last longer.

I use a stainless steel tool to gently 'scrape' along the face towards the facial and neck lymph nodes. Gua Sha is a Traditional Chinese Medicine technique that aids in circulation, lymphatic drainage, and eases chronic facial tension. It is especially beneficial for high stress levels, sinus issues, boosting collagen production, decreasing jaw and scalp tension, and more. It is also safe to perform during pregnancy. It isn't recommended for those with cystic acne, a lot of facial hair (beard/mustache), post-op swelling, sunburns, or open wounds.

I use a toner and facial oil from Artifact Skin Co. (appropriate for all skin types) during this treatment for extra anti-oxidants to keep your skin radiant and nourished! This type of facial massage is performed at the end of Therapeutic Massage Treatments, for roughly 5 - 10 minutes at your request.

I carry Lavender, Eucalyptus, Lemongrass, Rosemary, Cedarwood, Orange, Grapefruit, and Peppermint.

Oils can be paired together or not, whatever your preference is. Popular pairings include: Lavender & Orange, Eucalyptus & Grapefruit, or Lemongrass and Cedarwood.

For prenatal patients: Lavender, Grapefruit, Orange, Cedarwood, and Eucalyptus are safe choices.

No, currently I do not offer them.