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Lymphatic Care

I am certified and passionate about providing two different types of Lymphatic bodywork:

  • Vodder Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD)
  • The Brazilian Lymphatic Drainage Massage

Vodder MLD is an extremely gentle technique. Vodder MLD is more of a clinical approach, with decades of medical research proving its safety and efficacy. The pressure can be described as about the weight of a coin, and it can be hard to believe that such gentle touch can yield such powerful results. Whereas firm, vigorous massage increases blood flow to the area, Vodder MLD manipulates the lymphatic vessels just under the skin, decreasing fluid build up in the area, without putting additional pressure on the body. Vodder MLD is extremely relaxing and supports general wellness, but is especially helpful for chronic swelling due to lipedema, lymphedema, post-op, sports injuries, those taking prednisone, those who find firm massage painful, and more.

Vodder MLD does not use any oil or lotion, and encourages superficial lymphatic drainage with gentle, slow, rhythmic techniques.

I like to say to new MLD clients: If you love deep tissue massages, you will probably find MLD a bit boring, but it will be really good for you! If you hate deep tissue massages, you will LOVE MLD!

I am a Vodder Certified Manual Lymphatic Drainage Therapist (Klose), NOT a Certified Lymphedema Therapist. I am capable of treating stages 0 and 1 lymphedema, and providing MLD for stages 2 and 3 with instructions from your CLT. I do not provide comprehensive care for lymphedema.

The Brazilian Lymphatic Drainage Massage is the viral, celebrity favorite body treatment that uses lymphatic and body sculpting massage techniques to debloat and get red-carpet ready! This is both a wellness and aesthetic massage ritual that helps with digestion, constipation, water retention and more. Most clients do notice immediate visual results that will continue to improve for about 48 hours as your body naturally flushes out waste and excess fluid. This massage alone is not a fat loss treatment; your results will be temporary depending on what is causing the bloating and your lifestyle. However, by optimizing your digestion and lymphatic system, regular treatment can help boost your diet & exercise results for aid in weight loss. Regular lymphatic massages can also help reduce cellulite and fluid pockets.

The Brazilian Lymphatic Drainage Massage uses a generous amount of oil and optional firming cream. The pressure is quite firm in the abdomen within your comfort level, with vigorous and repetitive techniques to encourage deeper lymphatic drainage. The body sculpting aspect works by both stimulating lymphatic drainage & digestion, and smoothing out muscle fibers and connective tissue.

Frequently Asked Questions:

It is a common misconception that lymphatic massage will make you sick. Just like any massage, drinking a lot of water for the next 24 hours will help avoid that hangover feeling by rehydrating the tissue. I strongly recommend avoiding alcohol and caffeine for 24 hours before and after MLD or lymphatic massage, and drinking extra water if you do partake. If you are unknowingly carrying a virus or infection that has not presented any symptoms yet, lymphatic bodywork will expedite this process as the lymph nodes will trigger the immune response. If you lead a more stagnant lifestyle and/or eat a lot of sugary, processed foods, you may suffer from some “detox” symptoms after your massage. Drinking lots of water will help with this, and it will be less of a concern the more you receive lymphatic treatments and work to improve your lymphatic health.

NO, if you are currently ill, lymphatic massage will only make you feel worse. Your lymphatic system is already working very hard, and putting more pressure on your body with massage will not be helpful. It is also possible to spread infection throughout the body with massage. However, if you are still feeling congested due to an old illness or allergies, facial MLD can help take pressure off of the sinuses and help things move along. Please do not schedule if you are currently contagious.

That is completely up to your preferences and goals. Most clients will not notice a visual difference after MLD, but consistent treatment will also help with digestion and fluid retention over time. If you are recovering from an injury or surgery, I will only treat with MLD.

You can wear whatever you want! You may like to wear comfy clothes that aren’t too fussy to get on and off. You will dress down and get in between the sheets on my massage table for your treatment (I will leave the room for you to undress and settle in). Within your comfort level, I like access to as much skin as possible to provide the most effective treatment. You are welcome to leave undergarments on, or wear the disposable undergarments I provide, but either way, breasts and genitals will be covered at all times with proper draping. I also provide robes and slippers, as it is very common to need to use the restroom during lymphatic treatments.

You can plan on feeling incredibly relaxed and a little bit lighter! As mentioned above, you may have some “detox” symptoms that can present as a minor hangover or a little tickle in the throat. This is not very common as long as you are hydrated, and should subside within a few hours with lots of water. Expect increased urination and bowel movements over the next 48 hours. For certain chronic conditions like POTS and migraines, it is incredibly hard to predict if you will feel amazing after your session, feel worse after your session due to the increased pressure on your system, or not notice much of a difference in your condition.

I recommend scheduling your Brazilian Lymphatic Drainage Massage 1-2 days before your big event for best visual results. You can also book a series of weekly treatments 3-6 weeks before your big event, and each session will build off of the last for better results. If you have never received a Brazilian Lymphatic Drainage Massage before, I recommend booking at least 2 days before your big event, as though it’s unlikely, you may react with some detox symptoms.