Specialized, gentle bodywork to move stagnant fluid and support a compromised lymphatic system — for lymphedema, chronic swelling, and immune and post-illness recovery.
Manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) is a specialized technique developed to stimulate lymphatic flow. Unlike conventional massage, which works muscle and connective tissue with moderate to deep pressure, MLD uses very light, rhythmic, skin-level movements — because lymphatic vessels sit just beneath the skin and respond to gentle, wave-like stretch, not compression.
I bring more than 20 years of clinical massage experience and manual lymphatic drainage training to this work, and I serve as a massage therapist at Huntsman Cancer Institute's Wellness & Integrative Health Center. That means MLD here is oncology-informed and clinically grounded — adapted to your specific condition and coordinated with your physician's guidance when needed.
It's worth being direct: MLD is not a weight-loss tool, a "detox" treatment, or a general wellness service that benefits everyone. In a body with a healthy, functioning lymphatic system, MLD produces relaxation — but not the specific physiological effects that matter clinically. The people for whom MLD makes a meaningful difference are those whose lymphatic systems are genuinely compromised or under strain.
Your first session begins with a detailed intake — health history, any surgeries or medical conditions, current medications, and your specific goals. The work begins at the major lymph node clusters before moving to the areas of swelling or concern. The pressure is genuinely light — first-time clients often ask if it's "doing anything." It is; it's just working with a different tissue system than most massage does.
The goal isn't to force anything. It's to help your body do what it's already trying to do — just more efficiently.
Sessions are typically 60 minutes. For active lymphedema management, more frequent sessions early on — often tapering from two to three times a week toward monthly maintenance — is a common pattern.
The distinction matters. True manual lymphatic drainage follows the anatomical pathways of the lymphatic system using specific, validated techniques. "Lymphatic massage" is sometimes used loosely to describe any light massage. If you're seeking MLD for a clinical condition, make sure your therapist has specific MLD training, not just general massage training.
It depends on your condition. For active lymphedema management, ongoing care is typically needed — often tapering from 2–3 sessions per week to monthly maintenance as the condition stabilizes. For post-surgical recovery, see the Recovery Care page for a typical arc.
No. MLD uses extremely light pressure and should feel gentle throughout. If a session is causing discomfort, the pressure is too heavy for what you need.
Simple self-drainage techniques can be taught as part of a treatment plan, particularly for lymphedema management. I'll walk you through these if they're appropriate for your situation.
Gentle, oncology-informed lymphatic care. New clients welcome.
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