Medical Massage — Manual Lymphatic Massage (MLM) & Integrative Manual Therapy (IMT)

Medical Massage using Integrative Manual Therapy (IMT) is a hands-on technique that addresses pain and physical dysfunction. This gentle therapy helps to reverse the underlying damage that has caused your symptoms. Using a series of IMT treatments, it is possible to reduce or eliminate low back or neck pain, sciatica, headaches, joint pain and more.

Laura J. Lewis has been a practicing massage therapist for 12 years and has been at AHA for the last 9 years. She uses medical massage as a stand-alone therapy or can be combined with a massage session. Laura is committed to getting to the root of the problem to alleviate your pain. Come in for a consultation or add a free 15 minutes of IMT to your massage.

60 minutes $120
90 minutes $160

Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD)

Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) is a gentle treatment that stimulates fluid movement in the tissues by increasing the function of the lymph vessel system. When the lymph pathways become congested due to illness, injury, or surgery, waste products build up and may lead to swelling or other cell pathology. This can be relieved by massaging the lymph nodes with the appropriate technique.

MLD cleanses the tissue and initializes an immune response. It also calms the nervous system, and can promote an analgesic effect. MLD is the most effective treatment for lymphedema. If you’re seeking a Manual Lymphatic Drainage Massage in Alexandria, VA, give us a call today.

Manual Lymphatic Drainage FAQs

Q. What is Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD)?

Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) is a treatment that directly impacts the body’s lymphatic system. The lymphatic system is a vascular system that filters tissue fluid throughout the body, removing excess fluid (edema), waste material, foreign matter, and pathogens. It then returns the “cleansed” fluid back to the circulatory system.

If this network fails or becomes overloaded, tissue fluid becomes stagnant, which adversely impacts health. MLD helps to stimulate lymph flow and therefore, encourages lymphatic fluid drainage.

Q. How is MLD applied?

MLD technique uses very light circular movements which gently stretch the skin in the direction of lymph flow. The strokes are slow, repetitive, and rhythmical, which calm the nervous system. Note that this is not a typical massage, meaning it does not manipulate muscle. However, it does have an impact on the muscle tissue. MLD is performed directly on the skin with no lubricant.

Treatments can last 30, 60, or 90 minutes. The treatment always starts at the base of the neck, where the main lymphatic ducts are situated. These ducts are always drained first, then, depending on the treatment plan, the therapist will transition outward from this point, working with the direction of the lymph flow. During this time the lymphatic drainage therapy technique used depends on the areas of concern and their associated lymph flow pathways.

Q. Which conditions could benefit from MLD?

MLD focuses on draining the lymphatic system of excess fluid, calms the nervous system, has an analgesic effect, and helps boost immune response. It also helps to relax smooth muscle, increasing blood flow without increasing blood pressure. As a result, it can help with a range of conditions including:

• Inflammation (without infection)
• Edema
• Pre and post-surgery (including cosmetic)
• Post-injury
• Wound healing
• Muscle, tendon, or ligament injury
• Allergies and congestion
• Headaches and migraines
• Scarring and keloids
• Skin conditions including acne and rosacea
• Digestive issues
• Pre-menstrual syndrome
• Swelling during pregnancy
• Varicosity
• Arthritis
• Fibromyalgia

Q. When should MLD not be conducted?

MLD cannot be used:

• when an acute infection is present (can treat after a course of antibiotics)
• within 24 hours of an acute allergic reaction
• after recent thrombosis
• when untreated malignant diseases are present
• on individuals with congestive heart failure

Q. What can I expect post-treatment?

Normal responses to MLD:

• Feeling of lightness
• Increased sense of well-being
• Sense of fluid movement, especially in the extremities
• Return of normal skin color
• Reduction in swelling

However, some individuals temporarily experience lymphatic drainage side effects, including:

• Fatigue
• Nausea
• Headache
• Dizziness/lightheadedness
• Heightened sensitivity to touch

 Our practitioner, Alicia is trained in the Dr. Vodder technique of manual lymphatic drainage through Dr. Vodder School-International.