At Healing Hands Massage in Hampden, we provide professional manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) therapy to support your immune system, reduce swelling, and promote natural detoxification. Our licensed massage therapists use gentle, specialized techniques to stimulate your lymphatic system and help your body remove waste, toxins, and excess fluid.
Manual lymphatic drainage is a gentle, therapeutic massage technique that encourages the natural drainage of lymph fluid throughout your body. Unlike traditional massage, MLD uses very light pressure and specific rhythmic movements to move lymphatic fluid toward lymph nodes where it can be filtered and processed.
Your lymphatic system is a critical part of your immune system. It's a network of vessels and nodes throughout your body that collects waste products, excess fluid, toxins, and bacteria from your tissues. This lymph fluid needs to move through your system to be filtered by lymph nodes and eventually eliminated from your body.
Unlike your circulatory system which has your heart to pump blood, your lymphatic system has no pump. It relies on muscle movement, breathing, and external manipulation to move lymph fluid through your body. When lymph flow becomes sluggish or blocked, fluid accumulates in your tissues causing swelling, discomfort, and reduced immune function.
Manual lymphatic drainage uses very gentle, rhythmic, pumping movements to stimulate lymph flow. The pressure is extremely light—much lighter than traditional massage—because lymph vessels are close to the skin's surface. These specialized techniques encourage lymph fluid to move toward lymph nodes in your neck, armpits, and groin where it can be processed and filtered.
Manual lymphatic drainage provides significant therapeutic benefits:
Reduces Swelling: MLD is highly effective for reducing edema (swelling) caused by surgery, injury, chronic conditions, or lymphedema. It helps move excess fluid out of swollen tissues.
Supports Immune Function: By improving lymph flow, MLD helps your body filter and eliminate bacteria, toxins, and waste products more efficiently, supporting your immune system.
Promotes Detoxification: MLD helps your body's natural detoxification process by moving toxins and waste toward elimination pathways.
Post-Surgery Recovery: MLD is commonly used after surgery to reduce swelling, minimize scar tissue formation, and speed healing. It's particularly beneficial after cosmetic procedures, lymph node removal, or orthopedic surgery.
Pain Relief: By reducing swelling and inflammation, MLD can help relieve pain associated with fluid retention and tissue congestion.
Skin Health: Improved lymphatic drainage can enhance skin appearance, reduce puffiness, and support overall skin health.
Stress Reduction: The gentle, rhythmic nature of MLD is deeply relaxing and can help reduce stress and anxiety.
Improved Circulation: While focusing on lymph flow, MLD also supports healthy blood circulation throughout your body.
Scar Tissue Management: MLD can help reduce scar tissue formation and improve the appearance and flexibility of existing scars.
Your manual lymphatic drainage session at Healing Hands begins with a discussion of your health history and the reasons you're seeking MLD. Your therapist will ask about:
You'll undress to your comfort level and lie on a massage table. Unlike traditional massage, you may remain partially clothed or wear light clothing, as MLD works through the skin's surface layer.
The treatment begins with gentle work on your neck area, where major lymph nodes are located. This "opens" the drainage pathways. Your therapist then works systematically through your body using very light, specific strokes.
The pressure used in MLD is extremely gentle—about the weight of a nickel. The movements are slow, rhythmic, and repetitive. If you're used to deep tissue massage, MLD will feel surprisingly light. This light touch is intentional and necessary to effectively move lymph fluid.
MLD follows the natural flow of your lymphatic system, always working in the direction lymph flows toward your lymph nodes. The session focuses on areas of congestion or swelling while also treating your whole lymphatic system.
Most clients find MLD deeply relaxing. The gentle, repetitive movements often induce a meditative state or sleep.
60 Minutes - $110
Our standard MLD session. Enough time to work your entire lymphatic system with focus on areas of concern. Most effective for addressing specific swelling or supporting recovery.
90 Minutes - $165
Extended MLD session allowing comprehensive work throughout your entire lymphatic system. Ideal for significant swelling, post-surgery recovery, or whole-body detoxification support.
120 Minutes - $220
Our longest MLD session for complex cases, severe lymphedema, or clients who benefit from extended treatment time. Often recommended for post-cancer treatment or significant surgical recovery.
We offer discounted packages for regular MLD sessions:
Packages are ideal for ongoing lymphedema management, chronic conditions requiring regular treatment, or extended post-surgical recovery.
Manual lymphatic drainage helps people dealing with:
Post-Surgical Swelling: If you've had surgery—particularly cosmetic surgery, lymph node removal, joint replacement, or any procedure causing significant swelling—MLD can significantly reduce recovery time and discomfort.
Lymphedema: People with primary or secondary lymphedema benefit greatly from regular MLD sessions. This is often recommended as part of complete decongestive therapy.
Chronic Swelling: If you have persistent swelling in your legs, arms, or other areas, MLD can help reduce fluid accumulation.
Post-Cancer Treatment: After cancer treatment involving lymph node removal or radiation, MLD can help manage lymphedema risk and support recovery.
Injury Recovery: Sports injuries, sprains, and other injuries often involve significant swelling. MLD can help reduce this swelling and speed healing.
Chronic Venous Insufficiency: People with poor circulation in their legs often have fluid retention. MLD can help.
Fibromyalgia: Some fibromyalgia patients find relief through regular MLD sessions.
Auto-Immune Conditions: MLD may support immune function for people with auto-immune conditions.
Before and After Cosmetic Procedures: MLD before surgery can prepare your body, and after surgery it reduces swelling and bruising, improving results.
General Wellness: Even without specific conditions, MLD supports your immune system and natural detoxification processes.
Manual lymphatic drainage is particularly beneficial after surgical procedures:
Cosmetic Surgery: After facelifts, liposuction, tummy tucks, breast surgery, or other cosmetic procedures, MLD reduces swelling and bruising, minimizes scar tissue, and improves results.
Orthopedic Surgery: After knee replacement, hip replacement, or other orthopedic procedures, MLD helps reduce swelling and supports healing.
Lymph Node Removal: If you've had lymph nodes removed (often during cancer treatment), MLD helps manage lymphedema risk and supports remaining lymph pathways.
Dental Surgery: After major dental work, MLD can reduce facial swelling.
Any Surgery Causing Swelling: Even minor surgeries can benefit from MLD to reduce post-operative swelling and support healing.
Timing: MLD can often begin within days after surgery (with your doctor's approval). The earlier you start, the better the results.
Always get your surgeon's approval before scheduling post-surgical MLD.
Lymphedema is chronic swelling caused by impaired lymphatic drainage. It most commonly affects arms or legs but can occur anywhere.
Primary Lymphedema: Caused by developmental abnormalities in your lymphatic system.
Secondary Lymphedema: Caused by damage to your lymphatic system from surgery, radiation, infection, or trauma.
MLD is a cornerstone of lymphedema treatment. It's often part of Complete Decongestive Therapy (CDT), which includes:
For lymphedema management, MLD sessions are typically more frequent—often weekly or bi-weekly—and may need to continue indefinitely. Your therapist can work with your doctor or lymphedema specialist to create an appropriate treatment plan.
Post-Surgery Recovery:
Multiple sessions close together (2-3 times per week) for the first few weeks after surgery, gradually decreasing frequency as swelling resolves.
Lymphedema Management:
Weekly or bi-weekly ongoing sessions to manage chronic lymphedema. Some clients need regular MLD indefinitely.
Injury Recovery:
2-3 sessions per week initially, decreasing as swelling and healing progress.
General Wellness and Detoxification:
Monthly or quarterly MLD sessions support immune function and natural detoxification.
Before Major Events:
A single MLD session before travel, events, or situations where swelling might occur.
Your therapist can recommend the appropriate frequency based on your specific situation.
Manual lymphatic drainage is very different from traditional massage:
Manual Lymphatic Drainage:
Traditional Massage:
At Healing Hands, our manual lymphatic drainage sessions use proper MLD techniques—not just light massage. Our therapists understand lymphatic anatomy and the specific movements required to effectively move lymph fluid.
While MLD is gentle and safe for most people, certain conditions require caution or medical clearance:
Contraindications (do not receive MLD without doctor approval):
Requires Medical Clearance:
Always inform your therapist of all medical conditions. We're happy to coordinate with your healthcare providers.
All our massage therapists at Healing Hands are licensed by the State of Maine and trained in manual lymphatic drainage techniques.
Heather Gilbert, LMT (Owner)
Experienced in MLD and understands lymphatic system anatomy and therapeutic applications.
Leigh S., LMT
Skilled in gentle yet effective MLD techniques for swelling reduction and immune support.
James R., LMT
Trained in proper lymphatic drainage pathways and specialized MLD movements.
When you book online, you can choose your preferred therapist. Each brings knowledge and care to your MLD session.
Why is MLD so gentle compared to regular massage?
Lymph vessels are very close to your skin's surface and have thin, delicate walls. Heavy pressure would collapse these vessels and prevent lymph flow. The extremely light pressure used in MLD is what's needed to effectively move lymph fluid without damaging vessels.
Will I see results after one session?
Many clients notice reduced swelling after a single MLD session, particularly for acute post-surgical swelling or injury. For chronic conditions like lymphedema, multiple sessions are typically needed to see significant improvement.
Can I get MLD if I've had cancer?
Yes, with your doctor's approval. MLD is commonly used for lymphedema management after cancer treatment. If you're currently in cancer treatment, discuss MLD with your oncologist first.
How long do MLD results last?
For acute swelling (post-surgery, injury), results can be lasting as healing progresses. For chronic lymphedema, regular ongoing sessions are typically needed to maintain results.
Should I drink water after MLD?
Yes. Drinking plenty of water after MLD helps your body flush the toxins and waste products that have been moved into your system for elimination.
Can MLD help with weight loss?
No. MLD reduces swelling from excess fluid—not fat. While you might measure smaller after MLD due to reduced fluid retention, this isn't fat loss or weight loss.
Is MLD covered by insurance?
Sometimes. MLD prescribed by a doctor for medical conditions like lymphedema may be covered by some insurance plans. Check with your provider. We can provide receipts for insurance or HSA/FSA reimbursement.
Can I exercise after MLD?
Yes. Gentle exercise can actually help maintain MLD results by supporting continued lymph flow. Avoid intense exercise immediately after treatment.
Manual lymphatic drainage is based on solid understanding of lymphatic system anatomy and physiology:
Lymphatic System Function: Your lymphatic system collects waste, excess fluid, and toxins from tissues throughout your body. This lymph fluid travels through vessels to lymph nodes where it's filtered before returning to your bloodstream.
Pressure Requirements: Research shows that lymph vessels respond best to light, rhythmic pressure. Heavy pressure collapses these vessels and inhibits lymph flow.
Directional Flow: Lymph flows in specific directions through your body toward major lymph node clusters. MLD follows these natural pathways.
Proven Effectiveness: Research supports MLD's effectiveness for reducing post-surgical swelling, managing lymphedema, and supporting recovery from various conditions.
Immune Benefits: By improving lymph flow, MLD helps your body filter and eliminate waste products more efficiently, supporting immune function.
Healing Hands Massage is conveniently located in Hampden, Maine at 586 Main Road North, Suite A. We serve clients throughout the greater Bangor area including Hampden, Bangor, Brewer, Orono, Old Town, and all of Eastern Maine.
Our peaceful, professional environment provides the perfect setting for your manual lymphatic drainage session. Free parking, wheelchair accessibility, and flexible scheduling make it easy to incorporate MLD into your recovery or wellness plan.
