Pre and Post Surgery
Dr Vodder’s Manual Lymph Drainage (MLD) reduces pain, swelling, inflammation and bruising. MLD can facilitate faster recovery resulting in less down time.
Post-surgical work requires careful application and precise technique to ensure the treatment remains pain-free, is effective and does not disrupt tissue healing or undermine the surgeon’s work.
Kim has completed advanced training courses required to work safely with clients undergoing plastic surgery and has a special interest in working with people leading up to and recovering from surgery.
Treatments are tailored to suit the client’s individual circumstances and needs and may include:
The effects of Dr Vodder’s Manual Lymph Drainage (MLD) are well researched and the efficacy of MLD applied post surgically has been demonstrated numerous times and the benefits, particularly in reduction of post-surgical oedema,1 is widely accepted. The known effects of MLD2,3,4,9 and the very light techniques support the application of MLD not only post-procedure to aid recovery, but also pre-operatively as a preparatory measure.
The lymphatic system plays an essential role in proper immune function and wound healing. There are many papers discussing the effects of MLD in post-operative applications but few that document pre-surgical treatment. Ebert et al (2013) conducted a randomized trial investigating the efficacy of manual lymphatic drainage to improve early outcome after total knee arthroplasty demonstrated an increase in ROM and QoL5. Blog posts by Jan Douglass, a Certified Level 2 Instructor with Vodder Schools International, also discuss the use of MLD pre-operatively6 and document a remarkable outcome after receiving intensive MLD treatment leading up to and following a total knee replacement.7
With the addition of energy (ie the shearing forces and repetition created by the Vodder technique), thixotropic changes take place in the connective tissue causing the interstitial fluid to move from a gel to a more sol state.8 The resulting freer movement of fluid facilitates reduction of oedema as well as the removal of waste and inflammatory markers. Less congestion in the tissues allows for the replenishing of nutrition to the cells and free movement of immune cells2 and has a positive influence on muscle repair and muscle fatigue.9
Mislin 1984 – showed an increase in the stretch along and across the lymphangion increased the rate of pulsation. The Vodder techniques use a two-way stretch applied along and across the lymph vessels to activate the stretch reflex and increase lymphangiomotoricity.2
Hutzschenreuter demonstrated that the slow, gentle, and rhythmic nature of MLD has a calming effect on the sympathetic nervous system which in turn relaxes the smooth muscle of the blood and lymph vessels resulting in a faster rate of pulsation of the lymph vessels. He called this the sympathicolytic effect. The calming of the sympathetic nervous system is conducive to healing.
The above points support preoperative MLD treatment as a good preparatory option for the proactive client looking to achieve the best possible outcome.
Low level laser therapy (LLLT) is the use of light in the treatment of various conditions. The laser light penetrates the skin and diffuses in the tissue. It is absorbed by cells where it is converted into energy.10 LLLT has been shown to be useful in treating muscular skeletal pain and lymphoedema and is a complimentary treatment to manual lymph drainage.11,12
Wearing the correct compression is essential post surgery to reduce swelling. Poorly fitting compression can be ineffective if too loose or create a tourniquet effect and cut off lymph flow if too tight. It is important to follow your surgeons instructions about wearing compression. Kim has access to quality compression garments and a good supply of bandages and will work to your surgeon’s protocols.
Lymph taping uses kinesiology tape that has the same elastic properties as the skin and is applied using a specialised technique to increase lymph flow and compliment the effects of manual lymph drainage.13
Kim is happy to discuss treatment with your surgeon and work within your surgeon’s standard protocols.
- Pavlov, N. and Pechalova, P., 2016. Manual lymphatic drainage techniques reduces postoperative facial swelling after third molar surgery.
- Textbook of Dr Vodder’s Manual Lymph Drainage A Practical Guide, Wittlinger 2011. Georg Thieme Verlag
- Kim SJ. Effects of manual lymph drainage on the activity of sympathetic nervous system, anxiety, pain, and pressure pain threshold in subjects with psychological stress. The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy. 2014;26(6):391-7.
- Hutzschenreuter P, Ehlers R. [Effect of manual lymph drainage on the autonomic nervous system]. Z Lymphol 1986 12;10(2):58-60
- Ebert JR, Joss B, Jardine B, Wood DJ. Randomized trial investigating the efficacy of manual lymphatic drainage to improve early outcome after total knee arthroplasty. Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitation. 2013 Nov 1;94(11):2103-11.
- Douglass, J., 2021. MLD and Total Knee Replacement, #TalkingLymph Blog, movinglymph.com.au/post/mld-and-total-knee-replacement
- Douglass, J., 2021. Update on my Mum’s new knee , #TalkingLymph Blog, movinglymph.com.au/post/mums-new-knee
- Cowman MK, Schmidt TA, Raghavan P, Stecco A. Viscoelastic Properties of Hyaluronan in Physiological Conditions. F1000Res. 2015 Aug 25;4:622. doi: 10.12688/f1000research.6885.1. PMID: 26594344; PMCID: PMC4648226
- Schingale, F.J., Esmer, M., Küpeli, B. and Ünal, D., 2022. Investigation of the Less Known Effects of Manual Lymphatic Drainage: A Narrative Review. Lymphatic Research and Biology, 20(1), pp.7-10.
- Karu TI. Cellular and molecular mechanisms of photobiomodulation (low-power laser therapy). IEEE Journal of Selected Topics in Quantum Electronics. 2013 Sep 18;20(2):143-8.
- Cotler HB, Chow RT, Hamblin MR, Carroll J. The use of low level laser therapy (LLLT) for musculoskeletal pain. MOJ orthopedics & rheumatology. 2015;2(5).
- Tumilty SJ. Low level laser therapy for the treatment of tendinopathy with emphasis on the achilles tendon (Doctoral dissertation, University of Otago).
- Malicka, I., Rosseger, A., Hanuszkiewicz, J. and Woźniewski, M., 2014. Kinesiology Taping reduces lymphedema of the upper extremity in women after breast cancer treatment: a pilot study. Menopause Review/Przegląd Menopauzalny, 13(4), pp.221-226.