Talking Lymph: News, Insights & Industry Updates

A field that was dominated by Swedish and Sports Massage when I entered, has expanded into a sophisticated array of bodywork specialties. Today, remedial and allied health professionals embrace a suite of modalities to address complex physiological needs. Some techniques, such as Manual Lymph Drainage (MLD) and Myotherapy, have moved from niche postgraduate studies to mainstream clinical essentials. New clinical groups have also emerged, reflecting the growth in medical aesth

Discover the non-negotiable role of Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) in the lymphedema maintenance phase. This article explores the consequences of neglecting MLD, focusing on the decline in health-related quality of life and the limitations of compression-only care, advocating for MLD as a vital, active component of long-term management.

Groundbreaking evidence that changed our fundamental understanding of fluid dynamics at the capillary was published by Mortimer and Levick in 1999 (1), However, the 'old' model, where most interstitial fluid was thought to be resorbed at the venous end of the capillary, is still being taught in most lymphatic programs, and even Chat GPT gets it wrong!

For health professionals in the aesthetic and plastic surgery space, achieving optimal client satisfaction involves a comprehensive, evidence-based post-operative recovery plan. While transient swelling is a usual and expected consequence of body-altering procedures, the management of early post-operative swelling and the integrity of the lymphatic system are paramount to skin rehabilitation, scar minimisation, and preventing long-term complications. MLD is rapidly emerging a

What happens in the gut does not stay in the gut. Instead, gut-derived signals, nutrients, microbes, toxins and immune messengers travel through the mesenteric lymphatics - the specialised lymph vessels that drain the intestines - to influence whole-body health. The Gut–Lymph Axis is now recognised as a major pathway for the regulation of inflammation, immune responses, metabolic health and even weight. This post highlights why the lymphatic system is essential for immunity a

The smell of Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) has long been synonymous with calm its essential oil diffused in clinics and homes alike for relaxation and sleep. But research shows this familiar smell conceals a potent pharmacological profile. Inflammation is the quiet architect of lymphatic dysfunction and Lavender’s essential oil contains a complex chemistry that directly targets inflammatory molecules involved in the development and persistence of lymphoedema.

When it comes to clinical practice, what matters most to real-world MLD therapists simply isn’t what’s being measured in “Level I evidence”. To understand this disconnect we need to revisit what evidence based practice really means. Evidence based therapy is a synthesis of research evidence, clinical experience and observation, in the context of the desired outcomes of the recipient. Relying on Level 1 evidence alone is just not enough. Yet systematic reviews and meta-analy

Across the world, people are living longer than ever before. By 2030, one in six people will be over the age of 60, and by 2050 the number of adults over 80 will triple to 426 million. While longevity is something to celebrate, it also brings challenges. MLD is well know for its benefits in managing lymphoedema, but but mounting evidence suggests it may also help address broader issues of healthy ageing, from skeletal muscular aches and pains to brain health.

Skin is meant to be touched It's natural for us to touch, hug and stroke those we love. These caring actions don't just maintain our social networks, they are rooted in biological processes which ensure the skin remains healthy, and that immune reactions favour would healing and tissue repair. MLD Therapists can harness this dynamic interaction to deliver treatment strategies that promote healing, improve patient outcomes, and foster overall well-being.

Every year on July 24, International Self-Care Day reminds us that self-care is a 24/7 necessity, not a luxury. But while the word “self-care” may conjure images of spa days and scented candles, the reality is far more powerful, and essential for those living with chronic pain.

With greater anatomical variability than other body system, the lymphatic vasculature can be difficult to represent in standard textbook diagrams. New students of lymphatic therapies often struggle to understand and memorise the location of the lymph vessels and nodes, however observation and research on guided imagery in the classrooms show that it can enhance relaxation and receptivity to learning, and lead to greater subject mastery through embodied, sensory-rich learning.

Although most surgical wounds will heal well, almost half will result in persistent post-surgical pain, with as many as 40% of post-op patients reporting symptoms consistent with neuropathic pain. Physiologically different to usual post-surgical pain which resolves naturally as tissue healing progresses, neuropathic pain is a complex and often misunderstood condition that may persist long after wound healing has occurred, and can significantly reduce quality of life (1,2)

The therapeutic use of essential oils is deeply rooted in ancient medicine where aromatic plants were revered for their scent, healing properties, and used in spiritual and purification practices.

Lymphoedema is a daily challenge, even for those with access to the best specialty care. For most, poverty, ignorance and stigma with amply

Explore how Manual Lymph Drainage (MLD) promotes wound healing through lymphangiogenesis, improves tissue repair, and reduces chronic wound

As many of us resolve to lose weight this year, it’s vital to consider how success is measured to avoid unrealistic goals and setbacks.

As the prevalence of MCAS rises, there is an increasing demand for supportive therapies to manage symptoms and reduce the inflammatory load,

The benefits of talking, laughing, and crying extend far beyond mere emotional expression. These natural acts enhance lymph flow, support ve

Misconceptions about the appropriate direction and pressure for lymphatic massage in lymphoedema abound, and a search of the world wide web

The unique structure and innervation of the facial skin contributes to specialised functions such as facial expressions and sensory percepti

mitigating excess scar formation is of paramount importance in allied health care, and MLD and Elastic Taping are two of the most effective

Lymphatic muscle cells are unique in the body, functioning like both smooth muscle and cardiac cells simultaneously.

Almost 50 years ago Prof. Dr. Paul Hutzschenreuter measured the effect of Dr Vodder's MLD on the sympathetic nervous system, noting a signif

Ask any Lymphatic Therapist where you can find research articles on any of the hundreds of conditions that benefit from MLD, and they will s

Understanding the role of the glymphatic system in neurodegenerative diseases opens up new avenues for therapeutic interventions and reinfor

The populatory of elastic taping among athletes and health professionals is visible across our sporting screens, and the use of elastic tape

In 30+ years of teaching lymphology, the topic most students struggle with in the beginning is the lymph pathways.

Lymphoedema is a skin disease. Untreated high protein oedema induces connective tissue changes, leading to significant skin pathology such

New initial lymph vessels grow according to the interstitial fluid pressure and strain on the fibres in the ECM. Fluid movement is crucial t

The intervention group then had a second treatment where the MLD was modified according to the individual imaging, while the control group h

MLD helps to minimize bruising and hematoma formation and reduce pain and discomfort associated with plastic or cosmetic surgery. By quickly

Adrian first became interested in lymphoedema management when his Grandmother suffered with swelling later in life. As a Physio, and appalle

Well obviously, not EVERYTHING, but ask that question of the client at the centre of this case study and they would give you a big "YES" and

Dr Vodder’s MLD uses gentle, repetitive skin movements to bring about change in the connective tissue. MLD stimulates the meissner’s corpus

The demand for level 1 studies is largely driven by academic needs, rather than tangible, clinically relevant outcomes.

There's nothing quite so satisfying as reading a well written paper which summarises everything interesting that we know about the lymph system. Wix stock image In this regard, the recent paper by Weber et al ( 1 ) is a good read for anyone fascinated by lymphatics, regardless of academic ability. Personally I can't help but make connections with the descriptions given, and what I know about lymphatic physiology and the effects of MLD. It's also very affirming when new unders

Whether it's long-COVID brain fog, frozen shoulder, or long-term inflammatory disease, Applied MLD offers a lymphatic approach to treatment.

An easy - and free - way for therapists to assess clinical progress is to use an analogue scale. Image by Volodymyr Hryshchenko on Unsplash This can be a numeric scale such as the one developed in 1932 by Rensis Likert ( 1 ) to measure attitudes. Typically a 5- or 7-point ordinal scale, respondents rate the degree to which they agree or disagree with a statement. It is essentially a rating scale, usually presented as a score between 1 - 5 or 1 - 10, where the person selects

There has been a lot of discussion lately around systematic reviews and RCTs on the effectiveness of MLD in our treatment mix. Measuring tre

Gentle stretching forces help resolve acute inflammation, and reduce pain and immune cell infiltrate. This has implications for those of us

Between COVID, climate change and the exponential growth of our connected world, it is obvious to me that we must now behave as as global co

Randomised controlled trials are not suited to assessing the effectiveness of treatments for lymphoedema and other choric diseases.

By now I knew that I was never going to be in a financial position to volunteer large chunks of my time to work in LF-endemic countries, so

Cerebral spinal fluid (CFS) is sometimes referred to as a 3rd circulation system, functioning as the lymphatic equivalent to clear wastes fr

... not surprising when you consider the strong links between lymphatic disease and fat disorders, they are reciprocal risk factors for each

Releasing a frozen shoulder makes it much easier to apply effective CDT in arm lymphoedema, and reducing piriformis pain will certainly help

Systematic reviews are an academic exercise to ‘systemically review’ the existing literature on a particular research question. They are ...

explain the scientific basis of the effects of MLD, the specific tissue or system effects achieved by individual techniques, and the expecte