How To Get the Most Out of Your Lymphatic Drainage Therapy Sessions

Here are some reasons to choose LDT:

• Health maintenance
• Seasonal allergies
• Pain relief/reduction (neck pain, lower back, sciatica, etc.)
• Post trauma symptoms (headaches, vertigo, swelling, stiffness, etc.)
• Chronic or recurring infections (bronchitis, bladder infections, etc.)
• Chronic asthma
• Muscle spasms or cramps
• Scars/Fibrosis
• Pre-surgery (prepares the tissue for the intervention, drains the tissue, clears the lymph pathways before the post-surgical edema)
• Post-surgery
• For surgery involving removing lymph nodes
• Pre and post radiation therapy

Are there times when LDT is not recommended?

Yes. LDT is not recommended when you are in an acute period of inflammation such as during a flare up of fibromyalgia, gout, rheumatoid arthritis, asthma attack, acute allergies or fever. LDT is NOT performed if there are serious circulatory problems (aneurysm, thrombosis, phlebitis, venous obstruction) and if there are major cardiac problems (acute angina, and severe, uncontrolled congestive heart failure) and if there is active internal bleeding/hemorrhaging.

What is a Lymph Drainage Therapy session with Anna like?

Your LDT session with Anna is performed in a warm, quiet environment conducive to deep relaxation and healing. You usually do not need to undress completely. It’s best to wear comfortable, loose fitting clothing that is not silky or too heavy (e.g. heavy jeans or trousers). Anna does a global assessment first to determine the areas where the tissues are more restricted and/or the lymph is more congested. She then creates a treatment plan of which areas to concentrate on in that session. LDT always includes stimulating the lymph flow of some of the main lymph node basins (base of neck, armpits, and groin) and a combination of superficial (skin layer) and deep (organs, muscles, rib cage etc) drainage. The drainage is performed by gentle rhythmic strokes. This is usually very relaxing. The pressure applied varies depending on which part of the body is being worked on. For example, very light touch is used on the delicate skin of the face and around the eyes, more pressure on deeper structures like the liver, lungs, large intestine, etc. As the lymph starts to flow, there can be a sensation of cold fluid moving through the tissues and you may need a blanket to keep warm.

How can I best prepare for my LDT session?

If possible, eat a clean diet (free of processed foods and additives) with lots of fresh fruits and vegetables in the days preceding your appointment. Drink plenty of clear liquids (filtered water, organic teas, etc.) to hydrate your body before and after your session to help with the elimination of toxins. As mentioned above, dress in clothing that is easy for the therapist to work through, or dress in layers and remove the heavier clothing.

What can I expect to experience after my LDT session?

You may or may not have any post-treatment reactions in the 24 to 72 hours after your session. You may want to sleep a lot or you may experience sluggishness or muscle aches. This simply means toxins are being eliminated from your body. It is common to urinate more often and sometimes also have a clearing of the bowels as well. After the initial period of tiredness, you may have a feeling of renewed vigour and energy. Usually, you will feel very relaxed after your session, and it is ideal if you can have a light schedule after your appointment to prolong the benefits of that relaxation.

What is the recommended length and frequency of LDT sessions?

This depends on your health goals/needs. Shorter sessions (thirty minutes) are recommended at first to minimize any detox reactions. Sessions with Anna will often be combined with craniosacral therapy (because CST helps to prepare the tissues for lymph drainage), so it is okay to book for longer than thirty minutes, even for your first session.

To address chronic long-term issues, you would consider three to five weekly sessions, followed by maintenance sessions scheduled four to six weeks apart.

Please note that if you have been diagnosed with lymphedema, your treatment protocol would vary depending on the stage of lymphedema (one to three). Please contact Anna for specific recommendations.