Manual Lymphatic Drainage & Lymphoedema Therapy

Who can benefit from Manual Lymphatic Drainage?

Lymphoedema Therapy and MLD may be appropriate for people experiencing:

• Diagnosed primary or secondary lymphoedema
• Cancer-related lymphoedema
• Risk of developing lymphoedema following cancer treatment
• Swelling following lymph node removal or treatment
• Diagnosed lipoedema, particularly where swelling or lymphatic involvement is also present
• Post-operative swelling
• Breast surgery and breast reconstruction recovery
• Mastectomy or lumpectomy recovery
• Abdominal or pelvic surgery
• Reconstructive surgery
• Plastic and cosmetic surgery
• Persistent swelling following injury or surgery
• Tissue tightness, fibrosis or scar-related restrictions

Treatment is always adapted according to the person’s medical history, surgery, current treatment and stage of recovery.

Lipoedema Support

Lipoedema is a chronic condition that most commonly affects the legs and sometimes the arms. It may be associated with pain, tenderness, easy bruising, heaviness and changes in the distribution of fatty tissue.

For people who have been diagnosed with lipoedema, supportive treatment is individually tailored according to their symptoms and needs.

Where appropriate, care may include MLD, gentle hands-on therapy, education, and self-management strategies, particularly where swelling or secondary lymphatic involvement is present.

The aim is to support comfort, movement and ongoing management rather than diagnose the condition. If lipoedema is suspected but has not been medically diagnosed, the patient should discuss this with their GP or appropriate specialist for further assessment.

Post-Operative Care

Swelling, bruising, tightness and tissue changes can occur following many surgical procedures. Our specialised post-operative treatment may assist with:

• Managing swelling and fluid build-up
• Reducing feelings of heaviness and tightness
• Improving comfort during recovery
• Supporting tissue mobility
• Managing areas of firmness or fibrosis
• Improving movement around healing tissues and scars

Treatment timing depends on the type of surgery and stage of healing and patients are encouraged to follow their surgeon’s individual recommendations regarding when treatment can commence.

Scar Tissue Therapy

Scar tissue following surgery can sometimes contribute to tightness, restriction and reduced tissue mobility. Oncology Scar Tissue Therapy uses gentle, specialised manual techniques to work with scars and surrounding tissues. Treatment may assist with:

• Scar and surrounding tissue mobility
• Feelings of tightness or restriction
• Adhesions and areas of firmness
• Comfort and movement following surgery

Scar treatment is introduced according to the stage of healing and medical or surgical guidance where appropriate.

Deep Oscillation Therapy

Deep Oscillation Therapy may also be incorporated into selected lymphatic, lipoedema, post-operative and scar tissue treatments. It is a gentle electrostatic therapy that creates oscillations through the tissues without requiring deep pressure and may be used alongside MLD and Scar Tissue Therapy where clinically appropriate.

The pressure used during MLD is very light and treatment is adapted according to the patient’s health history, lymphatic system and reason for treatment.

Depending on the patient’s presentation, Remedial Massage and lymphatic techniques may sometimes be incorporated within the same treatment plan, with techniques selected according to the individual’s clinical needs.

Health Fund Rebates

Private health funds provide varying levels of cover for Manual Lymphatic Drainage treatment. Please contact your health fund for full details of these benefits.

Our lymphatic drainage therapists have completed post graduate lymphatic drainage training and are members of ANTA, MMA and MAA, the national professional bodies representing Myotherapists and Remedial Massage Therapists.