Medical - Lymphatic Drain
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Description
This gentle pressure point massage reduces puffiness, eases sinus
pressure and helps to drain toxins from the system. Your lymphatic system is
manually activated to promote good Health and relaxation.
Key Benefits
- toxin drainage initiated
- accelerates natural healing
- eases sinus pressure
- beneficially affects the nervous, immune and muscular systems
Treatment Data
Please read this additional information...
Definition
Lymphatic drainage is a therapeutic method that uses massage-like
manipulations to stimulate lymph movement. Lymph is the plasma-like fluid
that maintains the body's fluid balance and removes bacteria. Combined with
other techniques of complete decongestive physiotherapy, it is used to treat
lymphedema, swelling in the limbs caused by lymph accumulation.
Precautions
Any patient who has undergone cancer surgery and experiences sudden
swelling after lymphatic drainage should stop treatment and be examined by a
medical doctor. Treatment should also be stopped if infection of the
lymphatic vessels occurs. The U.S. National Lymphedema Network recommends
that patients taking anticoagulants for vascular disease be first checked
for blood clots using ultrasound or other technology, and followed closely
during the treatment. Congestive heart failure patients who may not be able
to tolerate excessive movement of lymph need close monitoring also. If any
pain is associated with lymphatic drainage, the treatment should stop until
either the source is discovered or the pain goes away.
Side effects
There are concerns that lymphatic drainage and associated techniques
could cause cancer to spread in patients with recurrent or metastatic
disease.
Research & general acceptance
Lymphatic drainage has enjoyed widespread acceptance in Europe for
several decades, and is gaining acceptance within the North American medical
establishment.
Training & certification
Lymphatic drainage therapy procedures are most commonly done by
osteopaths, chiropractors, physical therapists, occupational therapists,
massage therapists, and nurses. Training is available from a number of
institutions, and typically involves about 30-130 hours. The Florida-based
Academy of Lymphatic Studies offers certification in manual lymph drainage
and complete decongestive therapy.
Further Reading
For Your Information
Organizations
- National Lymphedema Network. Latham Square, 1611 Telegraph Avenue,
Suite 1111, Oakland, CA 94612-2138. (800) 541-3259.
http://www.lymphnet.org .
Source: Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine. Gale
Group, 2001.
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