MLD - MANUAL LYMPHATIC DRAINAGE
In addition to being a Licensed Massage Therapist( LMT),
Valerie is also a Certified Lymphedema Therapist (CLT)
practicing Complete Decongestive Therapy (CDT)
& Certified Manual Lymphatic Drainage Therapist (CMLDT),
having trained under multiple lymphatic disciplines, and also with
The Norton School of Lymphatic Therapy at OSU Hospital.
Valerie has been in practice for 29+ years.
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VALERIE'S LYMPHATIC ARTICLES
What to Expect During an MLD Session
How Will I Feel After a Lymphatic Drainage Massage?
What is Lymphatic Fluid?
Understanding Lymphatic Flow
The Lymphatic System's "Gates"
Copper Deficiency & Lymphedema
Contraindications for Manual Lymphatic Drainage
CVI Management with Manual Lymphatic Drainage
Advanced Lymphedema - Fluid Seepage, Vessel Weakening & Long-Term Effects
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​PRE & POST-OPERATIVE CARE
Specializing in providing traditional (Vodder) & modern MLD Manual Lymphatic Drainage
as well as Medical Massage Therapy for both pre-op to prepare for surgery & all post-op lymphatic care.
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MLD can be utilized for a variety of conditions, including Lymphedema, Lipidema, Lipodermatosclerosis,
Diabetes, Venous Insufficiency, Cancer & various Autoimmune conditions,
general overall cleansing and reduction in fluid retention.
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FULL CIRCLE VITALITY MLD SESSIONS
Full Circle Vitality's MLD service will differ greatly from any traditional MLD you may have had in the past.
While German Vodder-style MLD is the main modality practiced in Valerie's MLD session,
it is far from the only one. MLD sessions in-studio were designed with the
end result in mind of greatly decreasing your lymphatic fluid overload for each treatment.
All modalities were carefully selected in the MLD session for your
absolute best results possible for maximum drainage.
Inclusive For Your MLD Session -
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​MLD
Internationally renowned traditional German Vodder-style + modern styles of MLD as well as MLD specific to your presenting medical condition OR pre & post-op care,
both of which utilize specific drainage techniques for swelling.
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AROMATHERAPY
Powerful essential oils are chosen for their therapeutic lymphatic drainage properties.
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ACUPRESSURE
Chinese medicine based on the concept of energy which flows through meridians in the body,
clearing blockages within these channels thereby helping the body to heal itself.
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MEDICAL CUPPING
Suction of the skin and fascia creating negative compression which is excellent for circulation
and releasing restrictions/adhesions/connective tissue.
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VIBRATINAL & CHI MOVEMENT THERAPY
In addition to deep diaphragmatic breathing in order to move lymph,
Vibrational and Chi Movement modalities are employed
to move the most lymph possible during this MLD treatment.
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ACOUSTIC WAVE THERAPY
Ideal for lymphatic drainage therapy as it stimulates lymphatic fluid movement,
reduces blockages & supports detoxification.
By enhancing circulation and reducing swelling,
it promotes a healthier immune system and overall well-being, all without discomfort or strain.
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PRE & POST OP
You may be assisted with post-op care instructions from your surgeon
to help you learn the proper steps for wearing your compressions, foams & boards.
Valerie is very knowledgeable in other products that may help during this time.
Should fibrosis develop during after care, you're in good hands!
Valerie has taken many courses to address this condition and is
certified in the removal/reduction of fibrotic conditions.
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Best results are achieved in scheduling your regular MLD
manual lymphatic drainage sessions
to begin directly before and shortly after your surgery date.
There is nothing set in stone for how many sessions you will need,
as this will be reassessed at each studio visit.
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Every patient is completely different in presenting with various individual needs,
so just generally speaking, treatment could look as follows -
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3x/week for 1-2 weeks
2x/week for 1-2 weeks
1x/week for 1-2 weeks
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You may choose to stop here if your swelling has subsided
or add 1x/week every other week for 1-2 weeks
and then 1x/month following that until there is no more swelling.
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You only require MLD for post-operative treatment while your body is in lymphatic overload,
predictably for around 2-3 months post surgery.
Valerie will work within your individual needs,
constantly re-evaluating those needs until treatment is no longer needed
and continuously updating you as to the status of where you are at with your healing post-op.
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Some patients heal faster than others and do not have to do
the full amount of recommended massages.
This can sometimes mean that patients
are released from post-op lymphatic drainage therapy after only a few sessions in-studio.
Plan to stick with your lymphatic treatment for 1-2 months post-op.
Know that you are in charge of your care and can stop absolutely anytime you like.
Fibrosis is usually discovered approximately 3 or more weeks post-op,
but can be apparent within the first 10 days following your surgery.
It is imperative to begin fibrosis treatments immediately with Valerie for best results.
Once fibrosis sets in, it can turn to hardened scar tissue - these are the "lumps & bumps"
that send clients back to their surgeons for revisions.
Now as hardened scar tissue, this is much more difficult for a trained therapist to remove
and here surgical intervention is most likely necessary following the period of hardening.
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PLEASE NOTE - Post-op care with Full Circle Vitality does not include
using tools with heavy pressure to painfully "push" fluid OR
squeezing fluids out of incisions OR extracting fluid via a needle/syringe.
There are many examples of these painful & dangerous practices online...
the terminology used to categorize this has very unfortunately
been referred to as lymphatic drainage massage, lymphatic massage,
and other names leading an unsuspecting public to believe they are receiving MLD.
This is NOT manual lymphatic drainage therapy no matter how they try to market it.
The fluid they are pushing out through incisions they re-open isn't even lymphatic fluid,
but they will tell their clients it is. Be aware.
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Traditional Manual Lymphatic Drainage Massage
is an extremely light touch, yet wonderfully profound therapy
that removes fluid from the body by channeling the overloaded post-op swelling
through the lymphatic system which is then urinated out.
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Unfortunately, there are people advertising post-op "care" who are not licensed therapists.
Please understand they have no certification from any of the reputable
lymphatic schools as these schools require you to be a health professional
in order to enroll in their lymphatic studies.
You must be an MD, OT, PT, Nurse or LMT to continue further
lymphatic education at these prestigious specialized schools.
Always do your own research and ask for credentials when securing your post-op therapist.
Your therapist should be an actual licensed massage therapist (LMT) with the Ohio State Medical Board
practicing massage therapy and in addition, be certified in MLD Manual Lymphatic Drainage therapy as a CMLDT.
No MLD session would ever consist of squeezing fluid out of incisions or extracting fluid via needle/syringe.
Should you develop a seroma during your recovery,
only a nurse or your surgeon should be removing this fluid from your body.
