How MLD (lymphatic massage) supports your fertility
How MLD (lymphatic) massage supports your fertility
This week I am talking about an AMAZING form of massage called Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) and how it can support your fertility, assisted conception procedures, long Covid symptoms, auto immune health conditions, during pregnancy and post-baby too.
MLD (lymphatic) massage and fertility
Lymphatic massage is both deeply relaxing but also a therapeutic form of massage. It is detoxifying & immune-balancing but totally unlike any other form of massage you may have experienced. Lymphatic massage uses specific and repetitive finger movements to gently pump the lymphatic system to help cleanse the body; whether that it preparing for a conception; during or post pregnancy or due to a chronic health complaint. I have found it ideal support tool for both natural and assisted fertility. It is a great option for those who enjoy massage, reflexology and far infrared therapies. Within my clinic I intensify the treatments by warming the lymph before and during the treatment using far infrared therapy – plus I use my Creation Fertility Toolkit alongside it and include mindful breathing techniques including vagus nerve breathing to encourage the lymph to flow.
How MLD lymphatic massage supports your fertility
- Encourages detoxification – especially post operative; or when preparing for IVF (pre-fertility cleansing) or during a pre-pregnancy cleanse. It is fantastic support in between fertility treatments to cleanse the assisted conception trauma and medications.
2. Stimulates boost and re-balances the immune system. I really believe that manual lymphatic massage combined with far infrared therapy is an excellent form of support for the immune system. If you have been unfortunate enough to
suffer with Covid then I am sure you will appreciate how the fatigue; residual symptoms and general lack of vitality and vibrancy can affect you. You may also be interested to know that the World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that about one in 10 COVID-19 patients continue to suffer from symptoms 12 weeks after the acute phase of the infection. With this in mind I was interested to read a research article on long covid and the lymphatic system. It is good to know that lymphatic massage is at last being recognised from scientists for it’s immune support. From a fertility perspective not only will long Covid reduce your ability to conceive but will also delay any assisted conception procedure which you may have had planned – as does a recent visit to a country associated with Zika virus. So – I personally would recommend a course of manual lymphatic drainage to boost your immune system and get you back on track. It is also really useful if you have been diagnosed with an auto immune disorder such as hypothyroid or Hashimoto’s thyroid, or are experiencing eczema, or have been diagnosed with coeliac, Chron’s or colitis? Lymphatic massage supports all these conditions. Within my clinic I often use it to support all these conditions and also after an intralipid treatment.
3. I have found it very useful to relieve inflammatory conditions including mastitis and breastfeeding discomfort, bronchitis, sinusitis, ear nose and throat disorders, upper respiratory disorders including asthma, irritable bowel or gut health diseases and disorders, post baby birthing issues, inflammatory joint pains, sports injuries and helps to calm endometriosis (especially combined with castor oil packs or ginger compresses).
4. It’s anti spasmodic actions helps to relieve menstrual cramps, irritable bowel, constipation and SIBO plus helpful when menstruation is close, ease endometriosis or encourage ovulation (as discussed above) with sticky eggs, poly cystic ovaries or poly cystic ovary syndrome and support post miscarriage.
5. Lymphatic massage to help balance hormones and regulate menstruation. I have found my lymphatic massage treatments very useful to prepare for pregnancy or pre IVF, post IVF or assisted conception procedure, or if you have suffered a miscarriage. If you suffer with endometriosis, poly cystic, fibroids, mastitis, fibro cystic breasts and any oestrogen excess/deficient health disorders manual lymphatic drainage massage helps reduce pain and regulate your cycle. Of course, a complete health programme would be ideal so always consider a nutrition programme too.
6. Helps reduce chronic pain – especially useful after surgery of if you have any chronic complaint including joint pain, painful breasts, mastitis and it’s magnificent post baby too.
7. It encourages cellular and tissue regeneration – including all forms of scar tissue so excellent when you have undergone investigative procedures or surgery including a hysteroscopy, colposcopy, biopsy, hysterectomy, laparoscopy, hydrotubation, c-section etc. I have found MLD (manual lymphatic drainage) combined with far infrared therapy useful as part of a programme to reduce stretch marks and scar tissue and can be used to reduce unsightly cellulite too.
8. Pre-egg collection It is a fantastic alternative to reflexology or acupuncture (I often combine it with fertility abdominal massage or healing/reiki)
9. Reduces water retention and relieves fluid congestion. This can be very helpful during the run up to egg transfer; if you suffer with pre menstrual water retention and during the 3rd trimester of pregnancy or post c-section. It is very helpful to alleviate swelling in the legs and ankles.
10. Aids towards the reduction of the symptoms of chronic fatigue
11. Calms and restores – supports you both emotionally and physically. Excellent therapy if you suffer with anxiety, PMS or insomnia in any format. Also very useful during pregnancy.
Before we go on to talk about the lymphatic system here’s a video demonstrating a lymphatic treatment in the far infrared cocoon. Sorry this was some years ago I recorded this.
Put simply is the plumbing system of the body. It contains over 600 collection sites called lymph nodes which form a network running parallel to the blood system, pervading every tissue in the body. Lymphoid tissue is semi-solid and comprises of water, fats, proteins, salts, hormones, dead cells, immune system cells and lymphocytes. The job of the lymphocytes is to destroy bacteria, form lymphatic and blood cells and protect against disease. Essentially, the lymphatic system is a one way closed system which defends the body against attack and cleanses the tissues through drainage but a blocked lymphatic system is a breeding ground for pathogenic material. Due to our sedentary lifestyles, modern diet, disease, prescriptive medication, recurrent viral illnesses and even cosmetic, breast or lymphatic surgery we can develop a sluggish lymphatic system. When this happens we are unable to detox waste efficiently which can result in a build up of lymphocytes, macrophages, T-cells, B-cells and other infection-fighting material; viruses, fungi and bacteria. Unlike the circulatory system the lymphatic system has no pump; instead it depends on intrinsic contraction of the smooth muscle cells in the walls of the lymph vessels (peristalsis) and the movement of skeletal muscles to gently propel lymph towards the lymph nodes. Put simply, it needs to be massaged and pushed to manoeuvre around the body and re-circulate body fluids, release hormones and stimulate the immune system!
What affects the Lymphatic System?
Pollution of all forms including environmental
Radio active energy including x-rays, MRI’s etc
Antibiotics; intralipids, and other fertility and prescriptive medication
Preservatives in food and cosmetics
Pesticides
Social drugs, vaping, nicotine, alcohol, vaccination and travel jabs etc
By-products of an unhealthy lifestyle including poor food choices, processed and refined foods
Adrenal fatigue, stress, anxiety, depression and worry
Geographic pollutants including wi-fi, air conditioning, petro-chemicals and city living
Recurrent viral infections and vaccinations – there has been some great research of long covid and manual lymphatic massage
Autoimmune diseases including thyroid disorders and chronic illnesses including cancer
Exhaustion and fatigue
Surgery – cosmetic, assisted reproductive procedures, dental and much more including Botox
I offer a course of 6 MLD massage treatments with far infrared therapy and mindful breathing exercises supporting the vagus nerve for only £450 – that’s an amazing deal.
Justine Evans ND – Fertility Expert & Hormone Alchemist is the founder of Creation Fertility and its products. Justine offers a multi dimensional approach to fertility blending Nutritional Therapy with alchemy and yogic philosophy. Justine has a wealth of experience, knowledge and understanding in her field. With over 24 years experience, she is a registered Naturopath with a B.Sc in Nutritional Medicine, trained in the Vodder method of manual lymphatic drainage, is a Reiki Master/healer and has many body work qualifications including many forms of advanced massage, reflexology, womb yoga, womb wrapping/healing and is also a meditation teacher. Call 07747 133170 for more information.
Clinics in Stroud, Gloucestershire and Twickenham, Greater London
Other articles you may be interested in
2 fertility acupressure techniques to try
Justine Evans ND – Fertility Expert & Hormone Alchemist is the founder of Creation Fertility and its products. Justine offers a multi dimensional approach to fertility blending