The Straight Facts on Manual Lymphatic Drainage

When a celebrity speaks publicly about the positive results they have experienced with manual lymphatic drainage, the telltale sign is that my schedule begins to fill with new clients scheduling manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) sessions. Lizzo, Ashley Roberts, Dua Lipa, Kim Kardashian, Selena Gomez, Kendall Jenner and Jennifer Aniston have all touted the benefits of MLD. But exactly what is MLD and is it effective?

The lymphatic system and the science behind the “magic” To understand manual lymphatic drainage, we need to first understand our amazing lymphatic system, which plays a vital supporting role in our immune, digestive and cardiovascular systems. It consists of organs and vessels that move lymphatic fluid through our lymph nodes and then return it to our bloodstream. Lymphatic fluid consists of excess water, proteins, cells, waste products and fats that have leaked from our blood vessels into our tissues. Our lymphatic system pulls in that excess fluid and filters and cleans it through our lymph nodes and returns it back to the cardiovascular system. There are an estimated 600-700 lymph nodes in the human body!

The process and what you can expect during a session As a certified manual lymphatic drainage therapist, I received training in the Vodder method, the first manual lymphatic drainage technique. It was developed by the Danish couple Dr. Emil Vodder and Dr. Estrid Vodder in the 1930s. It uses gentle, rhythmic movements to stimulate the lymphatic system. It feels like a gentle stretching of the skin and most people find it deeply relaxing. It is widely recognized as one of the most effective methods for reducing swelling, detoxifying the body, and supporting the body’s immune function. Before the hands-on portion of the session begins, we review your medical history and goals and decide on a plan for the session.

What you can expect after a session. You can expect to feel deeply relaxed or even sluggish. This is a normal response because MLD helps shift the body into a parasympathetic nervous system state, one of rest and digest. It can mean more restful sleep.

Some individuals may feel mildly fatigued. This can happen because your lymphatic system will be working faster and harder than previously and that takes energy. Your organs that detox (liver, kidneys, etc.) are working to eliminate the things your body doesn’t need through sweat, feces and urine. And this process will be stimulated for 24-48 hours post-session. This means that you may have more frequent bathroom visits as your body eliminates the waste.

Tips before and after The best things you can do for your body pre and post-session are to eat healthy and nourishing foods, stay hydrated and get plenty of restful sleep. Light stretching and gentle movement also help support your body. Any movement that will move the joints of the body are beneficial.

Conditions that benefit from MLD include sprains, whiplash, post-surgical swelling (like joint replacements, tooth extractions, cosmetic surgeries, breast reductions or augmentations), fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma, complex regional pain syndrome, migraines and sinus headaches, tinnitus, fibrocystic breast disease, Lyme disease, diabetes, Parkinsons disease, multiple sclerosis, lupus, inflammation, traumatic brain injuries and lymphedema.

Is there anyone who should hold off on receiving MLD? Yes, there are some conditions that would warrant holding off on receiving MLD. Some of those conditions include any recent immunization (such as ones for Covid, flu, shingles) or medical injection (such as, cortisone or botox). MLD speeds up the lymphatic system and the processing of substances in our body and these injected substances should hang around in our system for awhile so that our bodies can reap their benefits. Anyone in the early stages of a cold, fever, or bacterial /viral infection should hold off on an MLD session as it would increase the symptoms and their intensity and make you feel significantly worse.

And there are some conditions for which MLD is contraindicated, meaning it should not be performed. Those include acute cellulitis, untreated congestive heart failure, acute untreated deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and fever due to infection. Individuals with active cancer or kidney disease will need clearance from their doctors.

Is there more than one type of lymphatic massage? Yes and they differ in their techniques, goals and results. MLD focuses on therapeutic, clinical benefits of reducing swelling, detoxifying and encouraging medical healing. Brazilian Lymphatic Massage (BLM) focuses on aesthetic sculpting with immediate contouring, slimming and bloat reduction. MLD uses no oils or lotions and gentle, skin-stretching pressure for gradual results and supports the body’s natural healing process over time. The Brazilian method uses vigorous strokes, often with oils or lotions, that are deep and fast to encourage immediate drainage. BLM provides instant aesthetic results, but these may not be as long-lasting or medically beneficial, depending on the individual’s condition.
As a certified manual lymphatic drainage therapist trained in the Vodder method, I practice manual lymphatic drainage.


So can you expect the same results as celebrities? One thing to keep in mind when seeing the dramatic effects celebrities have experienced is to know that many receive Brazilian Lymphatic Massage (BLM). Another thing to keep in mind when seeing celebrities’ dramatic effects is that many have personal trainers and nutritionists working with them. They are working out - sometimes for hours (yes, plural) - every day. They are incorporating many different health and wellness practices into their daily routines and they are doing the work. MLD is a part of that equation, not the single variable.

As Lizzo so aptly stated in an Instagram post in July 2025 in her keeping-it-real style, she posted before and after photos of herself and stated that she works hard to achieve her results by incorporating regular exercise in the form of strength training and Pilates; hiring a chef and making dietary changes by moving toward whole foods, eating more protein, cutting out sugary drinks and alcohol, drinking water, and eating balanced meals; and regularly receiving holistic bodywork sessions including wood therapy and lymphatic massage. So, yes, lymphatic drainage played a part in Lizzo’s transformation and it was one part of many.

How often should you receive an MLD session? The frequency of MLD sessions depends on the individual’s needs and goals. Some benefit from weekly sessions, while others may only need them once or twice a month. For example, post-surgical clients often need multiple weekly sessions within the first few weeks to manage swelling and to speed recovery. Individuals living with chronic conditions, like lymphedema or autoimmune conditions, may require ongoing maintenance treatments weekly or biweekly. Individuals looking for general wellness and optimal functioning of the lymphatic system often benefit from monthly sessions.

Regardless of the frequency, one of the keys to seeing results with MLD is consistency. Consistent self-care at home and regular sessions by a certified manual lymphatic drainage therapist or certified lymphedema therapist are important for long-term results.