Manual lymph drainage Munich:
Gentle improvement of the lymph flow
Your practice for manual lymphatic drainage in the center of Munich. Our physiotherapists help to improve lymph flow.
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Treatment
Manual lymphatic drainage is a gentle treatment to improve lymph flow. In practice, rhythmic pressure pulses are used to promote the drainage of tissue fluid via the venous and lymphatic system. In contrast to conventional massage, the focus is not on stimulating the circulation, but on pretreating the areas of the abdomen, neck and the affected lymph node accumulations. Precisely in these areas to be treated, where a regulated outflow is to be prepared. In the acute stage of the disease, daily treatment is recommended; once the swelling has subsided, up to two massage sessions per week are sufficient.
During manual lymphatic drainage in Munich, the tissue is stimulated by special rhythmic rotating, pumping and scooping movements along the lymph channels. Light pressure is applied to the affected area until the accumulated fluid is released from the tissue into the lymphatic system and drained away. Gentle massage of the subcutaneous tissue usually helps, but there are also exceptions, such as acute edema, where massage is applied to the deeper lymph strands.
The effects of manual lymphatic drainage are fairly identical in practice, but differ in the areas of application. On the one hand, gentle pressure massages have a calming effect on the autonomic nervous system and strengthen the immune system. For physical complaints, lymph drainage provides pleasant drainage and de-oedematization. All treatment measures have a soothing effect and relieve pain.
However, manual lymphatic drainage therapy in Munich can do much more. Numerous persistent, chronic diseases in the ENT area can be positively influenced by gentle and very fine massage techniques. Whether chronic sinusitis, tinnitus or stress situations – this method has an excellent effect on the vegetative nervous system and achieves wonderful deep relaxation. Ideal for preventive measures and to prevent burn-out syndrome.
Disease patterns
The indications for manual lymphatic drainage are extremely varied and affect numerous different physiological functions of the body. As an essential component of physiotherapy, this form of treatment represents an alternative or at least an important supplement to conventional therapy measures.
- Lymphoedema of the extremities
- Traumatic injuries such as torn muscle fibers, dislocation, distortion, hematoma
- Scar treatment
- Treatment of the rheumatic form
- Osteoarthritis
- Sudeck’s dystrophy
- Post-thrombotic syndrome
- Pregnancy
- Fibromyalgia, cellulitis, scleroderma, mastodynia
However, acute infections and thromboses with a risk of embolism are contraindicated. Disease patterns for which therapy can begin with precautionary measures are:
- Hypotension
- Chronic inflammation
- Bronchial asthma
- Thyroid dysfunction
- Edema as a result of carcinoma therapy or cardiac decompensation
In the case of oedema in the extremities, the manual application of lymphatic drainage can have a
can lead to a significant improvement in general well-being. The combination of compression bandaging, drainage and exercise therapy leads to optimal edema reduction. The resulting longer treatment times are due to the pathophysiology of the edema tissue. The measure focuses on the functioning of the lymphangiomotor system and the lymphatic load is slowly pushed out of the limb. The situation is different when treating hematomas – they can be completely drained away with a few but longer massage sessions and the pain-relieving effect can unfold.
This type of physiotherapy also significantly reduces the healing time for torn muscle fibers. The same therapy can be used to treat scars and restore disturbed lymphatic drainage, resulting in improved wound healing and scar formation. In the case of arthrosis and rheumatic diseases, lymphatic drainage aims to alleviate pain and reduce oedema in order to improve freedom of movement.
However, the manual combination of pressure release and massage also benefits healthy people. In the case of cellulite, for example, this form of therapy helps to reduce unwanted swelling and even out the overall appearance of the skin on the extremities.
Billing (by health insurance company)
MLD (manual lymph drainage massage) is prescribed by a doctor and is usually performed by trained therapists. Lymphoedema is considered a chronic disease and requires long-term, consistent treatment intervals. On the one hand, the symptoms can be reduced and the associated discomfort and pain alleviated. For this reason, manual drainage of the lymph plays an important role in stabilizing the body.
However, the prescription situation in lymphology is differentiated. Not every lymphological clinical picture includes MLD as a therapeutic measure. In these cases, a discussion with your doctor will clarify the situation or you can contact your health insurance company directly.
All associated indications are listed in the remedies catalog, but the prescriptions are subject to the specified number of therapy prescriptions. It is therefore quite possible that a prescription break of several weeks must be observed between the individual sessions. Outside the standard cases, the doctor must present his medical opinion and justify it to the health insurance company.
Long-term therapeutic needs, on the other hand, include certain illnesses that are regulated in the Therapeutic Products Directive of the Federal Joint Committee. All health insurance funds and the National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Funds regulate the benefits of statutory health insurance in Germany.
The situation with private health insurance is somewhat different. These often only reimburse part of the costs incurred. If your insurance policy does not provide for any restrictions and the fee is within the usual local range, you can assume that the costs will be covered in full. However, even in this case, various requirements must be met, such as proof of medical necessity from a doctor and the submission of a cost estimate. In addition, the treatment measures must be included in the benefits catalog.
Background / History
At the beginning of the 1930s, the Dane Dr. Emil Vodder developed manual lymph drainage massage. He first treated patients with swollen lymph nodes in the neck and based his treatment on the anatomy of the lymph vessels according to Sappey and Rouviére. He presented the four basic grips he later developed in Paris. Vodder recognized that a disturbed lymphatic system is responsible for the congestion of tissue fluid and that oedema must occur if the lymph is no longer sufficiently returned to the bloodstream. The aim of lymphatic drainage was to restore this disturbed balance between lymph, volume (load) and the efficiency of the lymph channels.
The first training for this form of therapy took place in Germany as early as 1958. Since 1973, lymphatic drainage has been a recognized physiotherapy treatment and has been included in the billing catalog.
The German physician Dr. Johannes Asdonk combined this technique with compression therapy and the edema grip in 1972. As a result, edema that could not be adequately treated with medication was optimally treated. Today, this treatment method is known as physical edema therapy.
Both doctors recognized that four important effects were responsible for the success:
- Decongestion
- Reassurance
- Pain relief
- Strengthening the immune system
According to Vodder’s scientifically proven theory, all swellings on the body can be successfully treated with lymphatic drainage as soon as the body’s own “purification system” removes small cell debris, metabolic products and immune cells and cleanses the organism. This produces about two liters of tissue fluid per day.
According to Vodder, lymph nodes act as a filter station to cleanse the lymph – foreign bodies and pathogens have no chance of attacking or weakening the body.
Do you still have questions about manual lymphatic drainage? Visit our physiotherapy practice in Munich!