Lipedema is a chronic and often painful fat disorder that primarily affects women, characterized by a symmetrical buildup of fatty tissue, usually in the legs, hips, and sometimes the arms. It is frequently misdiagnosed or misunderstood, and many women live for years without proper treatment. One effective therapy that is gaining recognition in the management of lipedema is Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD).
MLD is a specialized form of gentle massage that stimulates the flow of lymph fluid throughout the body. Since lipedema often leads to or coexists with lymphatic dysfunction (known as lipolymphedema), MLD can provide critical support in reducing symptoms, improving quality of life, and managing progression.

Understanding Lipedema
Before exploring MLD's benefits, it's crucial to understand what lipedema is:
Key Characteristics:

• Affects approximately 11% of women, usually starting or worsening at puberty, pregnancy, or menopause.
• Disproportionate fat distribution, especially in the lower body.
• Pain, tenderness, and easy bruising in affected areas.
• Resistant to diet and exercise.
• Frequently misdiagnosed as obesity or lymphedema.
• May lead to reduced mobility and psychosocial distress.

What Is Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD)?
MLD is a gentle, rhythmic massage technique developed in the 1930s by Emil Vodder. It stimulates the lymphatic system to:

• Promote the movement of lymph fluid.
• Reduce swelling and fluid retention.
• Enhance immune function.
• Support detoxification processes.

Key Principles of MLD:

• Gentle pressure: Unlike deep tissue massage, MLD uses light, rhythmic movements.
• Directional strokes: Movements follow the anatomical flow of lymph vessels.
• Systematic progression: Typically begins near the neck (where lymph drains into the bloodstream) and moves toward affected areas.

How MLD Helps Women With Lipedema
MLD is not a cure for lipedema, but it is a powerful supportive therapy. Here's how it can help:
1. Reduces Swelling and Fluid Retention
Lipedema often causes fluid buildup in tissues, especially when it progresses to lipolymphedema.

• MLD promotes lymphatic circulation, helping to remove excess fluid.
• Reduces edema (swelling) in legs, ankles, and arms.
• Can help soften fibrotic tissues, making fat deposits feel less rigid.

2. Improves Pain and TendernessPain is a hallmark of lipedema, and MLD can provide much-needed relief.

• Gentle strokes help calm nerve endings in the skin and tissues.
• Improves oxygenation and nutrient delivery to affected tissues.
• Reduces inflammatory mediators, helping with chronic pain.

3. Prevents Progression to Lipolymphedema
MLD may help slow or prevent the onset of lymphedema (lymphatic system failure), a common progression in later stages of lipedema.

• Maintains lymphatic health and prevents overload of lymph nodes.
• Encourages early intervention, which can delay disease progression.

4. Enhances Mobility
Lipedema can significantly restrict movement due to swelling and pain.

• MLD reduces tightness in limbs, allowing for easier walking and physical activity.
• Makes compression therapy (which is often used in conjunction with MLD) more effective.

5. Boosts Psychological Wellbeing
Living with lipedema often takes a toll on mental health.

• Regular MLD sessions promote relaxation, reduce stress, and improve body image.
• Patients often report feeling more in control of their condition.
• The routine and touch therapy element of MLD can offer emotional support and connection.

6. Supports Post-Surgical Recovery
Many women with lipedema opt for liposuction or water-assisted fat removal (WAL) as a treatment. MLD is often recommended post-op.

• Reduces post-surgical swelling and speeds healing.
• Helps prevent scar tissue formation.
• Maintains surgical results by supporting lymphatic drainage.

What to Expect During an MLD Session
Here at Newark Therapeutic we will tailor the session to your individual needs. Here’s a general overview:
The Session May Include:

• A consultation to assess symptoms and progression.
• Gentle, rhythmic massage starting from the neck and chest.
• Gradual movement toward affected limbs.
• Sessions typically last 30–75 minutes, with frequency based on severity.

Comfort and Safety:

• MLD is non-invasive and pain-free.
• Should always be performed by a qualified professional with experience in treating lipedema.
• MLD can be part of Complete Decongestive Therapy (CDT), which includes:
  • Compression therapy
  • Skin care
  • Exercise
  • Patient education

Who Should Consider MLD?
​MLD is appropriate for women with all stages of lipedema, but especially beneficial if:

• You have noticeable swelling in the legs or arms.
• You're experiencing daily pain or heaviness.
• You've been diagnosed with lipolymphedema.
• You're planning or recovering from lipedema surgery.
• You're seeking non-surgical symptom management.

Complementary Therapies That Work Well With MLD
To maximize MLD’s benefits, it is often paired with:
Compression Therapy:

• Compression garments support lymph flow and prevent fluid reaccumulation after MLD.

Exercise:

• Low-impact activities like walking, swimming, or rebounding help activate lymphatic flow.

Anti-inflammatory Diet:

• Reducing processed foods, sugars, and allergens can minimize inflammation and fluid retention.

Psychotherapy or Support Groups:

• Dealing with a chronic condition can be isolating. Support networks offer emotional relief and coping tools.

Limitations and Considerations
While MLD is beneficial, it’s not a standalone treatment or a cure.
Important Considerations:

• Consistency is key: One session offers temporary relief; regular sessions have cumulative benefits.
• MLD should be part of a holistic treatment plan.
• Some cases may require medical intervention or surgery in addition to MLD.

Contraindications:

• MLD is generally safe but may not be suitable if you have:
  • Acute infections
  • Untreated congestive heart failure
  • Blood clots or thrombosis
  • Active cancer (unless cleared by an oncologist)

Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before beginning MLD treatment.


If you or someone you love is struggling with the challenges of lipedema, MLD could be a game-changing addition to your care plan. As awareness and understanding of lipedema grow, so too do the options for compassionate, effective management—and MLD stands at the forefront of that shift.

If you would like to book an MLD session at Newark Therapeutic you may do so by booking online or if you have any questions please let us know.

Many think of manual lymphatic drainage as a type of massage; however, it is different from traditional massage therapy. When performing self-manual lymphatic drainage, there are several things to keep in mind.
Another important facet of this procedure is the “resting” phase. After performing the stretch and movement, you should then allow the skin to move back to its original position to allow the lymph vessels to absorb the fluids.

Manual lymphatic drainage is just one component of complete decongestive therapy (CDC). In addition to MLD, complete decongestive therapy includes compression, exercise, and skincare. These therapeutic components, when performed together, can ultimately relieve the symptoms of lipedema, which can often be painful.
When you stimulate the lymphatic system, you will feel the effects of several lymphatic drainage benefits:
Increase the capacity of the lymphatic system, which will then let it process more fluid than normal.:

• Increase the flow through the lymph nodes, which will, in turn, allow the system to filter out waste, dead cells, excess proteins, and toxins.
• The production of lymphocytes will increase to heighten the body’s ability to fight infections.

Other lymphatic drainage massage benefits include reduction of pain and swelling and an increase of venous return and circulation.

Here are Top 5 Reasons Massage should be part of your Regular Routine

1. Massage Helps Relaxation – This is one of the most immediate and noticeable effects of massage therapy. Massage helps with the release of endorphins, the body’s natural chemicals that produce feelings of calm and well-being. It can also help reduce levels of stress hormones such as cortisol, adrenaline and nor-adrenaline. The impact of this on our general health, wellbeing and longevity can be massive.
2. Massage Reduces Stress – Stress appears in everyone’s life to some extent. It isn’t always a negative thing, it’s a natural response to help us get through life. However, there are times that stress can become too much or overwhelming and it’s good to have strategies to both help us reduce the feeling of stress and also manage stress day to day. Massage Therapy is a fantastic way to both ease your feelings of stress and also manage stress long term. It enforces you to take time out, chill for an hour and will physically help you cope by easing any stress induced tension your muscles are holding.
3. Massage Helps You Sleep Well – The importance of the quality of our sleep and it’s impact on our life is becoming increasingly recognised. Sleep is an ultimate way to recover and having a massage can undoubtedly help improve your quality of sleep.
4. Massage Helps Recovery – Physically, massage is a key tool you can use to help not only tour mental but also physical recovery. If you’re training for an event, taken part in a race or competition or just exercise regularly, your body needs recovery to help it perform. The physical effects of a massage can help encourage and promote recovery and ward off injuries. Regular massage as part of a training programme is a great investment as it can play a key part in helping prevent injuries and optimising your physical performance!
5. Massage Improves Circulation – The manual techniques that are used by your massage therapist, will physically encourage circulation by moving blood through your tissues which can help flush the lactic acid through your muscles. It will also help with circulation of lymph fluid which carries metabolic waste any from muscles and internal organs. Enhancing your circulation will help promote healing as oxygen rich blood is circulated to damaged, tense muscles.

How often should you get a massage?
There’s no doubt that having a massage is good for our health and well-being. Whether you’re a busy Mum, work at a desk most of the day, are training for a marathon or spending hours commuting, a massage will help you feel great!

I often get asked how often people should have a massage. The frequency of a massage comes down to many factors. If you’re training intensely for a physical event, a weekly massage is ideal. If you build up tension in your neck and shoulders over time, once a month may be enough. Generally, once a fortnight is great – as it helps keep on top of those stresses and strains, without them building up and becoming a problem.

Whatever works for you, if you can set aside time for a regular massage your body and mind will thank you for it!

What type of massage do you do at Newark Therapeutic? I practice a style of Swedish and Deep Tissue along with many years of experience and techniques picked up from various therapies through my almost 30 years of practice. My sessions are unique and personalised to each individual client. Often more relaxing, sometimes more "clinical" which involves working on deep tissues to promote recovery and ease tension. I will always ask you a series of questions before we start, so we can tailor the experience to your exact needs and the areas you want to focus on.

Appointments are available 5 days a week, as early as 11am and as late as 6pm. You can book appointments or give me a text on 07909 567222. I often have same day appointments available!

So, if you’d like to experience the benefits of regular massage, book your appointment today.

​A 63-year-old female patient with idiopathic, long-standing, Hoehn-Yahr Stage 4 PD was treated with massage therapy five times over the course of six weeks. A SPES/SCOPA Motor Impairments rating scale was used to measure rigidity and tremor pre- and post-treatment, to gauge treatment effectiveness. The massage treatments consisted of deep longitudinal stroking, muscle squeezing techniques, passive range of motion movements, and general relaxation techniques to encourage a soothing environment while promoting a decrease in muscular tone and hyperactivity. Massage therapy administration was by a student near the end of her two-year diploma.

​The results obtained indicated that massage therapy treatment had a positive effect on reducing resting and postural tremor in a patient with long-standing PD. The treatment was also effective in temporarily reducing rigidity during treatment. Regular and continued massage was shown to be needed to maintain benefit. 

Your therapist will take a complete health history, including a thorough list of treatments and side effects such as neuropathy, rigidity and skin problems.
But your therapist should also ask about other conditions or injuries you may have. You and your therapist should agree on goals for the session.
​
Disrobing: Massage at Newark Therapeutic is usually done using oil therefore it my be necessary to at lest remove some of your clothing - if your balance is an issue, and it’s too much trouble to dress and undress we can work around this.
During the massage, you will always be kept covered, observing your modesty and keeping you warm. Don’t hesitate to request that your therapist help you on and off the massage table.

Position and Turning over: Some people have trouble turning over due to rigid or weak muscles. If you feel like a fish out of water lying on your stomach, just ask your therapist to work with you lying on your side instead. In this position your therapist still has good access to massage your back muscles, and you won’t feel helpless or confined.

Massage for Parkinson's is usually very light and soothing as deep work is contraindicated so there should be no pain or discomfort. 

30 or 60 minute session are best and try to book AT LEAST once a month. 

​www.picktime.com/newarktherapeuticWHY NOT BOOK A SESSION WITH ADRIENNE TODAY?

In Sweden, "Swedish massage" is simply known as "classic massage". And that is exactly what it is - a classic treatment which represents the western standard for massage. ​

What is Swedish Massage like?
Swedish massage is a whole-body therapeutic massage treatment that works the soft tissues and muscles to help restore health - creating a calming and balancing effect on the nervous system.
The massage therapist will use five main types of massage techniques in a Swedish massage: stroking and gliding; kneading; rubbing; tapping or pounding; vibration

What are the benefits of Swedish massage?
The various Swedish massage techniques, created by the Father of Swedish Massage, Per Henrik Ling, are designed to improve your circulation, soothe your muscles and make you feel more relaxed.
Unlike deep tissue massage, Swedish massage therapy uses softer strokes on the bonier and more delicate parts of the body, and stronger strokes where there is thicker muscle coverage. This adjustment of pressure makes it an ideal massage for relaxation.
Best known for soothing tight muscles and boosting well-being, Swedish massage also offers a whole host of other health benefits, including:

• easing muscular strain by flushing out toxins
• improving blood circulation and blow flow throughout the body
• helping to keep ligaments and tendons supple and improving range of motion
• reducing emotional and physical stress
• easing back pain and chronic pain

If the thought of removing most of your clothes makes you blush, don't worry: your therapist will be an artist of professional draping techniques. The oils and lotions used in massage can stain fabrics, so it's a good idea to opt for something old if you're wearing your own clothes.
As with all treatments, inform your therapist of any medical conditions you may have and tell them if you are -- or just think you might be -- pregnant.
It's best to avoid heavy meals and alcohol in the hours leading up to your massage.

What to expect from a Swedish massage
Your massage will probably last around 60 or 90 minutes. Your therapist will give you time to undress privately and lie down on the massage table, which is usually padded for extra comfort, where you may cover yourself with towels or a sheet. You don't have to be completely exposed at any point; your therapist will uncover one little bit of you at a time depending on the area she is focusing on. If you're worried about anything, don't hesitate to say so.
Your therapist might assess your complexion at the start of your treatment and choose essential oils or lotions to suit your skin type. She will massage these into your body with a series of strokes and techniques specific to the part of your body and what you want to achieve; for example, this might be long, gliding strokes across your back to help you relax, or kneading or rubbing your shoulders to unwind any knots. The treatment takes into account the delicate or tender areas of your body, so it should be comfortable and soothing.
We at Newark Therapeutic play relaxing music during a massage, as it can help you to unwind. Don't be afraid to say if you'd prefer not to have it - or indeed if you're unhappy with anything else in the treatment room. Being content in your surroundings is important for relaxation and will help you sink happily into your massage.
The same goes for talking. Most therapists are very sensitive to how much their client wants to communicate and will limit or encourage conversation accordingly. Some people like to chat a bit; others don't. It doesn't matter as long as you're comfortable, relaxed and receptive.
Afterwards, you'll probably feel quite relaxed and maybe even sleepy, so give yourself plenty of time to unwind. Savour the feeling of having every muscle in your body gently stretched and smoothed out.

Why not schedule with Adrienne for a Swedish Massage today?

​Quite often we will hear phrases in the treatment room like “I like when it hurts - I know it’s working.”

Unfortunately this is a common misconception that is shared by many of what manual and sports massage therapy should be – but what you may not know is that what is going on inside your body has a lot less to do with the pressure or depth of the treatment, ‘beating’ the muscle into submission and a lot more to do with desensitising your nervous system and providing an optimum environment for your body to heal itself.

Muscle ‘Tightness’ Isn’t Directly Affected By The Level Of Force Placed Upon It
An early bit of advice that has long stuck with me since my first year of university and I can still hear my lecturer’s militant words to this day is:
“When it comes to treatment you are either a caveman or a thinking man”
A second phrase that has stuck with me came more recently from a long time friend and mentor of mine, and coming from an ex-police officer really highlights the point further.
“It’s a fine line between treatment and common assault”
These two phrases come to mind every time I hear a patient talk about how they had treatment that really hurt or I see someone squirming on a foam roller in the gym or more often than not Instagram videos seemingly glorifying deep bruising and painful treatment.

So What Is Actually Going On? (The sciencey stuff!)
There is much more going on under the surface than you may realise when you are receiving a sports massage or manual therapy.

Our bodies are full of thousands of tiny sensory receptor organs called ‘mechano-receptors’ that lie within our muscles and tendons.  These receptors sense the mechanical stress that is applied to them and each type of receptor responds to different types of stress in a different way dependant on the desired treatment effect a therapist is looking to achieve.
Stimulation of these receptors requires a combination of different types of pressure such as slow stretching, soft pressure, deep rhythmical strokes, rapid pressure changes and vibration or sheer.

Dependant on the type of stimulation, these receptors have the ability to desensitise the nervous system, decreasing tone and tightness in the muscle, reduce pain perception, provide positional feedback and increase blood flow in the area being treated.  

Deep unspecific “no pain, no gain” treatment however will have the adverse effect and is most likely to over stimulate the nervous system, leaving you more sensitive and ‘tight’ and can cause damage to capillaries leading to dark bruising.

So What Should You Feel?
Yes, some areas of the body and treatments are going to be more uncomfortable than others but at no point should treatment cause pain! And yes working deeper into some tissues is going to be effective; however this needs to be done with precision and with a specific therapeutic goal in mind and not just mindless ‘pummelling’ of the muscle.
So next time you are receiving a sports massage or hands on treatment it’s important to remember when it comes to your body and injury “Pain is Pain” and deeper isn’t always better.

If you would like to know more or would like to receive hands-on therapeutic treatment or sports massage from a trained massage professional, please book online here.
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SOURCE: https://theinjuryclinicmarketharborough.co.uk/2019/07/18/sports-massage-doesnt-have-to-hurt-and-heres-why/​