After Your MLD Treatment
After your MLD session, your lymphatic system will be gently working away in the background. A few simple things can help it along — and knowing what to expect means no surprises.
What to do
- Drink plenty of water — hydration helps your lymphatic system continue its work after the session. Aim to drink more than usual for the rest of the day.
- Rest if you can — MLD is deeply relaxing and you may feel sleepy or a little “floaty” for a while afterwards. A rest on the sofa or even a nap is perfectly acceptable.
- Move gently — a short, gentle walk is ideal and helps keep things moving. Nothing strenuous though — save the exercise for tomorrow.
- Keep warm — particularly if we’ve been working on an area of swelling. Keeping it comfortably warm helps circulation and lymphatic flow continue.
What to avoid for the rest of the day
- Alcohol for at least 24 hours — it’s dehydrating and puts extra load on the lymphatic system, which rather defeats the purpose.
- Heavy or intense exercise — gentle movement is great, but save the gym or a heavy workout for tomorrow.
- Saunas, steam rooms, or very hot baths — these raise your heart rate and body temperature, which can work against the drainage that’s just been done.
- Tight or restrictive clothing on the treated area — give the lymph every chance to flow freely. Compression garments (if you wear them therapeutically) are absolutely fine to continue.
- Excessive caffeine — like alcohol, too much can work against good hydration. A normal cup of tea or coffee is perfectly fine.
What you might notice
Everyone responds a little differently after MLD. Here’s what is completely normal:
- Increased trips to the loo — this is a good sign. Your body is processing the fluid that has been gently moved during the session.
- Feeling deeply relaxed or sleepy — completely normal. Some people feel this for a few hours after the session.
- A sense of emotional release — MLD can sometimes stir feelings, particularly if you are carrying a lot of tension. This is nothing to worry about and passes.
- Changes in swelling or a sense of lightness — some people notice this quite quickly; for others it builds gradually over a few sessions. Both are perfectly normal.
- It has been reported people feeling a little achy and sore after Brazilian MLD. This does resolve itself but if you are finding it persistent contact Rachel.
Any questions?
If you notice swelling increasing rather than decreasing, or if you feel unwell after your session, please do get in touch — I am always happy to hear from you. There are no silly questions.
