Treatment Areas
Brazilian and Traditional Manual Lymphatic Drainage can be applied to many areas of the body — as a focused treatment for a specific concern, or as part of a fuller session. Here is a guide to every area I work with, and the reasons people most commonly come for treatment there.
Face, Neck and Shoulders (and Buccal)
Lymphatic Drainage on the face can help reduce puffiness, ease sinus congestion, and leave your skin looking refreshed and revitalised. It’s a wonderfully relaxing treatment, and especially popular for anyone who holds fluid around the eyes, cheeks, or jaw.
Often chosen for: Recovery after aesthetic treatments (surgery) · Sinus congestion or hay fever · Facial puffiness around the eyes or jaw · TMJ and jaw tension · Bell’s palsy recovery · Pre or post facial surgery · Skin radiance and general facial wellbeing · Sculpting and Contouring
Head & Scalp
A soothing treatment for tension held in the scalp and around the temples. MLD here encourages lymphatic flow to move downwards from the head, and many clients find it deeply calming — almost like a weight being lifted.
Top Tip: Combine with Face (and Buccal) for even better results.
Often chosen for: Chronic headaches or migraines · Tension headaches linked to scalp tightness · Post-neurosurgery or head injury recovery · Stress and general tension relief · Alopecia (supporting scalp health) ·
Neck — Starting Point
One of the most important areas for lymphatic work. The neck houses several key lymph nodes, and gentle drainage here can ease tension, reduce swelling, and support the natural flow of lymph from both the face and head. The starting point for almost any session.
Often chosen for: Swollen lymph nodes following illness or infection · Post-thyroid or neck surgery recovery · Neck tension, stiffness or whiplash · Recurring throat or ear infections · Cervical lymphoedema · Supporting drainage from the face and head
Décolletage & Upper Chest
This area is home to some of the body’s main lymphatic drainage points. Working here encourages fluid to move freely from the upper body, making it a popular choice for post-treatment recovery, general wellbeing, or alongside facial MLD.
Often chosen for: Recovery after breast surgery (mastectomy, augmentation, reduction) · Post-radiotherapy to the chest or breast · Puffiness or tightness in the upper chest · Post-aesthetic treatments to the décolletage · Supporting drainage after upper limb procedures · General lymphatic health and immune support
Shoulders
A common area for both tension and fluid build-up. MLD on the shoulders can ease that familiar sense of stiffness and encourage lymph to move towards the nearest drainage points — leaving you feeling lighter and more at ease.
Often chosen for: Post-rotator cuff or shoulder replacement surgery · Chronic shoulder tension and stiffness · Swelling following breast cancer treatment · Post-radiotherapy to the shoulder or neck area · Frozen shoulder recovery · General fluid retention in the upper body
Upper Arms
Particularly beneficial for clients who experience post-surgical swelling, lymphoedema, or general puffiness in the upper arms. The treatment is gentle and focused, working with your body’s natural rhythms rather than against them.
Often chosen for: Lymphoedema following breast cancer treatment · Post-liposuction or arm lift (brachioplasty) recovery · Swelling after fracture or upper arm surgery · General puffiness or heaviness in the arms · Post-radiotherapy side effects
Forearms & Elbows
Gentle drainage along the forearms can ease swelling and discomfort, especially following an injury, surgery, or a period of reduced movement. The elbow area has important lymphatic vessels nearby that respond well to careful, light-touch work.
Often chosen for: Post-fracture recovery or removal of a cast · Tennis elbow or golfer’s elbow recovery · Swelling following wrist or elbow surgery · Repetitive strain injury (RSI) · Carpal tunnel syndrome (supporting drainage) · Post-burn or skin graft recovery
Hands & Wrists
If your hands feel heavy, stiff, or swollen — whether from fluid retention, arthritis, or recovery from surgery — MLD here can bring real, tangible relief. Many clients are surprised by how much lighter their hands feel afterwards.
Often chosen for: Rheumatoid or osteoarthritis · Post-hand or wrist surgery recovery · Carpal tunnel syndrome · Fluid retention causing stiff or puffy fingers · Dupuytren’s contracture recovery
Abdomen
Abdominal Lymphatic Drainage is a gentle, nurturing treatment that supports digestive health, eases bloating, and encourages the movement of lymph through the body’s largest lymphatic structures. It can feel quite profound in its effect on overall wellbeing.
Often chosen for: Post-abdominal surgery (C-section, hysterectomy, tummy tuck, hernia repair) · IBS, chronic bloating or digestive discomfort · Post-liposuction recovery · Endometriosis or pelvic inflammatory conditions · Post-radiotherapy to the abdomen or pelvis · Diastasis recti recovery · Sculpting and Contouring
Upper Back
Often an overlooked area, the upper back benefits greatly from MLD — particularly for clients managing post-surgical drainage, swelling following a procedure, or general tension that seems to sit stubbornly between the shoulder blades.
Often chosen for: Post-breast or back surgery recovery · Post-radiotherapy side effects · Chronic tension between the shoulder blades · Post-spinal surgery drainage support · Scoliosis-related muscle tension · Fluid retention in the upper body
Lower Back
Gentle MLD in the lower back can ease fluid congestion and support lymphatic flow from the lower body. It works beautifully alongside treatment for the legs and hips, and often brings a sense of deep relief to an area that carries a lot of daily stress.
Often chosen for: Post-spinal or lower back surgery recovery · Chronic lower back pain and fluid tension · Post-liposuction to the flanks or lower back · Recovery from C-section or pelvic surgery · Sciatica-related swelling and discomfort · Supporting drainage for the lower limbs
Hips & Buttocks
A wonderfully grounding area to work on. MLD here is popular for post-operative recovery, for managing conditions like lipoedema, or simply for addressing the fluid retention that can settle in this area. Many clients find it deeply relaxing.
Often chosen for: Post-hip replacement surgery recovery · Lipoedema management · Post-liposuction · Post-cosmetic surgery recovery · Chronic fluid retention in the hips · Sciatica and associated swelling · Sculpting and Contouring
Thighs
One of the most commonly requested areas, particularly for clients managing lymphoedema, lipoedema, or swelling following surgery or injury. The thighs contain significant lymphatic pathways, and careful drainage work here can make a real difference to comfort and mobility.
Often chosen for: Lymphoedema (primary or secondary) · Lipoedema management and comfort · Post-surgery swelling (hip, knee, liposuction) · Post-cancer treatment side effects · Heavy leg syndrome · Improving mobility and reducing discomfort · Sculpting and Contouring
Knees
The knee sits close to important lymphatic vessels and nodes. MLD here is a gentle, effective choice for post-surgical recovery, swelling after injury, or joint discomfort. It’s often combined with work on the thighs and lower legs for the best results.
Often chosen for: Post-knee replacement surgery · ACL, meniscus or ligament surgery recovery · Arthritis-related joint swelling · Sports injury recovery · Chronic knee oedema · Baker’s cyst or popliteal swelling · Improving range of movement after surgery
Lower Legs (Calves & Shins)
Perfect for anyone who spends long hours on their feet, sits at a desk for much of the day, or experiences heavy, aching legs by the end of the afternoon. MLD along the calves and shins encourages fluid to move upwards and away, leaving legs feeling noticeably fresher.
Often chosen for: Long-haul travel swelling · Pregnancy-related leg and ankle swelling · Post-DVT recovery (carefully managed) · Sedentary work or prolonged standing · Post-leg fracture or surgery recovery
Feet & Ankles
Swollen ankles and feet respond beautifully to MLD. It’s one of those treatments where clients often notice the difference almost immediately — a sense of lightness and ease that can make everyday movement feel so much more comfortable.
Top Tip: Combine with a full leg treatment for even better results.
Often chosen for: Pregnancy-related ankle and foot swelling · Post-foot or ankle surgery recovery · Long-haul travel and prolonged sitting · Chronic ankle oedema · Plantar fasciitis recovery · Lymphoedema affecting the lower limb
Full Body
A complete, head-to-toe MLD session tailored entirely to your needs. Ideal for general wellbeing, post-operative recovery, managing a long-term condition, or simply giving your whole lymphatic system a thorough, gentle reset. This is MLD at its most comprehensive — and its most restorative.
Often chosen for: Post-cancer treatment recovery · Fibromyalgia or chronic pain conditions · Chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) · Autoimmune conditions affecting multiple areas · Whole-body post-surgical recovery · Stress, burnout and general immune support · Pre or post major surgery preparation · Sculpting and Contouring
Not sure which area is right for you?
That’s absolutely fine — it’s one of the most common questions. Just get in touch and we’ll have a friendly chat about what you’re experiencing and what might help most. No pressure, no obligation.
