Manual lymphatic drainage is a gentle, rhythmic massage technique that activates the lymphatic system and improves the drainage of fluid from tissues. It is far more than a relaxation therapy — it is a medically recognised treatment for oedema, chronic swelling and post-operative conditions.
Who benefits from lymphatic drainage?
Lymphatic drainage is particularly valuable for: patients with primary or secondary lymphoedema, people following breast cancer surgery with axillary dissection, post-operative oedema after knee or hip prosthesis, chronic venous insufficiency and pregnant women with leg oedema. Contraindications include active infections, thrombosis and certain heart conditions.
How many sessions are needed?
The number of sessions depends strongly on the indication. For acute post-operative oedema (e.g. after knee prosthesis), 5–10 sessions are often sufficient. For chronic lymphoedema, therapy is longer-term: an intensive phase (daily over 2–4 weeks) followed by a maintenance phase with regular sessions and compression therapy. Fabienne Dormann creates an individual treatment plan for each patient.