Lymphatic Drainage Massage
Specialist manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) in Marylebone for post-surgical recovery, lipoedema, and chronic swelling — a gentle, light-pressure clinical technique, not a spa massage.
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The short answer
What this treatment is
Areas treated
What's included
- Reduces post-surgical swelling, bruising, and fibrosis when started in the recommended window
- Conservative care for lipoedema — pain reduction and progression slowing
- Supports breast-cancer survivors with risk or onset of secondary lymphoedema
- Distinctly different from deep-tissue or remedial massage — gentle, rhythmic, lymphatic-specific
- Trained practitioner with a TCM background — integrates with acupuncture or nutritional care where indicated
- The same expert hands every session — you always see Claudia
Patient journey
What to expect
Consultation & preparation
Hydrate well in the 24 hours before a session. Eat a light meal 1 to 2 hours beforehand. If MLD is post-surgical, bring your surgeon's clearance letter, recovery instructions, and any compression-garment information. Wear loose comfortable clothing; we provide gowns. Remove jewellery from the area being treated.
During treatment
Aftercare
Drink water generously after a session — fluid mobilisation needs renal clearance. Continue any compression-garment regimen exactly as prescribed. Most clients experience a brief temporary increase in urinary frequency in the hours after MLD; this is expected. We schedule the next session before you leave.
Transparent, all-in pricing
Written and medically reviewed by Claudia Ferreira , BSc (Hons) Traditional Chinese Medicine · MBAcC · Postgraduate TCM Gynaecology & Obstetrics · Macmillan Cancer Support and the British Lymphology Society are the lead UK voices for MLD scope and indications. NICE guideline NG37 covers MLD provision in the context of ovarian cancer; secondary lymphoedema management follows BLS guidance..
FAQ
Common
questions
How is MLD different from a regular massage?
MLD uses very light, slow, rhythmic strokes targeting the superficial lymphatic vessels — pressure is roughly 30 mmHg, much lighter than deep-tissue massage. Stroke direction follows the lymphatic drainage pathways towards the regional nodes. The goal is fluid mobilisation, not muscle release. A deep-tissue massage in the same area would actually push fluid the wrong way.
When can I start MLD after surgery?
Most surgeons clear MLD from 24 to 72 hours after surgery, depending on the procedure. We never start without explicit clearance — the timing matters and we follow your surgeon's recovery plan. Bring the post-op letter or recovery instructions to your first session.
How many sessions will I need after liposuction or abdominoplasty?
Most aesthetic-surgery recovery protocols use 6 to 10 MLD sessions over 4 to 6 weeks — frequency front-loaded to the early window. Larger procedures (full-body liposuction, abdominoplasty, large breast reductions) may need 10 to 15 sessions. We agree the plan with you at intake.
Is MLD safe for everyone?
No — MLD has clear contraindications including untreated heart failure, untreated renal failure, active deep-vein thrombosis, active malignancy in the area being treated without oncologist sign-off, and acute infection. Anyone with these conditions needs medical clearance before any MLD work. We screen for these at intake.
Do you treat lymphoedema or just lipoedema?
We treat both, with appropriate scope. Primary or secondary lymphoedema management is best run under the lead of a vascular consultant or specialist lymphoedema team; we deliver the MLD component within their care plan. Lipoedema is conservatively managed across the four pillars (MLD, compression, anti-inflammatory nutrition, graded movement) and we lead on those that fit our scope.
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Body Perfected • 1 Orchard Street, London W1H 6HJ
BookAppointments typically available within 1–2 weeks