Manual Lymphatic Drainage: Alternative Solutions to Spring Allergies and Swelling
Written by Jo Hodges, LMT PA#MSG015344; in collaboration with Pam Perron, LMT, CMLDT, PA#MSG010444
Summer weather means sunny days, some outdoor activities, and your favorite ice cream spots like Sara’s are open! Your car windows are down, letting in a nice breeze… that’s full of white, fuzzy cottonwood blooms. If you have seasonal allergies like over 25% of Americans, there’s a good chance this break in weather has you surrounded by tissues, saline spray, and various kinds of allergy medicine. What helps after you’ve run out of your 200-count box of tissues? Are you getting the relief you expect from your medicine? There may be a different way to help with sinus pressure, running eyes, congestion, draining, and more!
According to the Pacific College of Health and Science, the topic of ineffective allergy medicine has been approached before. In 2007, a study published in the Journal of American Medical Association showed that 90% of prescriptions given by doctors for sinusitis aren’t clinically effective, especially when it comes to steroidal nasal spray. What else can you turn to when the pollen count is extremely high for a week straight, and you don’t even want to risk leaving your house? Antihistamines can work for a few hours, but sometimes they don’t kick in by the time you have to go to work. From recommendations by medical professionals to the trend of ‘body detoxing’ that promotes lymph flow, manual lymphatic drainage may help symptoms like your constant sneezing and itchy eyes. You need long-lasting relief that comes from inside the body, and the lymphatic system could be the answer!
The lymphatic system has been a popular topic in recent health and wellness media, ranging from a healthy holistic alternative to an “essential” for basic function. Doctors have been debating back and forth for years about ways to influence lymphatic flow, since it isn’t self-regulating like blood flow to the heart. Methods can differ, starting with hydration and working up to massage and sauna therapy, but they should never be invasive. While it’s true that lymphatic drainage massage therapy isn’t the only option to help flow, it’s one of the most relaxing and effective ways, especially when done by a certified manual lymphatic drainage therapist like Pam Perron (PA#MSG010444) at Monacella Massage! Whether you’ve heard of MLD from a licensed professional, a social media wellness guru, or this blog, it’s never too late to start working towards improving your health!
Pam is certified through the Klose school, and specializes in post-surgical and gender-affirming care. Her treatments are non-invasive, and do not include anything like incision drainage, wood therapy, or rollers. Certified manual lymphatic drainage is done with gentle, circular motions, and is a soothing hands-on technique that focuses on moving lymphatic with lighter pressure. Though this post focuses on sinuses (‘tis the season!), MLD is recommended for lymphedema, post-surgery inflammation, acute injuries like whiplash and sprains, migraines, and, of course, wellness as needed! If you think a breakdown of lymph buildup could help with your inflammation from allergies, post-surgery, or otherwise, give us a call at (814) 838-3622 or check our convenient online scheduling for Pam’s upcoming availability! Wishing everyone a happy start to the Summer, and hoping for the end of cottonwood shedding season soon!