How the lymph system works

Our bodies function through the functioning of many different systems, each of them inter-related to the others. The lymph or lymphatic system plays a key role in regulating several other essential systems in our bodies, particularly the immune system.

From our personal experience, we all understand these relationships. Affect one part of the body and every other part is affected. e.g. if you have a pain in your toe, this can affect your walking, your concentration, your mood ...

Different systems within our bodies respond to different types of treatment, e.g. If you break a bone, then the treatment involves resetting the bone. If you have a fever, treatment involves lowering the body's temperature.

The lymph system functions in the body like a garbage collection system

The lymph system is responsible for removing excess water, proteins and waste from the body's connective tissues. Most of the time, like all the other systems in the body, it functions smoothly and silently. We are not aware of anything. But when things go wrong and the lymph system is blocked, we can experience swelling, pain and discomfort.

Blocks in the lymph system can be the result of many different causes but the results are the same: stress on the lymph system means it can't do its job properly. This puts stress on the body's other systems such as the immune system meaning that the body is less able to fight off infection and disease.

In the early 1930's physical therapists, Emil and Estrid Vodder, a French husband and wife, were concerned about the number of their patients who had chronic colds from the harsh European winters. None of the standard treatments really worked.

They noticed that all of these patients had swollen lymph glands and decided to try a different approach by directly applying gentle massage to the lymph nodes. In effect, they were clearing blocks in the body's garbage collection system. And it worked! This was the start of the Vodder MLD technique that has since been successfully used to treat many different medical conditions.

Although the technique is simple, like many simple things, it requires a great deal of skill to be effective. New applications and refinements continue to be developed and that is one reason why Vodder practitioners are required to be re-certified every two years to ensure that their patients receive the highest and most up-to-date standards of treatment and care.

A picture, it is said, is worth a thousand words. These pictures show typical 'before and after' shots of people who have experienced a series of MLD treatments.

Click on thumbnail image for larger view

Christina Pfitzner is a Melbourne-based certified Dr Vodder Manual Lymph Drainage (MLD) and Complex Decongestive Therapy (CDT) practitioner. She has wide experience working as a therapist in the health industry.

Christina Pfitzner is a Certified Therapist in Dr Vodder's Manual Lymphatic Drainage and Combined Decongestive Therapy. She is an Accredited Member of AAMT, ATMS, AVTA, a Certified Remedial Therapist, and holds an Associate Diploma of Aromatherapy. She offers professional MLD treatment using the Vodder method from her clinic in Glen Waverley, Melbourne.

If you are a doctor, clinician or GP and would like to find out more about how MLD can benefit your patients, please contact Christina by completing the contact form.

Phone: (03) 9560 8036 Mobile: 0409 054 476 or use my Contact Form

'We are all meant to be well'