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The signature treatment at Total Body Clinic in Wayne NJ is Manual Lymphatic Drainage, a longtime specialty of clinic owner and operator Isabel Viveros-Ciampi. Lymphatic Drainage has been successfully used in a variety of contexts, including: Clearing areas of congestion such as swollen ankles and legs; Reducing water retention; Promoting scar-tissue healing and regeneration; Detoxifying the body (for this reason it is an excellent complement to cellulite treatments); Clearing up skin problems (acne, rosacea, eczema, wrinkles, puffiness under eyes); Providing relief from chronic pain, including chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, neuralgia, arthritis, migraine headaches, etc.; Promoting deep relaxation to aid insomnia, stress, loss of vitality and loss of memory. Because of the nature of the treatment (light rhythmical motions that encourage detoxification via the lymph system), MLD patients feel a total sense of deep relaxation not normally attained with massage.
Manual Lymphatic Drainage is also a necessary complement for plastic surgery procedures, including: liposuction, breast augmentation, breast reduction, mastectomy, breast reconstruction, rhytidectomy (facelift), forehead and eyebrow lifts, blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery), rhinoplasty (nose job), abdominoplasty (tummy tuck), and fat injections (e.g. Brazilian butt lift), both on a pre- and post-op basis. Click here to see more information about Post-Operative Lymphatic Drainage. |
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Understanding Manual
Lymphatic Drainage |
What is the lymphatic system?
It’s common knowledge that the circulatory system distributes blood throughout the body. But few are aware that the lymphatic system is responsible for keeping fluids flowing in the body.
The lymphatic system is a slow-moving network of fine vessels or ducts responsible for removing excess fluid, toxins, waste, and dead blood cells from the tissue, while also delivering nutrients, oxygen and hormones to the cells of the tissue.
Blockages in this system are responsible for many of the ailments and conditions listed above. Without this proper movement, the body’s immune system can seriously suffer. When performed by a skilled practitioner, Manual Lymphatic Drainage is the go-to restorative and correctional therapy for those suffering from a damaged lymphatic system.
What is a Manual Lymphatic Drainage treatment like?
Manual Lymph Drainage should not be confused with a massage. MLD is a rhythmic and repetitive process that requires the patience and concentration of the therapist.
MLD therapists’ hands don’t slide on the skin, they gently stretch it. Light, gentle strokes are used to help guide excess fluid toward the nearest group of lymph nodes, where particles are filtered and substances are removed before the lymph finallly empties into the veins.
The treatment must be performed bare skin, with no oil. Draping of clients according to established industry guidelines is practiced. You can expect an increased need to urinate soon after a treatment and for several hours thereafter, as excess fluids that were moved from the tissues are now ready to be excreted as urine. We recommend that you drink water after an MLD session to replenish fluids mobilized during this treatment. |
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Is the training and background of an MLD practitioner important?
Here are a few facts to keep in mind when considering the hiring of an MLD practitioner:
• MLD is not taught in the basic education of a massage therapist. MLD is not a simple technique and requires years of mastery on the part of the practitioner.
• MLD is not something that can be self-taught; an experienced professional must guide the student at every turn. Experienced educators of MLD are few and far between, and often travel around the country to give exclusive, instensive classes on the lymphatic system and also the manual techniques involved.
• Working with inexperienced MLD practitioners can be ineffective and even harmful. Each area of the body requires an exact sequence of precise hand movements applied in a specific series of repetitions. MLD must be performed in accordance with the body's natural direction of lymph flow, and this can take hours upon hours of instruction.
Clinic owner and operator Isabel Viveros-Ciampi is one the most highly trained MLD professionals in Northern New Jersey. |
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Post-Operative Lymphatic Drainage |
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Undergoing cosmetic or reconstructive surgery is one of the biggest life decisions a woman will make. Hours upon hours are spent researching plastic surgeons, gathering data on different procedures and analyzing costs. Women often travel thousands of miles - even outside the US - to have their surgery performed, making important sacrifices to their personal and professional lives in the process.
Yet, once the surgery is finished, women realize that they did not dedicate nearly enough attention to the recovery stage of the process. They can find themselves in a lot of pain, struggling with support garments and having difficulty sleeping or performing basic tasks. Post-op support from the surgeon can sometimes be weak, and can leave women feeling abandoned, isolated, and overcome with second thoughts. Compounding the problem is the persistent swelling, tender bruises, and the appearance of scar tissue that threatens to cancel out the important benefits gained during their surgery!
How can Total Body Clinic help me during my post-operative recovery phase?
At Total Body Clinic in Wayne New Jersey, we work with women going through this delicate recovery phase, and we help accelerate the healing process using Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD). Manual Lymphatic Drainage is the ideal post-operative treatment for those who have recently undergone plastic surgery, including:
- liposuction
- breast augmentation or breast reduction
- breast reconstruction
- facelifts
- forehead lift, brow lift
- blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery)
- abdominoplasty (tummy tuck)
- fat injections (e.g. Brazilian butt lift)
Manual Lymphatic Drainage greatly aids in reducing swelling and bruising, and limits the development of unsightly scars that these procedures can leave.
Why is Post-Operative Manual Lymphatic Drainage important?
As can be imagined, the lymphatic system is naturally compromised following the trauma of surgery, with fluids tending to accumulate, leading to swelling, mobility problems and general discomfort. Isabel Viveros-Ciampi, a Clinical Manual Lymphatic Drainage therapist, is trained to use MLD to restore the natural working capacity of the lymphatic system, minimizing your swelling, bruising and soreness, and helping your wounds heal with minimal scarring.
Lymph drainage around the areas of liposuction and other plastic-surgery treatments greatly facilitates healing, helps to smoothen areas and eliminate lumps and indentations, contouring the skin so that your procedure is less noticeable over time.
In Europe and South America, surgeons have been prescribing MLD on a pre- and post-operative basis for decades, and the treatment has been established as standard practice. In the US, the benefits of the treatments are only now being fully appreciated.
Check out some photos around the web of what swelling and bruising looks like:
How many Post-Op MLD sessions will I need?
Typically, plastic surgeons recommend that their patients receive anywhere from 2 to 5 MLD sessions per week for up to one month following their surgery (10-20 sessions). In South America, it’s not uncommon to receive MLD twice a day during recovery!
Most of our MLD clients come to us via referral, because their plastic surgeons do not have MLD specialists on site, or because their surgery was performed outside of our area. If you are in need of treatment, you can contact us directly using the information on our contact page.
Do you recommend Manual Lymphatic Drainage prior to surgery?
Absolutely! MLD can be extremely beneficial to an upcoming plastic surgery procedure. You should have your MLD treatment 24 to 48 hours before surgery. This treatment will help prepare your body’s immune system for the surgery, helping to fortify it against the upcoming trauma.
Will the MLD treatment be painful?
While some of our post-op clients in extreme pain can’t bear the thought of someone applying even the slightest bit of pressure to their wounds, in most cases they are pleasantly surprised by Isabel’s delicate touch, especially when considering the very noticeable results that are achieved. Many times clients end up sleeping through most of the treatment.
Has your surgeon recommended Post-Operative Manual Lymphatic Drainage?
If you have yet to have your surgery, be sure to inquire with your plastic surgeon about post-op Manual Lymphatic Drainage. Ask him or her how many treatments per week are recommended, and how soon following surgery would be the best time to begin. You may ask your plastic surgeon to contact Isabel to plan a treatment regimen.
Plastic surgeons, please call to coordinate treatment options for your clients.
If you are a plastic surgeon and are not able to provide MLD treatments to your patient due to scheduling conflicts, travel limitations, etc., please contact us.
Can I come for an initial consultation?
Prospective post-op MLD clients are encouraged to make their first appointment with Isabel, at which time they will have their initial consultation and treatment, and then discuss follow-up visits. Clients can also book just a 30-minute consultation, either on a pre- or post-op basis, in order to learn more about Isabel and the Total Body Clinic, inquire about treatment options and expectations, etc . In all cases, the consultation fee of $50 is refunded after completing one MLD session. |
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About
Isabel Viveros-Ciampi’s
MLD training |
Isabel Viveros-Ciampi is a Clinical Manual Lymphatic Drainage therapist. She was first educted in MLD in Buenos Aires, Argentina, where she also practiced the technique. Her training there was extensive.
In the late 1990s, she dedicated nearly a year to exclusive training in Manual Lymphatic Drainage at the Dr. Vodder School of Argentina, in a course supervised by Virginia Cool of France, one of the earliest and longest practitioners of MLD and a student of MLD pioneer and “inventor” Emil Vodder. Isabel perfected her skills with follow-up courses with Cool, as well as with international experts Dr. Didier Tomson of the Foldi Clinic of Germany, Dr. Alberto Leduc of Belgium, Prof. Jean Michel Salétes of France, and Dr. Enrique Castells Garcia of Barcelona. More recently, to hone her MLD skills and receive feedback from other practicing professionals, Isabel has completed intensive Manual Lymphatic Drainage courses in the United States as well. In 2005 and 2006, she studied with Linda (Koby) Blanchfield, RMT, CLT-LANA and received certificates from the Dr. Vodder School International, for MLD for the Neck and Face.
She also completed two 88-hour intensive courses for professionals at the Swedish Institute in New York City, overseen and taught by Lymphedema specialist Michael Alatriste. In 2010 she completed level I and in 2011 she completed level II, with topics covered including preparation for surgery and rehabilitation, common cosmetic and reconstructive surgical procedures; MLD use in the treatment of common orthopedic surgeries, such as knee/hip replacement, and a thorough overview of breast cancer treatment. Also in 2011, she completed a course on Practical Applications of Manual Lymphatic Drainage with esteemed educator Carmen Thompson, whose training program is recognized by the National Lymphedema Network. |
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