During your first visit, you'll undergo a comprehensive consultation to discuss your health history and specific needs. This allows us to tailor the therapy to you. The session will take place in a soothing environment, ensuring your comfort throughout the experience. To best prepare for your session we recommend that you arrive hydrated and wear comfortable loose fitting clothing and refrain from eating at least and hour before your appointment.

To ensure a relaxing and beneficial experience, it's important to prepare for your massage session by arriving hydrated, wearing comfortable clothing, and communicating any specific areas of tension or discomfort to your therapist.

If you are experiencing swelling, inflammation, heaviness, post-surgical concerns, lymphedema, lipedema, pregnancy related swelling or want to support your immune or lymphatic health, we recommend booking a manual lymphatic drainage therapy session.

If you are looking for relaxation or therapeutic bodywork targeting the muscles, traditional massage therapy may be a better fit.

No. Manual Lymphatic Drainage is a specialized, clinical therapy focused on supporting the lymphatic system. It uses gentle and precise skin stretching and breathing techniques rooted in anatomy and physiology. While it is relaxing, it is not designed to address muscle tension like traditional massage.

MLD is a safe modality for most people and there are very few contraindications. This therapy may be considered if you have sinus congestion, feelings of sluggishness, or chronic autoimmune disorders such as lymphedema, lipoedema, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, chronic venous insufficiency, or post-surgical swelling. This is also great for anyone looking to support detoxification and enhance overall immunity.

If you have any chronic condition such as renal failure, kidney failure, acute infections, congestive heart failure, deep vein thrombosis, or certain types of active cancer like lymphoma MLD may not be appropriate for you and potentially cause harm. It is important that you follow up with your healthcare provider before starting MLD to see if MLD will be a safe and effective therapy for you. 

No, MLD should not be painful! It is a very gentle technique designed to be relaxing while focusing on increasing the flow of the lymphatic system.

MLD is generally a safe treatment with few side effects. Some people may experience an increase in urination, or slight fatigue as the body processes the lymphatic fluid more efficiently. Be wary of receiving MLD while having symptoms such as a fever or any other illness as it may speed up lymphatic reabsorption of pathogens putting your immune system under additional stress.  

The number of sessions depends on the health condition being treated and the individual's response to the therapy. Some people require a series of treatments over several weeks. Those looking for general wellness and a immune system boost may benefit from a monthly session while other with long-standing edema and post-operative care may benefit from 2 or more sessions in a month.

Coverage for MLD varies by insurance plan. We currently do not accept insurance plans at Mesmerize Holistic Therapies. We are only accepting FSA (Flexible Savings Account) and HSA (Health Savings Account.) It is best to check with your insurance company to see if MLD is covered with your plan. If your insurance covers Manual Lymphatic Drainage you may be able to submit your receipt after payment to your insurance company for reimbursement given you have a medical prescription from your treating Doctor to receive Manual Lymphatic Drainage.

Complete Decongestive Therapy (CDT) is the gold-standard, evidence-based treatment for managing lymphedema and chronic swelling. This comprehensive approach combines Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD), compression therapy, skin care, movement, and education to reduce swelling, improve lymphatic flow, and support long-term management.

This is not a one-time service, but a structured treatment approach designed to support lasting results.

Who it’s for:

Lymphedema (primary or secondary)

Chronic swelling or fluid retention

Post-cancer treatment recovery

Clients requiring ongoing lymphatic management

Benefits:

Reduces swelling and heaviness

Improves lymphatic circulation

Supports immune function

Helps prevent progression of lymphedema

Empowers clients with long-term self-management tools

Treatment Approach:

CDT is typically performed in phases:

Intensive Phase: More frequent sessions to reduce swelling

Maintenance Phase: Ongoing care and self-management to maintain results

We work closely with you to create a plan that fits your body, lifestyle, and goals.

Note:

Complete Decongestive Therapy is a clinical treatment approach and differs from traditional massage. Sessions are focused on therapeutic outcomes, education, and long-term lymphatic health.