Pressotherapy, manual lymphatic drainage massage (MLD) and strong lymphatic stimulation massage: the differences
How does pressotherapy compare with manual lymphatic drainage or with strong lymphatic stimulation massage?
Pressotherapy is a technique for circulation enhancement, lymphatic massage and cellulite reduction. It is provided by special equipment that comprises inflatable boots (or arm sleeves) that rhythmically inflate and deflate in order to pump lymph in the lymphatic vessels and blood in the veins of the legs (or arms) towards the heart.
Manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) is a very light lymphatic drainage massage technique that was developed in the 1930s. It is especially gentle and thereby very well suited to very weak, fragile or sensitive individuals and is the only technique suited to patients that had their lymph glands removed after cancer. However, this technique is not nearly as effective in healthy women (i.e. 95% of women) as pressotherapy or deep lymphatic stimulation massage are.
At our clinic we perform both types of lymphatic massage. However, we restrict the use of the very light technique only immediately after plastic surgery, when the tissues are very sensitive and fragile (in fact we combine this technique with electrostatic therapy - also known as deep oscillation therapy - for maximum results). In all other cases (i.e. cellulite reduction or lymphatic drainage for non-cosmetic surgery cases), we either use pressotherapy or deep lymphatic stimulation massage, or a combination of both. This is because the soft lymphatic massage is simply not nearly as effective as our lymphatic stimulation massage technique.
A lot of new clients initially ask for the usual light and "fluffy" lymph massage technique (MLD) which they have tried elsewhere, but as soon as they try our deeper lymphatic massage technique or our pressotherapy (or the combination of both) they never go back to the light, old-fashioned method. This is because they experience faster and more pronounced results.
Another drawback of soft manual lymphatic drainage massage is that it has to be applied on dry skin or with the use of talcum powder. In contrast, pressotherapy and strong, deep lymphatic stimulation massage can be applied with a good anti-cellulite cream and thereby offer your body synergistic results. This is because both pressotherapy and deep lymphatic drainage enhance the absorption of anti-cellulite creams. A good cellulite cream in return, can boost lymphatic drainage and circulation, adding to the results of the treatment.













