In a word, YES! Here are a few facts to keep in mind when considering the hiring of an MLD practitioner:

Manual Lymphatic Drainage 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, authoritative educators of lymph drainage are few and far between, and often travel around the country to give exclusive, intensive 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.

For your own sake, before submitting yourself to an MLD session, inquire about your therapist’s training in this area! Remember, MLD is NOT taught in massage school. If his or her training consisted of a short course completed in one weekend, it’s not likely that you will get the results you are seeking.

Total Body Clinic’s owner and operator Isabel Viveros-Ciampi is one the most highly trained MLD professionals in Northern New Jersey. See our page on Lymphatic Drainage for more on her background.

Undergoing cosmetic or reconstructive surgery is one of the biggest life decisions a woman will make.

But little thought goes into post-op treatment and recovery. 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!

Can you imagine being asked to get on your hands and knees to have your wax done? Good grief! But it happens out there at other wax places – every day. Waxing horror stories abound—being treated in unclean facilities, being attended to by a gum-chewing waxer with multiple piercings, leaving the place still feeling all sticky, getting home and finding missed patches of hair, or worse—ripped skin! We are well aware of the common complaints of women who regularly wax their bikini areas. Rest assured that we have thought long and hard about how to provide our clients with the best waxing service possible!

For example, many complain that their waxing sessions are rushed and that estheticians don’t always remove all hair from the treated area. Did you know that franchise “wax centers” maximize their profits by pressuring estheticians to finish their Brazilian treatment within 20 minutes or face reprimand? They’ll even stand in the room with you while you undress and dress again so you won’t take too long primping! At Total Body Skin Care and Wellness Spa, our estheticians will dote on you in an unrushed manner, tweeze out every last hair, and even hand you a mirror to inspect our job.

Another common criticism of women who wax is the pain experienced during the session.

However, our experienced team knows how to minimize any discomfort, winning welcome sighs of relief from our clients. We also provide numbing spray for clients and encourage open dialogue so as not to exceed your pain threshold.

Other women complain that they have been put in embarrassing or even humiliating positions during their Brazilian bikini waxing sessions. At Total Body Skin Care and Wellness Spa, your dignity and modesty are paramount—before, during, and after your hair removal treatment. Disposable underwear and hygienic wipes are always provided for you upon entering the waxing room. You will undress in complete privacy and get comfortable on our table with a small towel to cover yourself. We’ll be able to perform the entire service while you lie down, though we may ask you to pull your knees toward your face so we can finish. When the treatment is finished, we will apply a wax remover and then leave you alone to allow you time to get dressed again.

Ready to try us out?

Our Brazilian Wax service in Wayne, NJ, is close to Lincoln Park, Fairfield, Totowa, Clifton, Little Falls, Riverdale, Oakland, and Pompton Lakes. We have many excellent waxing reviews on Yelp and other review sites. You can consult our wax menu here.

Is Lymphatic Drainage Painful? The simple answer is certainly no! Lymphatic drainage should generally not be painful. In fact, manual lymphatic drainage massage is typically a very gentle and relaxing technique.  

Here are reasons why pain is not expected during Manual Lymphatic Drainage and what it might indicate if you experience it. 

Why Lymphatic Drainage Needs to Be Gentle 

Superficial System: The lymphatic vessels are located just beneath the skin's surface. Lymphatic drainage techniques, especially methods like the Vodder Method, focus on these superficial vessels. 

Light Pressure: The pressure applied during lymphatic drainage is very light, often described as the weight of a nickel or a dime. It's not anything like deep tissue massage. The goal is to gently stretch the skin to encourage lymph fluid movement, not to manipulate muscles.

Focus on Rhythm and Direction: The effectiveness of manual lymphatic drainage lies in the specific rhythmic and repetitive movements and how they are applied systematically in the direction of lymph flow, rather than deep pressure or quick gyrations of the hands over your body. 

Click here to review our menu of Lymphatic Drainage offerings.

What Pain During Lymphatic Drainage Might Indicate 

If you experience pain during or after a lymphatic drainage session, it could indicate a few things: 

Too Much Pressure: The therapist might be applying too much pressure, which can be counterproductive and even damage delicate lymphatic vessels.  

Underlying Inflammation or Injury: If there is significant inflammation, infection, or a recent injury in the area being treated, even gentle touch might be uncomfortable. 

Misunderstanding of the Technique: The practitioner might not be properly trained in lymphatic drainage and could be performing a different type of massage. 

Individual Sensitivity: While rare, some individuals might have heightened sensitivity to touch. 

Pre-existing Conditions: Certain medical conditions might make the area tender. 

Check out this series of videos explaining how Lymphatic Drainage is performed.

Is Lymphatic Drainage Painful? Schedule Your Free Consulation 

If you experienced pain during a previous manual lymphatic drainage service, it might be that your therapist was not properly trained. For next time, seek out a qualified therapist! Ensure you are seeing a therapist specifically trained and certified in manual lymphatic drainage. The Certified Vodder Method practitioners at our Wayne NJ Day Spa understand how to best manipulate the body to maximize lymphatic drainage, and this does not involve brusque movements or pressing on or near wounds. 

Seek Out Certified Lymphatic Therapists 

Massage therapists at Total Body in Wayne NJ have been certified by the most prestigious institutions in the US and abroad and have thousands of hours of practical experience providing Vodder-style manual lymphatic drainage, recognized as the gold standard in the field. Their diplomas are proudly on display at our Wayne NJ Day Spa.

Therapists who practice lymphatic drainage must have a thorough understanding of the lymphatic system's anatomy and the direction of lymph flow. In general, this is unlike massage techniques, as massage therapists are trained to massage the muscles toward the heart, because it helps your circulatory system return blood to your heart and lungs. Total Body’s certified MLD practitioners are extremely familiar with these important differences.

There are Contradications for Manual Lymphatic Drainage

To review: is Lymphatic Drainage Painful? It shouldn't be. Manual Lymphatic Drainage is a gentle and specialized treatment that can be very beneficial. Please keep in mind that it is not suitable for everyone. There are several contraindications, which are conditions under which MLD should not be performed. Contraindications can be absolute (meaning MLD should never be done) or relative (meaning MLD might be possible under specific circumstances and with medical guidance). We go over these contraindications shortly after your booking with us.

The Vodder Method, also known as Vodder Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD), is a gentle, hands-on technique developed by Dr. Emil Vodder and his wife Estrid in the 1930s in France. It is a specialized technique that focuses on stimulating the lymphatic system to encourage the natural flow of lymph fluid throughout the body.

At Total Body Skin Care and Wellness Spa in Wayne NJ, the only form of Lymphatic Drainage that we employ is the Vodder Method.

The Vodder Method Features Gentle and Rhythmic Movements

Unlike traditional massage, the Vodder Method uses light, rhythmic, andrepetitive strokes. The pressure applied is very light, working primarily with the skin and the superficial lymphatic vessels just beneath it, rather than deep into the muscles.

The Vodder Method employs four basic hand strokes.

• Stationary Circles: Gentle circular movements performed with the pads of the fingers or the palm of the hand.
• Pump Technique: Rhythmic pushing and releasing motions, often used on larger areas.
• Scoop Technique: A scooping motion used to move fluid along the lymphatic pathways.
• Rotary Technique:A spiral-like movement used on various parts of the body.
  
  

Knowing the Direction of Lymph Flow is Key!

The strokes are always directed along the natural pathways of the lymphatic system, guiding the lymph fluid towards the lymph nodes for filtration and drainage. Therapists who practice lymphatic drainage must have a thorough understanding of the lymphatic system's anatomy and the direction of lymph flow. In general, this is unlike massage techniques, as massage therapists are trained to massage the muscles toward the heart, because it helps your circulatory system return blood to your heart and lungs. Total Body’s certified MLD practitioners are extremely familiar with these important differences.

Is Your Therapist Using Oil? That’s not Vodder!

The Vodder technique is performed directly on the skin without the use of oils or lotions, allowing for better skin stretching and manipulation.At Total Body, our certified MLD therapists do not use any creams or oils.

How to Begin a Lymphatic Drainage Massage

Treatments often begin by "clearing" the lymph nodes in the neck and groinareasto create space for fluid to move from more distal areas.At our Wayne NJ facility, we also start our services off with diagphragmatic breathing to maximize fluid movement.

Therapeutic Goals of Lymphatic Drainage

The Vodder Method aims to:

• Reduce swelling and edema (fluid retention).
• Detoxify the body by promoting the removal of waste products.
• Boost the immune system by improving lymphatic circulation.oRelieve pain.
• Promote relaxation and reduce stress.

Our bodies possess an intricate and often overlooked system crucial for immunity and waste removal: the lymphatic system. Unlike the circulatory system with its powerful pump (the heart), the lymphatic system relies on muscle contractions, breathing and movement to circulate lymph fluid, a clear fluid carrying waste products, bacteria, and viruses away from tissues. When this system becomes sluggish or blocked, it can lead to fluid retention, swelling, fatigue, and a weakened immune response. This is where lymphatic drainage comes in.

Total Body Wayne and Lymphatic Drainage 

Manual lymphatic drainage is a gentle technique aimed at stimulating the natural flow of lymph. It involves light, rhythmic strokes applied in specific directions, following the pathways of the lymphatic vessels. This manual manipulation encourages the movement of stagnant lymph fluid, helping to flush out toxins and reduce swelling. At Total Body Skin Care and Wellness Spa in Wayne NJ, the only form of lymphatic drainage that we employ is the Vodder Method.  

Lymphatic Drainage Benefits 

The benefits of lymphatic drainage are numerous. It can significantly reduce edema (swelling) caused by injury, surgery (especially lymph node removal), or certain medical conditions. By removing waste products, it can boost the immune system, making the body more resilient to infections. Many also experience reduced fatigue, improved skin health, and a feeling of lightness after a session.  

Certified Lymphatic Drainage in Wayne NJ 

Please keep in mind that licensed massage therapists are generally not trained in lymphatic drainage when they graduate from massage school. States do not require them to have skills in this area at all. Instead, massage therapists must train specifically in manual lymphatic drainage with a specialized institute after they receive their massage license. Theory and practice usually requires upwards of 50 to 150 hours of training. Even then, many years of practice and refresher classes are often required to master the techniques. Our Wayne NJ Day Spa features two certified manual lymphatic drainage experts with hundreds of hours of classroom time and thousands of hours of practical experience. 

Free Consulation for Your Lymphatic Drainage Questions and Concerns 

Whether you're recovering from surgery, experiencing persistent swelling, or simply looking to enhance your overall well-being, understanding and supporting your lymphatic system through lymphatic drainage can be a powerful step towards a healthier and more vibrant you. Consulting with one of our certified lymphatic drainage therapists can help determine if this technique is right for your individual needs.  

We get asked here and there if we offer Groupons or deals from other coupon firms. The answer is no, and there are many reasons. But the main reason we don’t accept Groupons is because it is unfair to our longtime, faithful clientele.

Groupon and others do offer great deals to people, no doubt about that. And we don’t begrudge people for using Groupons, not at all. We use them ourselves sometimes. But there is no denying that Groupon has created a class of client that bounces around from spa to spa, salon to salon, based on the deal of the month being offered.

We’ve read many horror stories of Groupon deals being so wildly successful that the establishments ended up going out of business because they could not afford to offer their service at such a cheap price! 

Many don’t realize, that when a company offers a Groupon deal at 50% off – say a $100 haircut for $50 – Groupon actually wants $25 of the $50, leaving the merchant with just $25 instead of $100! This may be great for new establishments that need to generate lots of traffic and hopefully land some new, permanent clients. For us, since we rely mostly on repeat business and operate at close to full capacity, this is not the case.

Total Body Values Faithful Clients Over Groupon Traffic

We can’t imagine having to tell faithful clients of ours that we’re fully booked and have no openings, because of the 100s of responses to our Groupon ad. We’re sure our regular clients won’t appreciate taking a back seat to Groupon customers who have come simply to take advantage of a one-time deal.

And furthermore, what we seek as an establishment is to develop long-term relationships with our clientele, welcoming them over and over to our establishment. Rather than giving enormous discounts to bargain-hunting clients, we believe that our faithful, returning customers are the ones who deserve a little extra attention now and then – a special discount, an additional 10 minutes on their massage, a coupon on their birthday, etc.