Both needed and unexpected surgeries are life-changing events. Getting the aftercare, you need is vital for a speedy recovery. We take great enjoyment and satisfaction in the opportunities we have experienced in helping clients recover from their surgeries with specialized techniques like manual lymphatic drainage massage.

Lymphatic Drainage

What is manual lymphatic drainage (MLD)?

Manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) is a gentle form of massage that focuses on stimulating the lymphatic system, a network of vessels throughout your body that helps drain fluid and waste products away from tissues.

Here’s a breakdown of MLD:

Function: The lymphatic system plays a crucial role in your immune system function. It transports fluid, called lymph, which carries waste products, toxins, and excess fluid away from tissues and back into your bloodstream. MLD helps move this lymph fluid more efficiently.
Technique: Unlike traditional massage that focuses on muscles, MLD uses very light pressure and specific hand movements to gently stretch and stimulate the lymphatic vessels. It often follows a specific direction to move lymph fluid towards lymph nodes, which act as filters for the lymphatic system.
Benefits: MLD can offer a variety of benefits, including:
- Reduced swelling, particularly beneficial for lymphedema
- Improved circulation
- Boosted immune function
- Relief from pain and discomfort
- Speedier recovery after surgery
- Improved skin tone and texture

Many clients turn to post surgery lymphatic massage to support healing, reduce swelling, and speed up the recovery process.

How soon after surgery can I receive a massage?

Our team can start with post surgery lymphatic massage the day after surgery. One of the primary concerns healthcare professionals have is controlling edema, which is inflammation that occurs either from injury or surgery. Managing edema allows the body to heal faster and can prevent secondary injuries.

True “massage” or manipulation of the muscles won’t begin for a few weeks post-op. For this reason, massage and bodywork on the affected area will begin after wounds have healed.

The edema that occurs after surgery is an abundance of interstitial fluid. Following the R.I.C.E method (rest, ice, compression, and elevation) is beneficial. For quicker recovery, however, the slow, light, and methodical method of manual lymphatic drainage massage has been proven to help in orthopedic, cardiac, and cancer recovery.

For knee surgery specifically, studies have shown that lymphatic massage after knee replacement improves flexibility and reduces swelling in the early postoperative stages.

How many treatments should I have after surgery?

For optimal results, we highly recommend a 10–15 series of MLD appointments, 2–3 times a week. The recovery process of each client is different, and the type of surgery or injury will determine how a person heals. Additional series may be needed, which can be evaluated after completing a series.

After wounds have healed, we can begin work to help decrease scar tissue build-up and increase range of motion (ROM). Just as you would expect to see a physical therapist (PT) regularly, scheduling consistent sessions of post surgery lymphatic massage can greatly support long-term recovery.

What if I Cannot Drive the Day After Surgery?

In-home treatments are available for clients who cannot physically drive after surgery. Upon request, we offer three in-home sessions with the purchase of our 10 or 15 series packages. Pricing varies to allow for set-up and travel time of our therapist.

This ensures you receive your necessary lymphatic drainage after surgery treatments without delay.

What if I Have Drains, Stitches, Bandages, or Compression Garments On?

We work regularly with clients after surgeries. It is normal for us to see, help, and work with different situations a client may be in. Your comfort is our priority.

Will it hurt?:

Pain is a personal thing and each body is different. Typically MLD is not a painful treatment. MLD consists of soft manipulation of the lymph located just under the surface of the skin but above the muscle tissue.

It is typical to feel relief of pressure during and following the treatment. Pressure applied during a session is extremely light. Remember, manipulation of muscle is avoided until wounds and edema are significantly reduced.

After you have completed a 10–15 MLD series and wounds have healed, we can begin the process of working on scar tissue and muscle rehabilitation. This portion of recovery may be painful for some, but ongoing communication between therapist and client ensures steady progress without being too aggressive.

What can I expect after the Lymph series is over?

As you begin to recover after swelling has reduced and wounds have healed, we may use additional methods such as cupping, IASTM (instrument-assisted soft tissue manipulation), and massage.

For clients recovering from surgery, lymphatic drainage after surgery is often paired with other recovery methods to maximize healing, reduce pain, and restore mobility.

Book Your Manual Lymphatic Drainage Massage Today – Start Healing Faster!

Aside from the surgery, an injury can effect many other areas of the body during the healing process.

If you are wanting a full body massage with cupping or IASTM we kindly request you schedule a 90-120 minute appointment. We want to help you get the most out of your treatments so we ask that you plan to give us more time if you need full bodywork during a session.

Clients focused on recovering from a specific injury only need a 60 minute appointment to receive detailed bodywork on the injured and surrounding area. Sixty minute appointments are not sufficient for detailed full bodywork.

The Lymphatic system does not have a pump, this is why R.I.C.E. and MLD is critical for helping to decrease the swelling and edema. After our series is over you may experience swelling still, if this occurs you may need additional treatments or will want to be diligent with your R.I.C.E applications at home. You can also check out our lymphatic drainage course which includes MLD IASTM Cupping instructions for at home care and recovery. This is a good way to continue treatment in the comfort of home at times convenient for you.

Floating After Surgery – Another Method for Recovery

We also recommend float sessions after wounds have healed. Float pods, often used by professional athletes, can assist in healing the body and calming the mind. Recovery affects both physical and mental health, and floating can significantly reduce pain, depression, anxiety, and improve sleep quality.

It’s an excellent complement to lymphatic drainage after surgery for both body and mind.

Scientific study on floating:

“Patients experience of pain intensity at its worst-

Analysis of inter-action (paired samples ttest, 5% level) indicated that the experimental group experienced less severe pain after treatment than before treatment.

Depression-

The results indicated that there was a significant difference in depression assessment before and after treatment (F[1,32]=5.51; Eta2=0.13; P=0.025); the degree of depression was reduced after treatment. There was a significant correlation between groups and degree of depression before and after treatments (F[1,32]=5.04; Eta2=0.12; P=0.032).

Anxiety-

The analysis indicated that there was a significant difference in anxiety before and after treatment (F[1,33]=6.88; Eta2=0.17; P=0.013); level of anxiety decreased after treatment.

Time to sleep onset-

There was a significant difference in time to sleep onset before and after treatment (F[1,32]=4.71;

Eta2=0.20, P=0.038). Time to sleep onset was shorter after treatment than before treatment. There was a significant correlation between time (minutes awake) and sleep onset before and after treatments and group (F[1,32]=4.71; Eta2=0.23; P=0.038). Interaction analysis (paired samples ttest, 5% level) showed that the experimental group fell asleep more quickly after treatment than before treatment.”

FAQs : Manual Lymphatic Drainage Massage After Surgery

Does lymphatic drainage really help swelling after liposuction?
Yes, manual lymphatic drainage massage is often recommended after liposuction. It helps reduce swelling, improve circulation, and speed up the body’s natural healing process. By encouraging fluid movement, this treatment can also minimize discomfort and improve skin texture during recovery.
How soon after surgery should I start lymphatic drainage?
You can usually begin post surgery lymphatic massage within a day or two after your procedure, depending on your doctor’s recommendation. Early treatment helps control swelling, reduce discomfort, and prevent fluid buildup that slows healing.
How many sessions of lymphatic drainage after surgery are needed?
Most clients benefit from a series of 10–15 sessions of lymphatic drainage after surgery, typically scheduled 2–3 times per week. The exact number depends on the type of surgery, your healing progress, and individual recovery needs.
Is lymphatic massage after knee replacement effective?
Yes, studies show that lymphatic massage after knee replacement can help improve flexibility, reduce swelling, and support faster rehabilitation. It works best when combined with conventional post-surgery care such as physical therapy.

Article written by: Katrina Long

Katrina Long has been a Utah Licensed Massage Therapist for 22 years and is the co-owner of Summit Spa & Float located in Spanish Fork & Park City Utah.

Her love for massage came at the early age of 14 when as a gymnast she received therapy that helped to facilitate her getting back into the gym and competing. To her Massage has never been viewed as something you do to feel good or relax, it’s always been a necessary avenue to repairing and fixing ailments of the body so that a person can have a better quality of life.

Having been diagnosed with rare muscle paralysis disease she has found that the combination of both natural and prescribed medicines can truly be beneficial to a persons wellbeing.

Training for her Massage Therapy apprenticeship was done in Aiea, Hawaii and her Anatomy through BYU.

She is the wife of a first responder and a mother of 4. She loves water sports, canyoneering, beekeeping, and enjoyed the 4 years spent being involved in her community as an elected official.

By day you may see her as a put together professional, but in the early morning and weekends you can find her with her muck boots on, feeding animals with hay in her hair or covered in dirt from gardening.

Article Citations:

Orthopedic: Ebert JR, Joss B, Jardine B, Wood DJ. Randomized trial investigating the efficacy of manual lymphatic drainage to improve early outcome after total knee arthroplasty. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2013 Nov;94(11):2103-11. doi: 10.1016/j.apmr.2013.06.009. Epub 2013 Jun 26. PMID: 23810354.

Breast Cancer: Suami H, Heydon-White A, Mackie H, Czerniec S, Koelmeyer L, Boyages J. A new indocyanine green fluorescence lymphography protocol for identification of the lymphatic drainage pathway for patients with breast cancer-related lymphoedema. BMC Cancer. 2019 Oct 22;19(1):985. doi: 10.1186/s12885-019-6192-1. PMID: 31640623; PMCID: PMC6806520.