Recovery is not just about what is happening to the muscles, joints, or tissues. The nervous system plays a major role in how we experience pain, inflammation, stress, swelling, and recovery.
This is one reason I combine relaxation-focused acupuncture with Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) in some of my treatments. The combination is gentle, calming, and designed to give the body an opportunity to shift out of a heightened state and into a more restorative one.
Why combine acupuncture and lymphatic drainage?
Manual Lymphatic Drainage is a light, rhythmic form of manual therapy that works with the lymphatic system. Unlike deeper forms of massage, MLD uses very gentle pressure and specific techniques to encourage lymphatic flow.
Acupuncture can be used alongside MLD with a focus on relaxation and nervous-system regulation. Rather than using a large number of stimulating points, I may use a smaller, intentional acupuncture treatment designed to help the body settle.
Together, these therapies can create a very quiet, restorative treatment experience.
Supporting recovery after surgery
After surgery, the body is dealing with a significant physical stressor. There may be swelling, tissue irritation, pain, changes in sensation, restricted movement, and emotional stress surrounding the recovery process.
MLD can be incorporated into a recovery plan to address swelling and fluid movement, while acupuncture can be used to support relaxation and help the nervous system settle.
This can be particularly useful for people who feel like their body is having a hard time coming down from the stress of surgery.
When the nervous system is already under a lot of stress
Some people are more prone to nervous-system dysregulation or heightened sensitivity. This can be seen in conditions such as fibromyalgia, lipedema, and some autoimmune conditions, although every person and every condition is different.
For someone with fibromyalgia or a sensitized nervous system, for example, a very deep or aggressive manual treatment may feel overwhelming. A gentler approach can be a better starting point.
With lipedema, MLD can be particularly helpful as part of an overall management strategy, especially when heaviness, swelling, or tissue discomfort are present. Combining it with relaxation acupuncture allows me to address both the physical and nervous-system aspects of the treatment.
A different kind of treatment
These sessions are intentionally different from a typical acupuncture appointment focused on treating a specific symptom with a larger acupuncture prescription.
Instead, the treatment may involve:
Relaxation-focused acupuncture
Manual Lymphatic Drainage
Gentle manual techniques
Time and space for the nervous system to settle
Cash-only treatment option
I offer combined relaxation acupuncture + Manual Lymphatic Drainage treatments as a cash-pay service.
*Please contact me for acupuncture insurance options.
These sessions are especially appropriate for people looking for a gentle, restorative treatment approach during recovery or for those who feel that their nervous system tends to stay "stuck on."
