Lymphedema & Manual Lymph Drainage

Swelling that will not settle is exhausting, and most people are told to live with it. There is more that can be done. Complete Decongestive Therapy is a specialised approach to managing swelling and lymphatic congestion, and it is now available at Radius with a certified therapist. If you are dealing with lymphedema, swelling after an operation, or fluid that keeps building in a limb, we can help you manage it properly.

What Complete Decongestive Therapy is

Complete Decongestive Therapy, usually shortened to CDT, is a gentle, specialised approach used to support the lymphatic system and manage swelling and lymphatic congestion. It is not one technique but four, used together and adjusted to what your body needs:

• Manual Lymphatic Drainage. A light, rhythmic hands-on technique that encourages the movement of lymph fluid through the lymphatic system.
• Compression. Bandaging or garments that help reduce swelling and hold the results between appointments.
• Therapeutic exercise. Specific movements that support lymphatic flow, done while wearing compression.
• Skin care. Looking after the skin properly, which matters more than most people realise when swelling is ongoing.

Treatment is built around you. Depending on what you are dealing with, a session may use all four components or focus on one or two.

Manual Lymph Drainage on its own

Manual Lymph Drainage, or MLD, can also be booked by itself. It is a light, rhythmic hands-on technique that encourages the movement of lymph fluid through the lymphatic system. It feels nothing like a deep tissue massage. The pressure is deliberately gentle, because the lymphatic vessels sit close to the surface and firm pressure works against what we are trying to do.

What it may help with

Manual Lymph Drainage and Complete Decongestive Therapy may be beneficial for:

• Lymphedema
• Post-surgical swelling
• Injury-related edema
• Lipedema
• Other conditions involving fluid accumulation

Treatments are individualised based on your needs, and may focus on reducing swelling, improving fluid movement and supporting tissue health. If you are not sure whether it is right for what you are dealing with, book an assessment and we will give you a straight answer.

Who provides it

Chloé Hemenway is a Registered Massage Therapist and a certified Complete Decongestive Therapist, having completed all three levels of the Vodder School programme. The Vodder method is the recognised training route for this work, and completing all three levels is what allows full CDT to be delivered rather than lymphatic massage alone.

Her schedule is open for CDT assessments and treatments now.

What to expect at your appointment

Your first visit starts with an assessment. We want to understand what is causing the swelling, how long it has been there, what you have already tried and what a good outcome looks like for you. If you have been given a diagnosis or instructions by a doctor, bring them.

From there you get a plan rather than a one-off treatment. Swelling management usually works best as a course of sessions with work you do between them, and we will be honest with you about what that is likely to involve before you commit to anything.

How this differs from a regular massage

It is a common mix-up, and booking the wrong one wastes your appointment. A regular or deep tissue massage works into muscle with firm pressure. Manual Lymph Drainage works on the lymphatic system with very light, rhythmic pressure and follows specific pathways. If your goal is a tight shoulder, book a massage. If your goal is swelling, book this.

Appointments and pricing

• Complete Decongestive Therapy, 60 minutes: $140
• Manual Lymph Drainage Massage, 60 minutes: $140

Both are booked directly through our online booking with Chloé. If you are unsure which one to choose, book the Complete Decongestive Therapy assessment and we will point you the right way.

Coverage and billing

These appointments are provided by a Registered Massage Therapist and are covered under most extended health plans in Nova Scotia the same way a massage appointment is. No referral is needed to book. We direct bill most insurance companies, so in most cases you pay only your portion at the end of the appointment. If you are unsure what your plan covers, call us and we will help you check before you book.

Common questions

Do I need a referral? No. You can book directly. If a doctor has given you a diagnosis or instructions, bring them along so we can work with them.

Does it hurt? No. Manual Lymph Drainage is deliberately light. Most people find it very relaxing.

How many sessions will I need? It depends on the cause of the swelling and how long it has been there. You will get an honest estimate at your assessment rather than a package sold up front.

Can I have this alongside physiotherapy? Yes, and often that is the better plan. Our physiotherapists and massage therapists work under one roof, so your care stays joined up.

Is this the same as a lymphatic drainage massage at a spa? Not quite. This is delivered by a Registered Massage Therapist with full Vodder certification in Complete Decongestive Therapy, and it is built around managing a clinical problem rather than a wellness treatment.

Book an assessment

Book online in a few clicks with Chloé, or call us at 902-864-4555. If you have been dealing with swelling and have not had a proper plan for it, that is exactly what the assessment is for.