It is a series of maneuvers carried out manually, with a slight slow pressure, which allows to reduce the localized swelling on the upper and lower limbs or on face. It acts on the accumulation of water in the tissues, contrasting the edema due to a deficiency of the venous system to the lymphatic system.
Through specific maneuvers it acts directly on the lymph drainage in the skin and in the subcutaneous layers of the first, favoring resorption. An incorrect use of the technique is likely to worsen the clinical picture, that is why our operators have followed a specific training program that provided an adequate scientific theory and practice. The technique involves different manual skills, according to the different regions of the body; the maneuvers are performed very slowly, to allow the lymphatic vessels to respond properly. The drainage must be performed without causing pain to the patient who must always receive a good feeling from the massage. The progression of the maneuvers is proximodistal and, before treating the anatomical regions concerned, it occurs the drainage of lymph nodes in the neck. The principle of this physiotherapy technique, called lymphatic drainage according to Vodder, is to free the lymph- nodal stations of destination and towards them it will be brought back the lymph of treated districts. The main directions of the manual lymphatic drainage are the lymphedema, the phlebopathy hypotonic constitutional, the oedematous-fibrous-sclerous dermopanniculosis (the so-called "cellulite)", edema post-traumatic and post-surgical.