lymph drainage therapy
Amelia Mitchell, LMT is a state licensed and nationally certified massage therapist who specializes in Lymph Drainage Therapy, (LDT) a gentle technique that supports one of the body's most important systems, the lymphatic system. Our lymphatic system detoxifies and regenerates our body's tissue, filters out toxins and foreign substances and maintains a healthy immune system.
Amelia specializes in LDT for Sinuses & Allergies, Post-surgery, especially with Joint Replacement and Cosmetic/Plastic Surgeries and for Detoxification, particularly during weight loss.
Amelia continues to advance her Lymph Drainage Therapy training with the Upledger Institute.
"A few months ago I started having swelling and discomfort in my hands and was diagnosed with carpal tunnel. The doctor immediately said I should have surgery. I mentioned the carpal tunnel to Amelia and she suggested doing some lymphatic work along with my general massage. Immediate relief, and needless to say, I don't plan on having surgery." CH, Annapolis
benefits of ldt
In essence, Lymph Drainage Therapy works to help re-circulate body fluids, clear stagnant areas between the cells, stimulate optimal function of the immune system and promote a state of relaxation and balance within the autonomic nervous system. It has been shown that when these actions are accomplished the results can include:
- Reduction in edema (swelling)
- Detoxification of the body
- Improved recovery from joint replacement surgeries
- Reduced pain and swelling during recovery from plastic surgeries such as tummy tucks, breast augmentation or reductions, facial surgeries, liposuction
- Relief from sinus infections
- Regeneration of tissues: from burns or scarring
- Valuable health support both pre- and post-surgery
- Anti-aging effects
- Relief of chronic inflammation and conditions such as acne, rosacea, eczema and allergies
- Immune system stimulation for preventive and therapeutic effects
- Reduction in the symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia
- Relief of chronic pain
- Deep relaxation aids relief from insomnia, depression, stress, loss of vitality and loss of memory
Additional details about scheduling your session, office location, session rates and office hours can be found here on the home page.
"Each time I have visited Amelia, I have felt well cared for, physically and emotionally. She is an expert in her field as well as a warm and genuine person to interact with." - A, licensed clinical social worker
your ldt session
Lymph Drainage Therapy sessions are generally scheduled for one hour. Most clients receive LDT just like a massage, fully draped while relaxing on the massage table. LDT can also be received fully clothed. A very gentle touch is used, which stimulates the flow of lymph, opens pathways and optimizes cellular regeneration.
Your session can focus exclusively on LDT, or the therapy can be combined with other Therapeutic and Restorative Techniques, such as Massage and CranioSacral Therapy, to best meet your individual needs.
Additional details about scheduling your session, office location, session rates and office hours can be found here on the home page.
"Amelia is incredibly skilled, but she is also talented, capable of bringing deep connection to those she works with and using her talents to heal from the inside out." - AM, Annapolis
sinus & allergies
When the sinuses are infected or suffering from allergies, the tissue within the sinuses can become extremely swollen and inflamed. LDT is very effective at reducing the inflammation and swelling within the sinuses, as well as improving the lymphatic flow in the entire head and neck region. This allows the sinuses to drain, the body to heal and the cycle of inflammatory response to subside.
In short, lymph drainage therapy is a soothing, gentle, non-invasive hands-on therapy that very effectively supports the health of your sinuses.
"I look forward to my sessions with Amelia and I recommend her highly to anyone seeking an effective and gentle healing touch." KW, Columbia
joint replacement surgeries
After such an invasive surgery, the body has a great deal of work to do to heal the damaged tissue as well as integrate new foreign body part(s) into the system. Lymph Drainage Therapy increases the function of the immune system and can do it in a focused and specific way to directly address the challenges of a joint replacement. This helps the body reduce inflammation and speeds healing, which means it doesn't hurt as much and there is more freedom of movement in the joint. This gets the joint replacement patient moving more comfortably, sooner.
Often LDT is used in support of the requisite Physical Therapy and in combination with Therapeutic Massage, speeding results and helping the patient return to an active, pain-free life sooner and easier.
"I want to tell everyone about the amazing experience I had in Amelia's hands. Amelia is very caring and works with your body, not on it." - KK
plastic & cosmetic surgeries
We have amazing medical procedures available to us these days, and there are many people who choose to have an elective procedure to change their body to an image they find more pleasing. These surgeries often involve large incisions, the removal of skin, adipose and connective tissue, as well as liposuction or reconstructive techniques. All of these actions can damage or destroy the lymphatic pathways in the effected area.
Now, the good news is that the body is very resilient and will repair and rebuild quite well. The even better news is that Lymph Drainage Therapy can speed up the process by reducing the swelling, bruising and inflammation, which will reduce the pain and help the body shift to its new contours more quickly and gently.
LDT can begin within days of your surgery, or start at any time later, especially if there is an area that is healing slowly or particularly inflamed. (Please contact your doctor immediately if infection is a concern.)
Cosmetic surgery of the face is very fine and exacting work. LDT can be a great support here also, helping the body rebuild the lymphatic pathways, reducing swelling and bruising and speeding healing. A very gentle touch is used for all LDT, especially around the face and after any surgery.
"Thanks to Amelia's lymphatic work, I recovered much quicker." - HM, Davidsonville
detox
The body does its best to clear out waste products, cellular debris and excess fluid on a moment-by-moment basis. It does a great job most of the time. And, stress, age and other factors can challenge the lymph system.
Regularly detoxifying through diet and supplements can assist the body in minimizing the effects of these stressors. LDT is very effective at amp-ing up and enhancing the detoxification of the body. This is especially helpful and important when one is healing from a debilitating condition, under a great deal of stress or involved in a weight loss program. At these times, giving the body the extra support can make the process more comfortable and much more successful.
If you have been told that your lymphatic system is sluggish or stagnant, your body is carrying more fluid than it needs or that your body is particularly toxic; LDT will assist your body to easily resolve the situation and enhance your health.
"I truly believe that taking the time to receive massages and the lymphatic work contributed to me getting pregnant with my second child." - KG
one note
The work that Amelia provides is properly referred to as Lymph Drainage (yes, it rhymes with massage) Therapy.
We prefer not to call it Lymph Massage. This distinction is important, because for the medical situations and benefits described above, a qualified LDT therapist is required. While there are many massage therapists (as well as PTs, OTs and RNs) that have the advanced training in LDT such as Amelia, and some of them do refer to their work as lymph massage, we would prefer to use more specific terms about the therapy that you will receive. There are also very short correspondence courses in Lymph Massage that do not qualify a therapist to do the level of work described above.
lymphedema
Amelia does not work with Lymphedema patients as their primary therapist, and does not plan to do so even after she receives her certification for this specialty.
Lymphedema care is often best handled within a hospital or clinic setting with multiple therapists as such patients often need almost daily care. The Lymph Drainage Therapy Amelia provides can be a valuable addition to a treatment plan developed by a Lymphadema specialist.
Amelia can provide long-term support to patients who are at risk of Lymphadema, such as post-cancer surgeries, to help them avoid ever developing the disease. These patients do need to have an educational session with a specialist, before working with Amelia, to be sure that they understand the required lifestyle modifications and warning signs to be aware of.
newsletter
Amelia regularly publishes an informative newsletter that often includes useful tips or a monthly special.
Click to Visit the Newsletter Archive
Tight Bra Syndrome
This 2008 newsletter article has gotten a lot of attention. Click here to go to a .pdf file, so you can read it yourself.
contact
You can reach Amelia at 410-570-8927, or via email connect at ameliamitchell.com.
Amelia Mitchell, LMT
owner, Ease, Joy &, Alchemy, LLC
our offices are located at the
Chesapeake Holistic Health Center
528C College Parkway
Annapolis, MD 21409