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The following are a few frequently asked questions (FAQs) regarding our services. If you have any concerns not addressed here, please feel free to contact us.
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Appointments can be scheduled by either booking online or by calling/texting us at 608.203.8550. You can also access our waitlist through the Booksy app.
Every day, about 20 liters of plasma (the liquid part of your blood) flow out of tiny pores in the thin walls of your capillaries. Imagine water seeping out of a sponge. Where does this liquid go? It delivers oxygen and nutrients to the tissues surrounding each capillary. The tissues hungrily soak up all the nutrients while leaving behind waste (like a kid who finishes their food but leaves behind a pile of sticky napkins).
The plasma doesn’t mind cleaning up the mess — it picks up the waste and then returns to your bloodstream the same way it came, by flowing back through the pores in your capillary walls. Each day, about 17 liters of plasma return to your bloodstream in this way. Since 20 liters initially flowed out of your capillary walls, that means 3 liters are still roaming around in your body’s tissues.
That’s where your lymphatic system steps in. Tiny lymphatic capillaries pick up this remaining fluid from your tissues. The fluid changed its name during its journey: now instead of plasma, it’s called lymph. Your lymphatic capillaries move the lymph into larger tubes called lymphatic vessels.
These vessels keep the lymph moving until it ultimately reaches one of two major ducts in your upper chest. These are called your right lymphatic duct and thoracic duct, and they’re a bit like highway on-ramps. They merge into large veins called your subclavian veins and empty the lymph into them. From there, your lymph reenters your bloodstream and can flow through your body again.
A good analogy for the lymph system and how inflammation affects the lymph system:
Now imagine an acute injury or trauma like a sprained ankle – this looks like turning the shower water off and putting the bathtub water on full blast for a short period of time. Let’s say 20 mins. There is standing water but eventually your body (the bathtub drains) are able to move this excess fluid through, leaving no standing water after a couple of days.
Imagine chronic inflammation, like in the case of an autoimmune disease. This looks like turning the shower water off and putting the bathtub water on a slow steady stream forever. There is always a small amount of standing water in the bathtub because this stream is always larger than the amount of shower water and your drains can only handle the amount of water produced when the shower is turned on.
Now imagine lymphedema, which can be from lymph node removal, trauma, radiation or scar tissue. This is like taking away some of the drains. There is no excess water, just not enough drains to allow for no standing water.
What causes inflammation?
Lymph is a by-product of blood flow. With inflammation, we have more blood flow and then more lymph. Therefore, inflammation affects the lymphatic system.
Possible causes of inflammation (although it is different for everyone)
We look at all of the above factors that could play a role in inflammation and then assign them as either a pebble, rock or boulder.
We imagine a cylindrical vase filled half way with water and start adding in your individual inflammatory factors into the vase. We begin to see symptoms of inflammation when the vase overflows.
For example, if you have an autoimmune disease (this would be a boulder), have a sensitivity to gluten (pebble) and a close relative just passed away (rock), this could be enough to tip the water over the edge. We often make referrals to other professionals that can help manage your pebbles, rocks and boulders so we can focus on what we do, which is treat the overflow of inflammation (i.e. lymphatic fluid) that we see.
Your practitioner will require you to fill out a health history form. If you are a new patient, please be sure to fill out your intake form online in advance by going to the FORMS section of the menu and completing the appropriate intake form. This ensures beginning the session on time.
Your therapist will begin by asking you intake questions to establish what your concerns are if there are any conditions needing to be addressed and to determine if bodywork is appropriate for you. The therapist may perform certain assessments and testing to evaluate your condition.
Your practitioner will leave the treatment room for you to have privacy while getting ready for your session. They will knock on the door before they come in. Once they are in the room, they will make any necessary adjustments for your comfort before beginning the session. Feel free to ask any questions that may come up for you.
At the end of the session, feel free to take a moment on the table to stretch and “come back into your body”. Once you are up and dressed, a conversation about your session will take place in your treatment room and any questions you may have or suggestions from the practioner can be discussed at this time.
Your session will take place in a warm, comfortable, quiet room. Soft music will be played to help you relax. You will lie on a table especially designed for your comfort. Lighting and temperature in the treatment rooms are also adjustable to fit your personal liking.
Depending on the primary technique your practitioner uses, you may or may not need to fully undress. For a full body therapeutic massage, most people undress completely. However, you may choose to wear underwear. Your massage therapist will give you privacy to undress, and you will be covered with a sheet and blanket at all times except the area being worked on.
Manual lymphatic drainage is best performed while the patient is fully undressed, as restrictive clothing and elastic bands can obstruct good lymphatic flow. That said, you will always be covered with a sheet or towel during the session.
Massage and MLD can be profoundly relaxing, affecting all your bodies systems. Give yourself a moment to reorient before slowly getting up. After an initial period of feeling slowed down, people often experience an increase in energy that can last for several days.
With Manual Lymphatic Drainage, it’s not uncommon for people to feel a number of symptoms associated with removing inflammation causing/toxins such as headache, or feeling tired. Sometimes you may not feel dramatic results right away. Watch for changes over the following days, such as pain relief, increased mobility, or reduced stress.
Because lymphatic fluid is released through urination, it’s not uncommon for people to find themselves in the bathroom more frequently after a MLD appointment.
You might be more sensitive in certain areas, but it shouldn’t hurt. Acupuncture needles are usually not painful on areas of thicker skin and muscles. For example, your belly and back are less sensitive. Certain points like your hands and feet might be more sensitive.
If you feel pain, tell your acupuncturist. They’ll adjust the needles or choose other points. Their goal is not to make you feel pain. They will position you properly and make sure you feel comfortable so that you can relax during your session.
No. Receiving massage therapy or manual lymphatic drainage while battling a cold or influenza is never a good idea. Not only can you easily spread illness to your practitioner (who is seeing several other clients per day), but you can also exasperate your symptoms by receiving massage.
Also, if you are currently taking antibiotics for an infection, you will be required to reschedule your appointment until a time at which you are no longer taking the medication.
Please note that although the clinic has a strict cancellation policy, we will never charge you for not coming in due to illness.
If you do come in while ill, your therapist may choose to reschedule your session. Know that this is for your well-being and the health of our therapists and other patients.
Yes, all practitioners at Madison Lymphatics and Bodywork are fully certified in their professions and are licensed by the State of Wisconsin.
While it is not an obligation to give your practitioner a gratuity, it is always appreciated. Gratuities can be given at the time of payment or, if you care to be more discrete, can be left in the treatment room for your practitioner after the session.
If you looking for an different way to show appreciation for your practitioner, leaving a positive review online or referring a friend to our clinic is a great alternative to tipping.
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