Welcoming Andreia & Introducing Manual Lymphatic Drainage

We’re really excited to welcome Andreia Ferreira to the Trika team.

Andreia is a Specialist Nurse Practitioner with over 10 years’ experience working within the NHS. Alongside her clinical work, she is also a trained Massage Therapist, offering Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) — a gentle yet powerful therapeutic treatment that we’re proud to be introducing at Trika.

MLD is certainly having a bit of a moment. Scroll through social media and you’ll find countless videos promising instant results through self-lymphatic massage techniques. While some of this content can be helpful, much of it leans towards deeper, more vigorous massage — and that’s often where a few misconceptions begin.

True Manual Lymphatic Drainage isn’t about force, pressure, or “pushing” fluid out of the body. In fact, its power lies in quite the opposite, aiding your lymph system to move the fluid naturally.

We sat down with the wonderful Andi to explore what MLD really is, what makes it so beneficial, and what you can expect from a professional session. And yes — the benefits really are something special.

What is Manual Lymphatic Drainage?

MLD is a gentle, rhythmic flow — a very specific type of massage that should be performed by trained professionals. Its aim is to support the movement of lymphatic fluid towards the body’s main lymph nodes.

The lymphatic vessels sit quite close beneath the skin, which is why this therapy uses very light pressure. After each gentle, rhythmic stretch of the skin, the tissues are given time to settle. This is quite different from traditional massage, where pressure is applied directly to muscle. With lymphatic drainage, we’re guiding fluid towards designated ‘ports’ in the body.

Pressure, direction of flow (often the opposite of traditional massage), and repetition are all important aspects of this therapy — and it’s the subtlety that makes it so effective.

Who might benefit from MLD?

Post-surgical recovery is the most widely recognised use of MLD, and the most researched. But Andi is especially excited about its potential support for people who may not realise it’s an option for them.

In particular:

• those living with chronic pain conditions, such as fibromyalgia or chronic inflammation

• those experiencing ongoing stress, where the nervous system rarely gets a chance to truly settle

• for postpartum recovery

We live in a world where low-level stress can feel constant, and while quick fixes can be tempting, real change often comes from gentle, consistent support. A course of MLD can be a beautiful starting point for wider lifestyle shifts.

This is the aspect of Andi’s practice she’s most excited about. While research continues to grow, it’s the lived experiences and stories from clients that feel especially inspiring.

When someone hears “lymphatic drainage”, what do they usually expect?

 

Lymphatic drainage really is having its moment — and for good reason. For those living with lymphoedema, it can significantly improve quality of life. But the benefits may be much more wide-reaching than many realise!

MLD, particularly when applied to the neck and abdomen, has been shown to reduce brain arousal. This can help people experiencing stress shift into a calmer, more restful psychological state.

That said, it’s hard to ignore how quickly this therapy has been picked up on social media — not always in the most accurate way. Recently, Andi came across a video promising viewers the tools to perfect their own facial MLD at home for a sculpted look.

So let’s gently unpick expectation versus reality.

Firstly, MLD isn’t sculpting in the sense you imagine. True MLD is incredibly gentle — there’s no lifting involved. Would an at-home massage in a physically healthy individual ‘drain’ enough fluid from the face to create a sculpted appearance? It’s very unlikely. MLD is gentle and over time – it will never be an overnight 'fix'.

What matters most is understanding what each technique is doing — and managing expectations with kindness and clarity.

Pressure can and should be applied at the lymph nodes to activate drainage, often using a gentle ‘pumping’ motion with the fingers. But the vessels themselves benefit from very light, delicate pressure.

What is an MLD massage like?

If someone comes for MLD, it’s important to understand why — so therapist and client can work together towards the same goal.

For example, if you’ve been feeling run down and can’t quite shake it, Andi may begin with breathwork alongside deep abdominal ‘pumps’ to stimulate lymph flow. This reduces pressure in the chest, increases pressure in the abdomen, and supports the body’s main lymphatic flow — all while encouraging deeper relaxation.

From there, she may focus on lymphatic drainage of the head and neck, moving down towards the axilla (armpit area). She’ll assess whether you’d benefit from more peripheral drainage of the arms or legs, before often finishing with deeper massage to support relaxation.

Every treatment starts with a conversation. You’ll always begin lying on your back, with breathwork and abdominal work — a key foundation for all MLD treatments. From there, the session is shaped around your needs.

Wedding band feeling tight post-partum? We’ll focus on the upper limbs.
Fed up of sock marks lingering after a long day on your feet? Let’s work with the lower limbs.
Feeling like your immune system could use a helping hand? Upper body support may be just the thing.

Direction matters too

We’ve talked about pressure, but direction of flow is just as important.

MLD always starts on the left side of the body, where the larger lymphatic nodes sit. If someone has had surgery that affects certain nodes, fluid is guided towards the nearest working nodes on the opposite side of the body.

Therapists work with imaginary lines across the body called lymphatic watersheds, which help guide fluid to the most appropriate nodes.

Often, the direction of movement is the reverse of traditional massage. For example, when working on the arm, Andi will begin by gently pumping the lymph nodes in the axilla, and gently start there, always working toward the armpit whilst slowly moving down to the hand.  

She likes to think of it like loading a ferry: the space at the port has to be created first, then the cars roll on slowly, one by one, all the way to the back of the queue.

Aftercare and integration

Sessions finish with simple aftercare advice. The lymphatic system doesn’t have a pump of its own — it moves around four litres of fluid every day, relying heavily on muscle contraction.

Gentle movement such as walking or yoga helps maximize the benefits of treatment. Nothing fancy — just consistent, kind movement.

 

What can I expect afterwards?

After a session, you may notice:

• a deep sense of relaxation
  

• feeling lighter or less puffy

• increased thirst and more trips to the bathroom
  

• mild wave of tiredness
  

• or a wave of emotion
  
  

All of this is completely normal. Hydration is key — and electrolyte drinks can be especially supportive.

 

How does MLD complement yoga, breathwork and rest?

They really are the perfect partners.

Breathwork is woven into MLD sessions because it plays such a vital role in supporting movement within the body. Yoga, breathwork and rest-based therapies all enhance the effects of MLD — and MLD enhances them in return.

At their core, all of these practices share the same intention: helping regulate the nervous system, gently guiding us from fight-or-flight into rest-and-digest.

Andi’s focus is always on long-term wellbeing, supported by mindful movement, moments of stillness, and coming back for ongoing care when needed.

 

What Andi loves most about offering MLD

“As a nurse, I’ve spent much of my career trying to create a small clinical space where people feel supported to live well with whatever they’re facing. Many of my patients live with chronic pain — I can’t change that, but I can help them find ways to live well alongside it.

So much of modern medicine is about fixing and moving on. But people aren’t things to be repaired. MLD feels aligned with how I believe care should feel — compassionate, supportive, and focused on helping people live well.”

 

♥️ We have an offer from 18th Jan 2026 till mid Feb 2026, of £60 instead of £75 for a 60 min MLD massage! ♥️

BOOK HERE: https://trikayoga.co.uk/pages/massages