Manual Lymphatic Drainage in Toronto
Gentle, light-touch lymphatic drainage in Toronto for post-surgical recovery, pregnancy, lymphedema, and everyday swelling.
Book with Thaís R. Álvs or Cassandra Hope at Longév Clinic on King St E in downtown Toronto. Lymphatic sessions start at $189 + HST.
What is manual lymphatic drainage and how does it work?
Manual lymphatic drainage (MLD), sometimes called lymphatic massage, uses light, rhythmic strokes to move lymph fluid through the vessels just under your skin toward your lymph nodes.
Your lymphatic system has no pump of its own, so when fluid accumulates in one part of the body, it tends to stay there. Better lymph flow can reduce swelling and inflammation and restore your fluid balance.
Our Process
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Before you come in.
Before your first treatment, we'll ask about your health. MLD is contraindicated with some medical conditions, including active infection, unmanaged heart or kidney problems, and early pregnancy. Surgical and oncology patients need medical clearance before treatment, so we may ask for a short pre-screening.
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During your session.
We start every treatment by settling your nervous system, because lymph flow improves when your body relaxes. Then we work in a set order with light, gentle strokes, clearing the neck and torso first and moving out to the rest of your body. The pressure is much lighter than in massage therapy for muscles and shouldn't cause pain, and you'll be draped the whole time. The room is calm and quiet. You might even fall asleep during a lymphatic massage.
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After your session.
You may feel light and calm. It's common to be thirsty, need to use the bathroom more, or feel a little tired for the rest of the day. Drink plenty of water and rest if you need to. Clients usually feel a shift after their first session, and a lightness that builds with regular care.
How does lymphatic drainage help?
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MLD is often recommended to reduce swelling after an operation. It also helps prevent fibrosis, the hard, lumpy tissue that can form after procedures like liposuction and change how your results look. In Brazil, lymphatic drainage is one of the most common parts of recovery after cosmetic body surgery.
For post-surgical recovery, sessions usually start within 1 to 2 weeks of surgery, once your surgeon has cleared you and your drains are out. We can coordinate with plastic surgeons and other surgical teams to support your recovery with gentle sessions once or twice a week.
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For lymphedema, MLD is one part of complete decongestive therapy, along with compression and exercise. For patients recovering from cancer treatment or lymph node removal (with approval from their physician or oncologist), MLD treatments aim to reduce swelling and support circulation.
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Pregnancy makes your body carry more fluid, and it's very common to retain that fluid in your legs and feet. Gentle MLD can reduce swelling and support better sleep. After childbirth, postpartum lymphatic drainage can also help reduce fluid retention as your body clears what it held onto during pregnancy. After a vaginal delivery, sessions often start around six weeks, once your provider has cleared you.
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A face and neck treatment can help with temporary facial puffiness, sinus congestion, and tension headaches. Manual lymphatic drainage can also improve circulation in the skin.
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Your lymph nodes are part of your immune system, so naturally MLD supports immune function. Better lymph flow also eases chronic swelling, puffiness, fatigue, and fluid accumulation around your ankles. People benefit from MLD for overall wellness too, and some clients book it as a part of their regular wellness routine.
What Clients Say
Treatments and prices
Prices are per session and include the health check at the start of every manual lymphatic drainage treatment.
| Treatment | Best for | Length and price | With |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full Body Lymphatic Drainage | Fluid accumulation, puffiness, immune function and sleep | 60 min, $215 | Thaís or Cassandra |
| Full Body + Face and Neck | Head-to-toe drainage plus facial puffiness and sinus congestion | 75 min, $249 90 min, $298 |
Thaís (90) or Cassandra (75) |
| Face and Neck | Facial puffiness, sinus issues, tension headaches, and circulation in the skin | 45 min, $189 | Cassandra |
| Post-Operative Lymphatic Drainage | Swelling and fibrosis after liposuction, a tummy tuck or breast surgery | 60 min, $215 75 min, $249 |
Thaís |
| Lymphedema and Cancer Surgery Recovery | Lymphedema and swelling after lymph node removal or radiation, with medical approval | 60 min, $215 | Thaís |
| Pregnancy Lymphatic Care | Swelling and fluid retention, from 12 weeks with your provider's approval | 60 min, $215 | Thaís |
| Fertility Care | Support for natural conception or IUI and IVF | 75 min, $249 | Thaís |
| Brain Health (Glymphatic) Drainage | Brain fog, poor sleep and fatigue | 60 min, $189 | Thaís |
| Functional Lymphatic Drainage Program | Chronic conditions like resistant weight loss or chronic pain, over 8 to 12 weeks | 90 min, $300 | Thaís |
| Lymphatic + Fascial Stretch | Chronic pain, injuries and tightness | 90 min, $300 | Cassandra |
| Colon Hydrotherapy + Lymphatic Drainage | Digestive symptoms and full body drainage | 60 min, $225 | Cassandra |
All prices are plus HST. Any lymphatic treatment can include a free infrared sauna. Packages are available for all our services. Cassandra also offers fascial therapy and colon hydrotherapy as separate services, listed on her bio page.
Common Questions
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Yes. Manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) is an established part of care for lymphedema and swelling after surgery, and it can support your body's recovery after many procedures. Clients also find it beneficial for fluid retention, sleep, and stress, and the benefit builds with regular care. At your first visit, we'll look at what your body needs and how we'll treat it.
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Manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) uses gentle pressure and slow circular motions on the skin to move fluid, ease inflammation, and support the lymphatic system. Brazilian lymphatic drainage massage, popularized by Renata França, uses firmer techniques and more defined rhythmic strokes. Brazilian lymphatic drainage is known for reducing fluid retention quickly and for visible contouring. Thaís trained in Brazilian lymphatic drainage before learning the Vodder method, so her treatment draws on both techniques. Her Brazilian lymphatic drainage training also shapes her full-body and face-and-neck treatment, which includes natural facial sculpting. If you want a Brazilian lymphatic drainage massage, mention it when you book.
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MLD helps rid your body of excess fluid, along with the proteins, cellular waste, and toxins your body no longer needs. MLD moves lymph toward your lymph nodes, where white blood cells from your immune system filter it, and your kidneys clear the extra fluid. That's the detoxification people talk about: your body's own detoxification, helped by better lymphatic flow.
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You can find lymphatic drainage from massage therapists, estheticians, and nurses at many Toronto clinics, from spas and wellness clinics to massage clinics, physiotherapy clinics, and medical clinics. Some clinics offer only Brazilian lymphatic drainage, others offer a combination of Brazilian and medical MLD, and so on.
However, we'd like to humbly suggest that you can find the best lymphatic drainage massage in Toronto at the Longév Clinic on King St E, with Thaís R. Álvs or Cassandra Hope. Lymphatic work is the core of our practice, and we even teach MLD to massage therapists and other health professionals through the Toronto Lymphatic Academy.
About us
We're Thaís R. Álvs and Cassandra Hope, the founders of Toronto Lymphatic Academy, and we both treat clients in Toronto at Longév Clinic. Each of us is a certified lymphatic therapist, and we teach these techniques to massage therapists, nurses, naturopathic doctors, and other health professionals through the Academy.
Book lymphatic drainage with us at the Longév Clinic
Book any of our services online through either Cassandra's or Thaís' page, or call Longév at 416-594-9994. The clinic is at 493 King St E, Toronto. Please give 24 hours' notice if you need to cancel.
Not sure which treatment or practitioner is right for you? Send us a note, and we'll help you choose.