Elaine Grehan – Lymph Drainage Therapist
Elaine Grehan completed a certificate of Manual Lymph Drainage and Combined Decongestive Therapy with the Dr. Vodder School, Austria in July 2007. She fulfils the requirement to complete a review every two years to remain on the list of qualified therapists listed with MLD Ireland. Elaine has treated patients with Lymphoedema both privately and in Cancer Care Centres since 2008.
Manual Lymph Drainage aims to redirect fluid from swollen areas to healthy lymphatic vessels, transporting it back to the normal circulatory system .
With gentle, light but precise hand movements applied to the skin, the therapists exerts different intensities of pressure to increase the activity of normal lymphatic vessels. This encourages the fluid away from congested areas by bypassing ineffective or injured lymph vessels.
The treatment is very gentle and a typical session will involve drainage of the neck, trunk, and the affected extremity (in that order), lasting approximately 40 to 60 minutes. The technique was pioneered by Doctor Emil Vodder in the 1930s for the treatment of chronic sinusitis and other immune disorders.