09/01/2026
PRE AND POST SURGERY. POST INJURY
Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) at One Eleven Health Hub, Lower Branch, near Bridgewater.
TO WORK TOWARD:
• Less swelling
• Less pressure
• Less pain
• Faster recovery
That tight, heavy, too-full feeling after a sprain, a knock, or surgery is often extra fluid sitting in the tissues. Fluid takes up space. Space raises internal pressure. Pressure on the nerves usually means more pain.
MLD is not a deep-tissue massage. In this instance, with swelling present after injury or surgery, deep-tissue work on the congested area is usually the wrong tool. Extra pressure on already swollen tissue can add inflammation, add pain, and slow early recovery. MLD is a light, rhythmic, skin-deep treatment that helps move some of that fluid out of the congested area. As swelling drops, pressure drops. With less pressure on the nerves, pain often eases.
WHO IS IT FOR?
Pre-surgery, post-surgery, and post-injury, when swelling is present or likely.
On the South Shore that often means an ankle or knee sprain, a shoulder injury, orthopaedic surgery, or general surgery.
If you live with lymphedema, lipedema, or post-cancer swelling, MLD is also a core part of Complete Decongestive Therapy (CDT).
USED AT THE RIGHT TIME, MLD CAN HELP
• reduce post-injury swelling
• reduce post-surgery swelling
• decrease pain by lowering internal pressure on the nerves
• support cleaner tissue healing and help limit excess scar tissue
• make walking, sleeping, and getting back to daily life easier
Less fluid. Less pressure. Less pain. More room to heal.
WHEN TO START
Early treatment is best practice. Pre-surgery MLD, when there is time for it, can prepare the tissues before the operation.
After surgery, always get authorization from your surgeon before treatment. Work can begin as soon as that clearance is given. Same-day treatment is possible for some people. After a general anaesthetic, most people are better the day after. A short series of visits is usually more useful than a single session.
SUGGESTED NUMBER OF VISITS
• Before surgery: a couple of sessions if there is time
• After surgery or injury: 2 to 3 visits a week for the first couple of weeks
• After that: less often, only if swelling, tightness, or discomfort is still there
The suggested number of sessions is discussed and agreed by patient and therapist at the first post-injury or post-surgical appointment. With the patient’s consent, that number can be reduced or increased later, depending on how the area responds.
WHY THE TRAINING MATTERS
Lymphatic work is a specialty. Neil Thorogood is a Registered Massage Therapist at One Eleven Health Hub and a Vodder-trained Manual Lymphatic Drainage and Complete Decongestive Therapy (CDT) therapist (Vodder School International, Levels 1, 2 and 3). That training is specifically for swelling, pre- and post-surgical care, lymphedema, lipedema, and injury recovery.
BOOK
Online booking and direct billing are available for most major insurance companies.
https://oneelevenhealthhub.janeapp.com
A 60-minute treatment can be enough for some more common injuries, for example an ankle sprain. For a more serious injury or post-surgical visit, a 90-minute MLD assessment and treatment is usually the better first booking. It leaves time for a full intake discussion, assessment if needed, and treatment. Unsure which to choose? Call or text and we will help.
Book Manual Lymphatic Drainage with Neil Thorogood, RMT, CDT
One Eleven Health Hub, Lower Branch, minutes from Bridgewater, Exit 12 off Highway 103
https://oneelevenhealthhub.janeapp.com/ /3
Call or text 902 529 1916
mailto:[email protected]
111 Lower Branch Road, Lower Branch, NS B4V 4M4
