Gentle drainage for a body that feels heavy.
What is Manual Lymphatic Drainage?
Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) is a slow, rhythmic, technique. Your lymphatic system is the body's drainage network: it carries extra fluid (edema) and waste away from your tissues. It has no pump of its own, so it relies on movement, breathing, and gentle pressure. MLD gives it that nudge.
Ellie is trained in the Vodder technique, the original method developed in the 1930s by Dr. Emil Vodder. Certified through the Academy of Lymphatic Studies.
What does a session feel like?
No deep pressure and no oil-slicked massage. Ellie uses soft, rhythmic, stretching strokes that gently move the skin in a set direction, guiding fluid toward your body’s natural drainage points. Every session begins near the neck and collarbone to open these pathways first, so the rest of the work flows more easily. Most people find it deeply calming, and some drift into a restful sleep before the session ends.
From there, your session length shapes your care. In a 90-minute session, Ellie works through your whole body, moving from limb to limb for a complete, head-to-toe reset. In a 60-minute session, she follows the same process but focuses on the areas that need it most, like heavy legs, puffy ankles or tight, achy arms. You can stay dressed if you’d like, though direct skin contact gives the best results, and you’ll be modestly draped the entire time.
What people often notice:
Less swelling (edema): legs, ankles and arms that feel lighter and less puffy
Relief from everyday edema: less heaviness after travel, long days on your feet, or a tough workout
Pregnancy support: helps manage the effects of edema in the feet, ankles and legs during pregnancy
Postpartum support: helps manage the lingering edema that can last for weeks after birth
A clearer head: eases puffiness and congestion in the face, head and neck
Deep relaxation: the slow, rhythmic touch calms your nervous system, and many clients drift off
Comfort and pain relief: less tightness, tenderness and achiness
Better circulation: helps fluid move back toward your heart instead of pooling in your legs
Natural cleanup: gently supports your lymphatic system as it clears extra fluid and everyday waste from your tissues
Pricing & Packages
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Our analysis demonstrates actionable insights, enabling organizations to optimize resources and align initiatives with measurable objectives.
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Our analysis demonstrates actionable insights, enabling organizations to optimize resources and align initiatives with measurable objectives.
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Our analysis demonstrates actionable insights, enabling organizations to optimize resources and align initiatives with measurable objectives.
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Lipedema: comfort-focused support
Lipedema is a chronic condition; fat builds up unevenly, most often in the legs, hips, buttocks, and arms. It can feel heavy, tender and bruise easily. It's common, often missed, and nobody's fault.
MLD doesn't remove lipedema tissue, and it isn't a substitute for care from your doctor or a lipedema specialist. What many people with lipedema look for is relief: legs that feel less heavy, less tender, and more like their own. That's what our sessions aim for. We can work alongside your medical team, and pair MLD with gentle movement, and compression in order to ease your symptoms. If you've been diagnosed with lymphedema, or your swelling is new, sudden, or only in one leg, please see your doctor first.
Pregnancy and postpartum swelling
Swollen feet, ankles and legs are one of the most common discomforts of pregnancy, and swelling can linger for weeks after birth. MLD’s gentle, rhythmic touch helps manage the effects of swelling during pregnancy and postpartum, so your body feels lighter, calmer and more comfortable during a season of big changes. Sessions are adjusted for your comfort, with careful positioning and extra pillows.
When MLD isn't right
Please check with your doctor before booking if you have an active infection, a blood clot or history of one, heart or kidney failure, recent stroke/recurrent TIAs, or uncontrolled high blood pressure. MLD at Be Well is a wellness service and not medical treatment for lymphedema.
Pregnant or recently gave birth? Please get your OB or midwife’s OK before booking. MLD isn’t right if you have high blood pressure, preeclampsia, or swelling that’s sudden, severe or only in one leg. Call your provider right away if you notice these.