MLD and Calming Effects on the Nervous System

Kim, S.-J., Kwon, O.-Y., & Yi, C.-H. (2009). Effects of manual lymph drainage on cardiac autonomic tone in healthy subjects. International Journal of Neuroscience, 119(8), 1105–1117. https://doi.org/10.1080/00207450902834884

Shim, J.-M., & Kim, S.-J. (2014). Manual lymph drainage attenuates frontal EEG asymmetry in subjects with psychological stress: A preliminary study. Journal of Physical Therapy Science, 26(4), 529–531. https://doi.org/10.1589/jpts.26.529

Shim, J.-M., Yeun, Y.-R., Kim, H.-Y., & Kim, S.-J. (2017). Effects of manual lymph drainage for abdomen on the brain activity of subjects with psychological stress. Journal of Physical Therapy Science, 29(3), 491–494. https://doi.org/10.1589/jpts.29.491

MLD and Reducing Pain and Edema including Orthopedic Injuries

Keser, I., & Esmer, M. (2019). Does manual lymphatic drainage have any effect on pain threshold and tolerance of different body parts? Lymphatic Research and Biology, 17(6), 651–654. https://doi.org/10.1089/lrb.2019.0005

Majewski-Schrage, T., & Snyder, K. (2016). The effectiveness of manual lymphatic drainage in patients with orthopedic injuries. Journal of Sport Rehabilitation, 25(1), 91–97. https://doi.org/10.1123/jsr.2014-0222

Safaz, İ., Tok, F., Taşkaynatan, M. A., & Ozgul, A. (2009). Manual lymphatic drainage in management of edema in a case with CRPS: Why the(y) wait? Rheumatology International, 31(3), 387–390. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00296-009-1187-x

Gutiérrez-Espinoza, H., Araya-Quintanilla, F., Olguín-Huerta, C., Valenzuela-Fuenzalida, J., Gutiérrez-Monclus, R., & Moncada-Ramírez, V. (2021). Effectiveness of manual therapy in patients with DISTAL RADIUS fracture: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Manual & Manipulative Therapy, 30(1), 33–45. https://doi.org/10.1080/10669817.2021.1992090

MLD in Treatment for Lymphedema, CVI and Venous Ulcers

Wakefield, M., Douglass, J., Lacey, D., Piller, N., & Blanchfield, L. (2025). ICG lymphography confirms the presence of an alternative lymph drainage pathway following long-term manual therapy: A case for preserving traditional MLD approaches. Reports, 8(2), 63. https://doi.org/10.3390/reports8020063

Kasseroller, R. G., & Brenner, E. (2023). Effectiveness of manual lymphatic drainage in intensive phase I therapy of breast cancer–related lymphedema—a retrospective analysis. Supportive Care in Cancer, 32(1). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-023-08210-7

Szolnoky, G., Tuczai, M., Macdonald, J. M., Dósa-Rácz, Barsony, K., Balogh, M., Szabad, G., Dobozy, A., & Kemény, L. (2018). Adjunctive role of manual lymph drainage in the healing of venous ulcers: a comparative pilot study. Journal of Lymphology, 51(4), 148–159. PMID: 31119905

MLD and Reducing Intracranial Pressure in Patients with Severe Cerebral Disease

Roth, C., Stitz, H., Roth, C., Ferbert, A., Deinsberger, W., Pahl, R., Engel, H., & Kleffmann, J. (2016). Craniocervical manual lymphatic drainage and its impact on intracranial pressure – a pilot study. European Journal of Neurology, 23(9), 1441–1446. https://doi.org/10.1111/ene.13055

MLD and Long Covid

Overall, B., Langley, K., & Douglass, J. (2023). Manual lymph drainage for post-covid-19 related cough, breathlessness, and fatigue; two case reports. Healthcare, 11(23), 3085. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11233085

Effects of MLD on Multiple Systems in the Body

Schingale F-J, Esmer M, Küpeli B, Ünal D. Investigation of the Less Known Effects of Manual Lymphatic Drainage: A Narrative Review. Lymphatic Research and Biology. 2022;20(1):7-10. doi:10.1089/lrb.2019.0091