Manual Lymphatic Drainage in short
Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) is a specialised, gentle therapy that uses slow, light, rhythmic movements to support the lymphatic system, your body's circulatory network for immunity, fluid balance, and detoxification. Sessions are 60 minutes (MLD only) or 90 minutes (MLD with relaxing massage). With Simona, at both our Hackney and Islington studios in London.
Simona
Who delivers it?
Simona Ilincariu: Founder and Lead Therapist. MLD is one of Simona's core specialisations. She trained as an MLD practitioner and has been working with clients on fluid retention, inflammation, postpar-tum recovery, hormonal bloating, and chronic conditions for over a decade
What MLD helps with
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Fluid retention and puffiness: legs, abdomen, face, hands
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Hormonal bloating: cyclical, perimenopause, pregnancy-related (post-clearance)
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Chronic inflammation
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MCAS (mast cell activation syndrome) and histamine-related symptoms·
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Seasonal allergies and skin sensitivity (eczema flare-ups)·
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Postpartum recovery (from 6 weeks postpartum, with GP clearance
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Recovery after surgery, minimum 6 weeks post-op, with consultant clearance
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Heavy, tired legs and sluggish circulation
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Stress recovery and nervous-system dysregulation
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Chronic fatigue and that "foggy / heavy" feeling·
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Immune support, frequent colds, slow recovery from illness
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Chronic pain conditions where inflammation is part of the picture·General wellbeing during seasonal change or after periods of overwhelm
Please note: At present, we offer classic Manual Lymphatic Drainage and do not currently provide post-operative MLD (you can book with us 6 weeks after a surgery at this stage)
What a Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MDL) involves
A session begins with a conversation about your symptoms, your cycle, your stress load, and any medical context. MLD is precise, Simona will plan the session around what your body needs that day.
You undress to your level of comfort and lie on the table. Simona uses slow, rhythmic, very light strokes that follow the lymphatic pathways, not the muscle. The pressure is much lighter than a massage, pushing harder would actually compress the lymph capillaries and stop the flow. The slowness and the lightness ARE the technique.
Most people describe it as deeply calming, and many are surprised by how much something this gentle can shift. Some people fall asleep. Some experience a quiet emotional release. Both are normal.
60 minutes vs 90 minutes , which one to book
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60 minutes, MLD only. Focused work on lymphatic pathways. Right if you've come specifically for fluid retention, inflammation, or post-surgical recovery and you want a full hour of dedicated lymph work.
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90 minutes, MLD plus relaxing massage. The 60-minute MLD session, followed by 30 minutes ofgentle Swedish-style massage to integrate. Right if you want the lymph work and a deeper senseof bodywide rest. Many of our regular MLD clients prefer this version
Wellbeing that gives back
When you book with us, you’re giving back. Every booking directly funds therapy for people facing economic barriers, including refugee women and those living with chronic pain and PTSD.
What clients say
"Simona and her team at Abuelita's are some of the best there is!! The treatments I've had have been amazing. It's great to know that not only are you investing in yourself at Abuelita's, but you are helping to support the wider community with their initiatives."
Alison
Alison
"I went to Abuelita’s Wellbeing after a stressful time and I had the most amazing massage. I went in feeling stressed, tense and with my head all over the place and walked away joyful, relaxed and myself again. The place, smell and design and kindness I have experienced was amazing"
Beatrice
Important, please read before booking
MLD is gentle, but it's not suitable for everyone. We strongly recommend checking with your GP or consultant before booking if any of the following apply:
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Diabetes (any type)
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Low blood pressure
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Lymphoedema (we offer classic MLD, for clinical lymphoedema management, please see a registered lymphoedema specialist)
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Kidney problems
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Heart failure or significant cardiovascular conditions
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Active cancer or recent cancer treatment, please discuss with your oncologist before booking
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Thyroid problems
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Bronchial asthma (active flare-up)
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Epilepsy
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Spleen removal
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Organ transplant history
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Pregnancy, please book Pregnancy Massage instead; MLD in pregnancy requires specific clinical adjustments we don't currently offer
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Less than 6 weeks post-surgery
Your safety always comes first, and we want to ensure this treatment is fully supportive of your individual circumstances.
If any of these apply, please email us at hello@abuelitas.co.uk before booking. We'll guide you to the right starting point, sometimes that's MLD with adjustments, sometimes it's a different therapy entirely.
Note: we currently offer classic MLD only, not post-operative MLD. If you're post-op (minimum 6 weeks), email us at hello@abuelitas.co.uk before booking so we can confirm we're the right fit.
Begin your wellbeing journey today
Unsure if Manual Lymphatic Drainage is right for you?
We’re always happy to help.
Email us at hello@abuelitas.co.uk or get in touch.
Often combined with
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Holistic Deep Tissue or Restorative Massage: for clients with chronic tension ontop of inflammation·
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Craniosacral Therapy: when the nervous system needs more direct support·
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Nutritional Therapy: for chronic inflammation, gut, hormonal, or histamine work·
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Breathwork & Somatics: for stress-driven inflammation·
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Reformer Pilates: gentle movement supports lymph flow between sessions
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Integrative Care Packages : Support your long-term health with personalised, multi-therapy treatment plans tailored to your needs
Frequently Asked Questions
No, quite the opposite. MLD is one of the gentlest therapies we offer. The pressure is light, the pace is slow, the strokes are rhythmic. Many clients describe it as one of the most relaxing things they've experienced. If you want deep pressure, please book Sports Massage, Deep Tissue or Holistic Deep Tissue instead.
A standard massage works the muscle, fascia, and tension. MLD works the lymphatic system, your body's circulatory network for fluid, immunity, and waste clearance. The technique is completely different: light, slow, rhythmic, following lymph pathways rather than muscle groups. They complement each other beautifully, which is why we offer the 90-minute session that combines both.
Yes, this is one of the most common reasons people book. MLD can reduce water retention, puffiness, and the feeling of heaviness, particularly in the abdomen, legs, hands, and face. The relief is often noticeable after one session and deepens with a short course.
Many of our clients with Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS) and histamine-related symptoms report significant relief from regular MLD, often as part of a wider integrative plan that includes Nutritional Therapy and Craniosacral. MLD specifically supports the body's ability to clear inflammatory and histamine load. We'd recommend starting with a 2-hour Integrative Care Assessment if MCAS is your main reason for booking. Simona will plan the right combination.
It depends on your symptoms and goals. Some people feel significant relief after one session. For chronic inflammation, hormonal patterns, or postpartum recovery, we usually recommend 3–4 sessions across 4–6 weeks as a starting block, then move to maintenance every 4–6 weeks.
Not at all, although that's where many people first hear about it. MLD is invaluable for stress recovery, hormonal bloating, chronic inflammation, fatigue, immune support, and general wellbeing. We currently offer classic MLD only; for clinical post-operative MLD please look for a specialist clinic until you're 6 weeks post-op, then we're happy to support you.
Absolutely, most of our regular MLD clients do. Common pairings include Craniosacral for the nervous system, Nutrition for the inflammation side, and Restorative Massage for general rest. The Integrative Care Packages page lists how this typically works
Most people feel lighter, calmer, and clearer-headed. Some feel a strong urge to drink water (please do, it helps the lymph keep flowing). Some need to use the bathroom more often in the 24 hours after. Some feel sleepy. All normal. Avoid heavy meals, alcohol, and very intense exercise for the rest of the day if you can.
We recommend our Pregnancy Massage, and as part of that session, we can work out the areas where you feel swollen and in need of release. We tailor our treatments to each trimester (but we do not offer treatments in the first trimester) and include gentle lymph-aware techniques where appropriate. After the postpartum 6-week mark and with GP clearance, MLD becomes available.
Where To Find Us
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