Frequently Asked Questions

Sessions are available by appointment only, and a credit card is required to hold your spot. You can book online or by calling, texting, or emailing me if you have questions. If you like booking online, you can reserve multiple sessions up to 60 days in advance. Do itttttttt! It feels really good to have those spots secured.

Full payment is due at the time of service. I accept cash, checks, and credit cards, including Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express. HSA and FSA cards are also accepted.

I do not take insurance. I do provide emailed receipts at every visit and can send superbills at your request.

Yes, please. Post-op care tends to be most helpful when it is planned out in advance. Highly recommend planning ahead and booking your post-op lymphatic drainage appointments in advance. Post-op MLD is time sensitive and requires anywhere from 10–12 appointments and you don’t need any additional stress scrambling for aftercare.

Yes, there’s also an online waitlist for your convenience. At times my schedule can get pretty darn busy, but it is always changing! If you prefer to book online, check back often to see what’s available or jump on the waitlist.

24-Hour Rule: Because I hold a focused, dedicated space for every person on my schedule, I ask for 24 hours notice that is required to cancel or reschedule an appointment.

Failure to cancel appointments at least 24 hours in advance or failure to show up for your appointment will result in a charge of 100% of the scheduled session’s fee which will be processed with the credit card on file.

I will always do my best to make the most of the time we still have, but your session will still need to end at the originally scheduled time.

Totally okay. If you are not sure which session fits best, reach out and I can help point you in the right direction based on what is going on in your body and what kind of support you are looking for.

Sometimes, yes. I may ask for provider approval if you are within 72 hours after surgery post-op, in your first trimester, high-risk or being closely monitored during pregnancy, in active cancer treatment, or dealing with a new infection, a suspected blood clot, or a more complex medical situation. If I think clearance is needed, I will let you know.

Maybe. MLD can be a great fit for people dealing with swelling, fluid retention, heaviness, post-op recovery, or simply that puffy, stuck feeling in the body. It is very gentle and works best when the session is matched to your health history and what is going on in your body.

Still not sure if MLD is right for you? Any questions you may have, please contact at nat@ebbandflowmassagestudio.com.

If you have a fever, an active infection, a current or suspected blood clot, or new unexplained swelling, I want you to pause and check in with your doctor first. If you have a more complex medical picture, I may ask for provider approval before booking.

Contraindications of MLD:

• Acute Inflammation— Typically caused by bacteria or viruses. Example: streptococcus or staphylococcus causing cellulitis or erysipelas. Tissue that is red, hot, painful, congested, and accompanied by a fever is not suitable to receive this treatment during this time.
• Congestive Heart Failure (CHF)— If you are unmedicated or if edema is due solely to cardiac failure/cardiac edema you are unable to receive MLD.
• Renal Failure— This is relative to the severity of your disease. I see clients with compromised kidney function with written physician approval. MLD is a powerful diuretic and will tax renal function temporarily. Your kidneys must be strong enough to receive treatment safely.
• Acute Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)— This is only during the acute phase. MLD is beneficial for post-thrombotic syndrome edema management.

Think of your lymphatic system as the body’s cleanup crew. It pulls out the things that don’t belong in your tissues, which can sometimes cause a temporary reboot period. While many people leave feeling light, floaty, and energized, some experience that MLD aids in the detoxification process.

This is just a short-term (1–2 day) body’s response. As your body clears out the “stagnant fluid,” you might feel some flu-like symptoms—headaches, nausea, fatigue, or a little achiness. It’s a sign that your body is doing the hard work of cleaning and repairing itself!

My favorite analogy: Just like your phone powers down during a software update, your body needs a little downtime to install the “new version” of you.

The Bottom Line: These changes vary from person to person, but they are normal and temporary. Usually after the first few sessions, people no longer experience these side effects due to their system being cleaner/healthier! Drink plenty of water, give yourself some grace, and get ready to feel amazing on the other side.

Hydrate, keep the day fairly low-key if you can, and add in some easy movement like walking or stretching. Nothing dramatic. Think support, not boot camp.

1. Limit caffeine and alcohol the day of your appointment to minimize mood swings and give your liver a break.
2. Hydrate (with electrolytes) prior to your appointment and keep up the h2o intake afterwards.
3. Prioritize sleep. It’s where all the magic happens.
4. Incorporate gentle movement before and after your session. Yoga, walking, Qigong, light rebounding, or breath work can help stimulate your lymphatic flow and keep things moving nicely.
5. Epsom salt baths are great for aches and pains!
6. Run your errands first. Symptoms can set in within hours after your appointment and you don’t want to be at Trader Joe’s tired, thirsty, and needing the bathroom to pee. Trust me on this one...

A lot of people seek MLD when they are dealing with puffiness, swelling, a heavy feeling in the limbs, post-op fluid buildup, or that general sense that their body feels congested or sluggish. It is not a diagnostic tool, but it can be a supportive part of care in the right situation.

• Persistent Swelling (Edema): Swelling in the legs, ankles, hands (Is your ring a little tight?), or puffy face can signal a blockage in the lymphatic flow.
• Chronic Fatigue:Feeling like you are dragging through the day, constantly tired, even after a full night’s sleep, can indicate that toxins are piling up in your system and leave you feeling sluggish.
• Frequent Infections or Illnesses: A weak immune system caused by poor lymphatic circulation may leave you more vulnerable to colds and other infections.
• Skin Problems:Acne, rashes, or unexplained puffiness may result from imbalanced buildup and can be your skin’s way of saying it’s overwhelmed by what is happening underneath.
• Unexplained Weight Gain: Fluid retention and toxin accumulation can make it difficult to lose weight, even with a healthy lifestyle.
• Morning Stiffness or Muscle Pain: Waking up with sore joints or stiff muscles (like a rusty tin man) might point to poor lymphatic drainage flow.
• Digestive Issues:If your digestion feels slow or you’re dealing with that “end of the day bloat”, your lymphatic system might need a nudge. Bloating, constipation, or sluggish digestion are common signs of a stagnant lymphatic system.
• Cold Hands and Feet or Heavy Limbs: Poor circulation often results in a feeling of heaviness in your arms or legs. Do your arms or legs ever feel like you are wearing heavy weights? That heavy or tight feeling is often just excess fluid looking for an exit.
• Swollen Lymph Nodes:Tenderness or noticeable swelling in the neck, armpits, or groin can indicate your lymph nodes are struggling to filter waste effectively. Your immune system might just need a clearer path to get where they’re going.

Here’s the deal: It’s not about how deep one goes, but how you go deep. I’m a big believer that you don’t have to be “bulldozed” to get incredible results. In fact, my bodywork is rarely painful because I work with your nervous system instead of picking a fight with it.

If you’re looking for that “no pain, no gain” soreness that leaves you limping the next day, I’m probably not your match. But if you want to find out how much your body can actually release when it feels focused and supported? That’s where the magic happens. It’s effective, it’s science-backed, and yeah—it’s legit!

Yes, I offer pediatric lymphatic support. A parent or guardian needs to be present for the full session, sign a minor consent form, and stay in the room the entire time. For little ones under the age of 5, I’ve found that nap time is actually a great time for lymphatic work! Comfort is everything, feel free to bring a favorite blanket, stuffed animal, or book to help them settle in.

Absolutely. It can be a really nice way to support your body before surgery. I think of pre-op MLD like clearing traffic before roadwork starts. The goal is not to “fix” anything ahead of time, but to help your system feel a little less congested and a little more supported going into recovery.

That depends on your procedure and your surgeon’s guidance. Some people are cleared pretty early, 72 hours to a week out from surgery, while others need more time. I always want the green light from your surgical team, and then I work within what your body is ready for.

Not at all. Unlike traditional deep tissue massage, MLD uses an extremely light, rhythmic touch. Since your tissues are sensitive and inflamed from surgery, I work gently to map and move fluid without causing any pain or stress to your incisions.

Every body heals differently, but for surgical recovery, a series is most effective.

• Acute Phase:2–3 sessions per week for the first 2 weeks.
• Maintenance Phase: 1 session per week until swelling fully subsides.

Some people want a short series close together in the early recovery window, and others taper out over time. If you are booking for surgery aftercare, I usually recommend planning ahead so your sessions are already in place and you are not scrambling later.

I work around drains and healing incisions, not aggressively on top of them. Once you are further along in healing and your provider has cleared you, I may also incorporate scar tissue work, usually around the 6 to 8 week mark depending on the procedure and your surgeon’s guidance.

Please note: I do not push fluid out of incisions.

• Hydrate: Drink plenty of water before and after your appointment.
• Wear Compression: If your surgeon has prescribed a compression garment (faja), bring it with you or wear it in. I can help you back into it after the session.
• Clearance:Ensure you have the “green light” from your surgical team to begin manual lymphatic drainage therapy.

Lymphatic drainage can be a really supportive part of care for both lymphedema and lipedema. The work is gentle, light, and very intentional. I am not trying to wrestle your body into submission here.

For many people, it can help reduce swelling, ease that heavy or tight feeling, soften areas that feel stuck or dense, and make movement feel a little easier. Some clients also notice less tenderness and more comfort in their day-to-day life.

The goal is not perfection. The goal is usually more comfort, more ease, and a body that feels a little less like it is fighting you.

This is one of the biggest questions I get, so here’s the simple version:

Lymphedema is mostly a fluid issue. It happens when lymph is not moving well, so fluid starts to build up in the tissues.

Lipedema is mostly a fat and connective tissue issue. It usually shows up as painful, stubborn fat buildup, most often in the legs and sometimes the arms, often on both sides of the body.

They can look similar at first, but they are not the same thing. And yes, just to make things more fun and challenging, some people can have both.

I do not diagnose lymphedema or lipedema, but I do provide supportive bodywork for people living with these conditions.

People with lymphedema often describe it as:

• swelling, usually in one arm or one leg
• heaviness or tightness
• skin that feels smooth, thick, or full
• tenderness or discomfort
• sometimes pitting, where pressing into the tissue leaves an indent

It can happen after surgery, injury, infection, radiation, or sometimes from birth. Can be present in men and women.

Lipedema often has a different vibe. People usually describe it as:

• painful or tender tissue
• swelling or fullness in both legs, both arms, or both
• tissue that feels lumpy, nodular, or bumpy to the touch
• fat that does not seem to respond to diet or exercise
• a feeling of heaviness, soreness, or “why do my legs feel like they are carrying weighted baggage?”

Lipedema is most common in women and often shows up around hormonal shifts like puberty, pregnancy, or menopause. It can also run in families.

I do not diagnose, but I can tell you the general pattern. Lymphedema is more often fluid, and it can affect the full hand and fingers or the feet and toes. Lipedema is more often about painful fat and tissue changes, and it usually stops at the wrists or ankles instead of going into the hands or feet.

If you are not sure which one you are dealing with, or whether you may have both, that is a good conversation to have with a qualified medical provider.

It can often be helpful, yes. When tissue starts to feel dense, firm, or stuck, lymphatic work may help soften things over time and improve comfort and mobility. I work gradually and pay attention to how your body responds.

Yes, but I like to keep the explanation simple.

Both lymphedema and lipedema can progress over time, which is why early support can be helpful. In earlier stages, people may notice more swelling, tenderness, or heaviness. In later stages, tissue may feel firmer, denser, or more limiting.

My job is to meet your body where it is now, not where some chart says it “should” be.

It often can. When swelling, heaviness, or tissue tenderness go down, movement can feel less uncomfortable and less exhausting.

I am not promising cartwheels, but I am very much here for helping your body feel more mobile.

No. I would never frame it that way.

Lymphatic drainage is supportive care. For many people, it can be an important part of managing symptoms, improving comfort, and helping them feel better in their body. But it is not a magic wand, and I am not here to sell you one.

There is a lot you can do outside the treatment room that can help support your body. A few of the big ones:

• stay hydrated
• keep up with gentle movement like walking, walking in water or swimming, or yoga
• wear compression garments if they have been prescribed for you
• take good care of your skin
• focus on habits that help your body feel less inflamed and less overwhelmed

Think steady and supportive, not extreme and punishing.

They can, especially for lymphedema and for some people with lipedema. If compression has been prescribed for you, it can be a really helpful part of your care plan for managing swelling and staying more comfortable.

Sexy answer? No. Useful answer? Yes.

Usually the gentle, consistent kind. Walking, walking in water or swimming, stretching, yoga, and other low-impact movements are often a better fit than going from zero to bootcamp energy overnight.

Your lymphatic system generally likes rhythm and consistency more than chaos.

Absolutely! Lymphatic drainage for fertility is a complement to both natural and assisted fertility. Lymphatic drainage for fertility, IVF, and egg retrieval helps the body reduce inflammation. I do not promise outcomes, but it can be a gentle way to support comfort, relaxation, and a better sense of connection to your body.

Think of it as preparing the soil before planting a garden.

That really depends on what is going on for you and where you are in the process. Some people come in before starting treatment, some during certain parts of the process, and some simply want supportive care during a high-stress season. If you are unsure about timing, feel free to reach out and I can help you think through what makes the most sense.

Yes. You may benefit from lymphatic drainage for pregnancy in all trimesters, unless you are high risk or being closely monitored and then your doctor may not recommend it. I do require your doctor’s approval during the first trimester to make sure that I am on the same page for your safety.

This treatment is very light and safe at any time. Light, rhythmic pressure is used to improve the flow of the lymphatic system. Many moms-to-be describe it as a “nervous system nap.”

Depending on how many symptoms you are experiencing you may choose to receive treatments weekly to monthly. Some clients love a weekly flush to keep the swelling down while others find a monthly reset is plenty. Listen to your body, usually as your pregnancy progresses you may feel a bit tighter and might find relief from receiving more regular sessions. Go with what feels supportive and realistic.

Postpartum sessions are tailored to where you are with swelling and healing. If you are dealing with breast swelling, engorgement, or a clogged duct, gentle lymphatic work may help reduce some of that pressure and fullness, which can sometimes make feeding or latching feel easier for your baby.

If you are further out from birth and have provider approval, I may also incorporate scar tissue work, especially after a C-section, to help with that tight, restricted, or numb feeling around a healed scar.

It is massage that is carefully adapted to what your body has been through. I think of it like custom-tailored care. The pressure, pace, positioning, and areas I work with are all chosen with your comfort, symptoms, and medical history in mind.

Not in any way. Come exactly as you are. If you are tired, tender, overwhelmed, or just not feeling like your usual self, that is okay. If you need to stay in your comfy clothes, I can work around this. If you need to nap during the session, please do!

That is exactly why oncology massage is adapted so carefully. I work with those considerations in mind and adjust the session to support comfort and safety.

Yes, when needed. I am always happy to work within your care plan and to have you get provider approval if your situation calls for it.

Supportive care. The goal is not to “fix” your body. It is to help you feel more comfortable, more grounded, and more cared for while your body is already doing a lot.

Think of it like a deep sigh for your nervous system. You stay fully clothed on the table, and I use a very gentle touch to listen to areas of tension and help your system settle. It is subtle work, but that does not mean it is small.

A typical visit is 60 minutes of quiet, focused time just for you. Whether you feel a big shift or just a quiet reset, your body is doing the work of coming back into balance.

Yes. I use a very gentle touch to evaluate tension patterns or imbalances in your body. It’s not about force; it’s about listening to what your tissues need.

That part varies. Some people feel deeply relaxed. Some feel warmth, unwinding, heaviness, spaciousness, or just a sense that their body is finally not working so hard. Some people simply enjoy an hour of quiet and leave feeling more grounded.

People often book it when they feel stressed, overstimulated, wired, tense, or emotionally overloaded. I think of it as a good fit for the person whose body never quite seems to come fully off duty.