We Are a Trauma Informed Edmonton Physiotherapy Practice Near You!Treating Clients in Edmonton for over 25 Years.Getting a Lymphatic Drainage Massage? Boost it with Shockwave Therapy for just $30!We Are a Trauma Informed Edmonton Physiotherapy Practice Near You!Treating Clients in Edmonton for over 25 Years.Getting a Lymphatic Drainage Massage? Boost it with Shockwave Therapy for just $30!
Physiotherapy Edmonton
Inflammatory Conditions Treatment
Inflammatory Conditions Treatment
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Inflammatory Conditions Treatment
Inflammation of the body’s tissue has been found to change the pH level in connective tissue from normal to acidic. This change causes an increase in the permeability of the blood capillaries due to an increase in the size of the vascular pores. The larger pores allow more protein to leave the blood and accumulate in the interstitial space. The increased protein levels cause a higher colloid osmotic pressure in the interstitial space, hence increased fluid filtration from the vascular system and therefore increased edema results.
In addition to its effect on the vascular system, inflammation causes lymph vessels to dilate (get bigger in diameter), limiting the ability of the lymphangion valves to close (as the edges of the valves no longer touch each other). Inflammation can also cause spastic contractions to occur proximal to (up from) the inflamed site. Both situations result in an inability to transport lymph fluid from the region. While this is useful in the case of a toxic, bacterial, or viral inflammation as it limits the spread of the antigen (which is the problem), it is not useful in the case of chronic inflammation.
In the case of chronic inflammation Manual Lymphatic Drainage can assist in reducing the inflammatory agents, thereby decreasing spastic contractions and vascular permeability. This subsequently decreases the protein load in the interstitial space and re-establishes homeostasis (balance) in the region.
With a reduction of edema in the area, healing can accelerate as the time required to move nutrients and wastes to and from the live cells is decreased. This effect is due to the fact that in order for waste or nutrients to cross an interstitial area time equals distance squared (T=d2). For illustrative purposes this means that if it normally takes 4 seconds for a nutrient to cross a 2 cm distance it will take 9 seconds to cross a 3 cm distance. It stands to reason that the less the edema, the less the distance resulting in a significant reduction in time to provide nutrients and remove waste from cells. Obviously, increased waste and less nutrients will create an unhealthy environment and lend itself to increased potential infections and cellular damage.
Absolute & Relative Contra-Indications
Contra-indications are conditions or factors that serve as a reason to withhold a certain medical treatment. Due to the effectiveness of Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) in accelerating lymph flow there are a number of health concerns that do not allow individuals to receive MLD. If you are experiencing any of the following situations please discuss these with a therapist prior to receiving any treatment:
- Untreated Malignant Diseases
- Acute Inflammations
- Recent Thrombosis
- Cardiac Insufficiency
- Renal Failure
Our In Step massage center has certified massage therapists who can provide Inflammatory Conditions Treatment for Inflammation in Edmonton. Book an appointment today
Therapist
Prakash
Registered Massage Therapist
Prakash is certified in Level 3 Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) and provides individualized lymphatic massage to support fluid movement and help manage swelling associated with certain inflammatory conditions.
Becky Mhlanga
Registered Massage Therapist
Becky Mhlanga is certified in Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) and Combined Decongestive Therapy (CDT), offering personalized care focused on supporting circulation, fluid movement, and recovery.
Our Team Is Here To Answer Your Questions And Guide You Through Your Next Steps.
Frequently Asked Questions
It is Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) based treatment that addresses chronic inflammation by reducing excess fluid, protein accumulation, and edema in affected tissues, helping restore homeostasis and accelerate the body’s natural healing process.
Inflammation causes lymph vessels to dilate, preventing their valves from closing properly. It can also trigger spastic contractions above the inflamed site, both of which prevent lymph fluid from draining effectively from the region — leading to increased swelling and slowed healing.
MLD is commonly used for chronic inflammation linked to joint swelling, autoimmune responses, post-injury edema, chronic inflammatory flare-ups, and conditions such as arthritis, psoriasis, and chronic soft tissue inflammation. It is used alongside — not instead of — medical treatment.
MLD reduces inflammatory agents in the interstitial space, decreases spastic contractions, and lowers vascular permeability. This reduces protein load and excess fluid in the tissue, re-establishing the fluid balance needed for efficient nutrient delivery and waste removal at the cellular level.
In tissue, the tissue required for patients and waste to cross an interstitial area increases with distance — meaning more swelling means slower cellular repair. By reducing edema, MLD shortens the distance nutrients must travel to reach cells and less waste must travel to be removed, significantly accelerating the healing environment.
Yes. While acute inflammation limits the spread of infection and is not treated with MLD, chronic inflammation does not carry the same protective benefit. In chronic cases, MLD helps remove inflammatory agents that are maintaining the cycle of swelling, tissue acidification, and reduced lymph transport.
Inflammation shifts the pH of connective tissue from normal to acidic. This acidic environment increases the permeability of blood capillary walls, allowing more protein to leak into surrounding tissue — raising osmotic pressure, drawing in more fluid, and worsening edema. MLD helps interrupt this cycle.
MLD is contraindicated for individuals with untreated malignant diseases, acute inflammations, recent thrombosis, cardiac insufficiency, or renal failure. These conditions should be disclosed and discussed with a therapist before booking.
Yes. All MLD therapists at the In Step Salutari Massage Centre are certified through the Dr. Vodder School International — the most comprehensive MLD training program available — ensuring treatment is performed to the highest clinical standard.
Book online through the Salutari Centre booking page or call In Step Physical Therapy at (587) 409-1754. The clinic is located at 10667 113 St NW, Edmonton, open Monday to Friday 8am–8pm and Saturday 8am–4pm. Direct billing is available for most extended health plans.
45 minutes session
Regular Massage
$78.75MLD Massage
$95.00IPD
$85.00IPD + Bandaging
$120.00
Why People Love Us
I’ve been going to see Lee Saunders for several years for massage thèrepy and he is the best there is. Hands down (so to speak). Salutaris is a very comfortable, clean and welcoming environment. Prices are competitive. Salutaris (and Lee) are well worth visiting.
The most impressive thing about Salutaris is that massage is not just a physical, one dimensional activity. At the clinic, massage is a molding and a healing, a bringing back together of body, mind and soul. I see the goal as wanting to return these three to perfect harmony. I have had a few other massage therapists who are very adept at massage therapy. I have never left feeling as whole as when I leave Salutaris.
I had hip resurfacing done – it’s called the Birmingham procedure – on my right hip. I went for Manual Lymph Drainage treatment to see if it would help my recovery. And it did. I was treated very professionally, but also very gently. I felt comfortable and confident that this was the right place for me to be. And the treatment worked. It made me feel better and certainly helped me recover from surgery more quickly.
I had surgery on my knees. The pain was so intense that people told me it hurt to watch me walk. I knew a little about lymphatic drainage, and thought it might help after surgery. It did. It was fantastic. I could literally see the swelling go down. The therapist drained the equivalent of a bottle of wine in a week. I healed much quicker. The surgeon was amazed I could return to my job, running up and down steel ladders. I’d been terrified I wouldn’t be able to work there again.
When I first came to Salutaris, I was very skeptical of the MLD technique – but was desperate and willing to try anything. My hip and lower legs were agony from an inflamed disc. I tried other forms of massage and acupuncture but nothing was effective. Since I started MLD and massage therapy at Salutaris I’ve got consistently better. I’m now sleeping through the night and am almost completely off pain medication. As a sufferer of chronic low-back pain, I’ve found this has been the most effective treatment by far.
Highly recommend. Nice secretary and they served me well. Felt way better leaving. Her husband had a concussion like me but worse. We had a good talk for like 10 minutes over the phone. So nice of her to take that little extra time and have a great customer bond like that. They truly care about their clients. Give them Your business. Will be seeing you again one day.
I’ve been going to see Lee Saunders for several years for massage thèrepy and he is the best there is. Hands down (so to speak). Salutaris is a very comfortable, clean and welcoming environment. Prices are competitive. Salutaris (and Lee) are well worth visiting.
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Reach Us
- Address - 10667 113 St NW, Edmonton, AB T5H 3H6
- Phone - (587) 409-1754
- Email - info@instepphysio.ca
- Business Hours - Mon – Fri: 8 am – 8 pm
- Business Hours - Sat: 8 am – 4 pm