23 Portland Square, Carlisle, CA1 PE
Based in Carlisle, Cumbria, we offer a friendly, welcoming space where you can enjoy a range of pre and post op treatements.
At CL Body Therapy, we provide specialist pre- and post-operative Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) to support your body through every stage of recovery. Our training is clinically led, evidence-informed, and focused on delivering safe, effective treatment following both cosmetic and medical surgical procedures.
Optimise your lymphatic system before your procedure — reduce baseline swelling and prime your body for faster recovery
Optimise your lymphatic system before your procedure — reduce baseline swelling and prime your body for faster recovery
Clinically-trained with Lymphedema Training Academy
Pre-Surgery MLD helps prepare the body for surgery by reducing fluid retention, optimising circulation, supporting immune function, and creating the best possible environment for healing and recovery.
Post-Surgery MLD may help to:
Every treatment is carefully tailored to your individual needs, stage of healing, and surgical procedure. Using gentle, rhythmic lymphatic drainage techniques and targeted compression where appropriate, treatments are designed to support recovery safely and comfortably.
Pre-operative MLD prepares your lymphatic system in the weeks before your procedure. Typically one to three sessions in the two to four weeks prior to your operation.
Post-operative MLD begins as soon as it is safe to do so — typically once wounds are closed and your medical team has approved. Often most impactful in the first six to twelve weeks.
Post-procedure MLD reduces swelling, prevents fibrosis and helps the skin reattach smoothly for a better overall result.
Following knee, hip or ligament surgery — MLD complements physiotherapy by managing swelling and supporting soft tissue recovery.
Cancer treatment and surgery can disrupt the lymphatic system profoundly — particularly where lymph nodes have been removed or damaged. MLD provides specialist, gentle support for managing lymphoedema, reducing post-surgical swelling and helping the body find its balance again
Top surgery disrupts the lymphatic network across the chest and axillary region. MLD helps manage post-operative swelling, reduces seroma risk and supports even healing — in a safe, affirming and fully confidential space.
Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) can often begin as early as 3 days after surgery, depending on your procedure and your surgeon’s recommendations.
Before your procedure, it is important to speak with your surgeon or consultant and ask when they feel it is appropriate for you to begin post-operative MLD.
Having this conversation in advance allows you to plan your treatment schedule and secure your appointments in our diary as soon as your surgery date is confirmed.
No. Post-surgery Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) should not be painful. It is an extremely gentle technique that works with your body’s lymphatic system at a level that is safe, effective, and comfortable during the early stages of healing.
As your recovery progresses, your treatment plan will progress too. Depending on your stage of healing and your surgeon’s guidance, we may gradually introduce slightly firmer techniques and additional clinically informed modalities, such as heat, negative pressure, and vibration therapy, to help address adhesions, fibrosis, and areas of tissue restriction.
Every treatment is tailored to your individual stage of healing, ensuring your recovery is supported safely and effectively.
After surgery, your body is healing and recovering, so it’s important that your Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) is carried out by a therapist who has completed additional training in post-surgical care.
Post-surgery MLD isn’t the same as a standard lymphatic drainage treatment. Following procedures such as an abdominoplasty, the body’s lymphatic watersheds can be altered. Incisions and scar tissue may also disrupt normal lymphatic pathways. Your therapist needs a thorough understanding of alternative drainage pathways and lymph node regions so they can safely guide fluid away from the surgical area without placing unnecessary tension on healing tissues or compromising your recovery.
They also need to understand the different stages of healing, know when and how to adapt your treatment, and recognise when something doesn’t look quite right.
At CL Body Therapy, we are proud to be clinically trained in post-surgery MLD through the Lymphoedema Training Academy. We are also Carlisle’s first Restore Scar Therapy Specialist, meaning your care goes beyond MLD alone. As your healing progresses, we can incorporate clinically appropriate scar therapy techniques to support mobility, reduce adhesions, help manage fibrosis, and optimise your overall recovery.
Throughout your recovery, we’ll monitor your progress, check for any signs that may require further medical advice, and ensure each treatment is appropriate for your stage of healing.
We’ll also check that your compression garments are fitting correctly. If they’re creasing or creating uneven pressure, we may recommend the use of specialist foam padding to improve compression, reduce fluid build-up, and support a smoother recovery.
Choosing a therapist with additional clinical training in post-surgery MLD gives you peace of mind that your treatment is being carried out safely, thoughtfully, and with your recovery as the priority.
Whether your surgery is coming up or you are already in recovery, Colette is here to support you. No referral needed — book directly online or call to discuss your situation first.