Lymphatic Drainage Massage in Boulder, Denver & Castle Rock.
Gentle • Precise • Deeply Calming • Feel Lighter
At Aligned Body Integration, Carolyn offers gentle lymphatic drainage therapy, a light, precise hands-on approach that works with the body’s lymphatic system. Many clients describe the work as deeply soothing and tell us they leave feeling lighter and more at ease.
Clients come to this work while recovering from surgery (with their doctor’s okay), while living with ongoing health conditions alongside their medical care, or simply for rest and wellbeing.
What Is Lymphatic Drainage Therapy (LDT)?
Lymphatic Drainage Therapy (LDT), developed by Dr. Bruno Chikly, is a gentle hands-on method that works with the lymphatic system, the network of lymph nodes and vessels that carries fluid through the body. Most people call it lymphatic drainage massage, lymphatic massage, or manual lymph drainage.
How Lymphatic Drainage Massage Works
Lymphatic drainage massage uses light pressure, gentle stretching of the skin, and slow rhythmic movements to:
encourage gentle lymph flow
help you feel calm and at ease
move lymph fluid toward functioning lymph nodes
This gentle technique works with the natural rhythm of the lymphatic vessels. If you’ve had cancer treatment, lymph node removal, or recent surgery, please talk with your medical team before booking.
What Is Manual Lymph Drainage?
Manual lymph drainage (MLD) is a related family of gentle lymphatic techniques. In medical settings, certified lymphedema therapists use MLD as part of treatment for conditions like lymphedema. Carolyn’s work is wellness bodywork, not medical treatment; if you have lymphedema or another medical condition, please work with your doctor or a certified lymphedema therapist and let Carolyn know.
This technique is often referred to as lymphatic massage, lymph drainage massage, or manual lymphatic drainage, depending on the setting. While the names differ, the idea is the same: gentle work with the body’s lymph flow.
Why Clients Come to Lymphatic Drainage Massage
1. After Surgery
Clients book sessions after procedures such as:
cosmetic surgery
orthopedic procedures
abdominal or pelvic operations
Please get your surgeon’s or doctor’s okay first and follow their timeline. Carolyn’s work is meant to complement your medical care, not replace it.
If your surgeon has you wearing a compression garment, keep following their instructions.
2. Living With Ongoing Health Conditions
Some clients living with ongoing conditions find gentle lymphatic work a calming, supportive part of their self-care, alongside the care of their medical providers.
3. General Wellness & Rest
Many clients simply come for:
a lighter, less puffy feeling
deep rest and relaxation
Many clients schedule regular sessions because they enjoy how they feel afterward.
Lymphatic Massage for Active People
Runners, cyclists, climbers and other active people often book lymphatic sessions as a gentle, restorative contrast to hard training.
Many active clients tell us they feel lighter and more refreshed afterward.
Lifestyle Support: Movement, Exercise, and Daily Wellness
Healthy lymph flow is closely linked to movement. Walking, stretching, yoga, and gentle exercise help the body’s natural lymphatic pump, and lymphatic sessions pair well with those habits.
Even small daily habits — deep breathing, mindful movement, hydration, and periods of rest — help the lymphatic system do its job. Many clients find that adding a series of lymphatic sessions encourages more ease during exercise, less tension during recovery, and more balance in their overall physical health.
Is Lymphatic Massage Good After Exercise?
Many active clients enjoy it after hard training as a gentle way to rest and feel lighter. It isn’t a substitute for medical care for an injury.
What If I Have a Health Condition?
Please tell Carolyn about any health conditions, and check with your doctor first if you have a heart, kidney, clotting, or lymphatic condition, an active infection, or are in cancer treatment. Lymphatic work is meant to complement your medical care, not replace it.
Is It Safe for Most People?
Lymphatic work is very gentle, but it isn’t right for everyone. Carolyn will review your health history with you and may ask you to check with your doctor before your session.
What to Expect During a Session
A session of lymphatic massage is deeply relaxing, calming, and performed fully clothed. Your practitioner uses slow hand motions, gentle pressure, and wave-like techniques to support lymph flow throughout the body.
Areas commonly addressed include:
neck
clavicle region
chest
abdomen
hips
arms
legs
areas affected by swelling or tension
You may feel subtle warmth, shifting fluid, or a light pulsing sensation. Many clients tell us they feel lighter, clearer, and more grounded after a session.
If you’re working with a physical therapist or medical team, let them and Carolyn know so your care fits together.
Why Carolyn’s Approach Is Different
Carolyn has more than 15 years of experience in advanced bodywork, including training in:
Lymphatic Drainage Therapy (Chikly Method)
manual lymph drainage techniques
craniosacral therapy
soft tissue manipulation
pain management considerations
trauma-informed care
She works gently but with deep precision, supporting both physical and emotional ease. Clients often describe her presence as grounding, intuitive, and compassionate.
Her goal is to improve your overall wellness, help your body move more freely, and support your recovery with care that honors the body's own intelligence.
How Many Sessions Do You Need?
Frequency depends on your goals:
After surgery: often 2–3 sessions per week at first, following your surgeon’s guidance
General wellness: every 2–4 weeks
Seasonal reset: as needed
Every plan is personalized based on your goals and your body’s response.
Ready to Feel Lighter and More at Ease?
If you’re ready for gentle, caring lymphatic work, Carolyn would love to see you.
📍 Boulder
📍 Denver
📍 Castle Rock
Schedule your lymphatic drainage massage today.
