Lymphatic drainage
Lymphatic Drainage Massage in Innaloo, Perth
Also called manual lymphatic drainage, or MLD. It is one of the lightest treatments on our menu, and that surprises people who expect every massage to be firm. Sessions run 60, 75 or 90 minutes at our studio in Innaloo, a few minutes from Karrinyup, Scarborough, Stirling, Doubleview and Osborne Park.
What it involves
What a lymphatic drainage massage involves
Your lymphatic system is a network that helps move fluid through the body. A lymphatic drainage massage uses very light, rhythmic, repetitive strokes that follow the natural direction of that flow. It is gentle by design.
What a session involves
Slow and methodical. Your therapist works with flat hands and soft, sweeping movements, building a steady rhythm across an area rather than digging into one spot. We have a quick chat first about how you are feeling and whether there is anything we should know.
How it feels
Most people find it surprisingly calming, because the repetitive, featherlight strokes are easy to switch off to. It is a world away from a deep-tissue or remedial massage, so if you have only ever had firm treatments, it is worth knowing this one is meant to feel light.
When people book it
When they want something gentle rather than intense: after a big week, when they are feeling heavy or sluggish, or simply when a deep massage feels like too much. If you are pregnant, recovering from surgery or managing a medical condition, please mention it when you book so we can tailor the session or recommend the right option.
We will not promise a particular medical outcome. What we can offer is a calm, careful treatment suited to you. For a fuller walk-through, read our guide to what lymphatic drainage massage involves.
Prices
Lymphatic drainage massage prices in Perth
Prices in AUD. Our therapist is an ANTA member and HICAPS is on site, so health-fund claims from recognised Australian funds can be processed on the spot. What you get back depends on your fund and level of cover, and how health fund rebates actually work is worth two minutes before you book. The whole treatment menu and prices sits on one page if you are comparing.
The 75 minute session
Lymphatic drainage with a facial
The 75 minute session at $180 builds a facial into the treatment. It is the same light, rhythmic technique, taken over the face, jaw and neck as well as the body, and it is the session people mean when they search for a lymphatic drainage facial in Perth. We do not sell it as a standalone facial, because the point of it is that the face is not treated in isolation from everything below it.
Our guide to what a lymphatic drainage facial involves explains why it is massage rather than a skincare treatment. If it is the face and head part that appeals rather than the lymphatic technique, the facial and head massage guide covers that treatment on its own, and it starts at a shorter length.
Book the 75 minute sessionWhile you are expecting
Lymphatic drainage massage during pregnancy
Swelling through the legs, ankles and hands is one of the most common reasons people look up lymphatic drainage while pregnant, and it is a fair question to bring to us.
Tell us when you book
Mention that you are pregnant and how far along you are. We will tailor the session, adjust the positioning, and keep checking that the pace and pressure feel right. This is the same conversation we would have before any treatment; it just matters more here.
Or book pregnancy massage instead
Our pregnancy massage is set up for side-lying comfort and support, runs from 30 to 60 minutes, and starts at $70. It is gentle in the same way, and for many people it is the better fit. A quick chat settles which.
We are not able to advise on a medical condition, and we will say so rather than guess. If you are being cared for by a midwife or an obstetrician, their guidance comes first, and we will work alongside it.
Being straight with you
Does lymphatic drainage massage actually work?
It is one of the most oversold treatments in the wellness industry, and it also has a real clinical evidence base. Both are true, and which one applies depends on why you are booking.
Where it genuinely helps
For lymphoedema after breast cancer treatment it is safe and it adds benefit. Compression garments do most of the work, and manual lymphatic drainage adds roughly another 7% volume reduction on top. If that is you, a certified lymphoedema therapist working with your treating team is the right first call.
Where the evidence is negative
After joint surgery, the highest level of available evidence does not support it. A separate review found no difference in knee range of motion, and after elbow surgery a device matched it for swelling and beat it for pain.
Where there is no evidence at all
For cosmetic use, debloating, contouring and general wellness, we searched and found no high-quality randomised trials. Not weak evidence: none. It is still a gentle, pleasant treatment, and there is nothing wrong with booking one on that basis.
Every claim above traces to a published source, and we have set the whole thing out with citations on what lymphatic drainage massage actually does. The related claim that massage flushes toxins does not survive the research either, and what massage does to circulation is a separate question again. The full remedial massage reference is open to read.
Getting here
Lymphatic drainage massage across Perth’s northern suburbs
The studio is on King George Street in Innaloo, a quiet residential turn rather than a shopping strip, with reserved parking at the door. Manual lymphatic drainage is specialised enough that people travel for it, and most of ours come from Scarborough, Karrinyup, Stirling, Doubleview, Osborne Park, Woodlands and Wembley Downs.
Coming from Osborne Park? You are close. Osborne Park sits directly alongside Innaloo, and the run up through the Scarborough Beach Road end of the suburb puts you at the door without going near a shopping centre car park. It is one of the most common places people search for lymphatic drainage from, and one of the shortest trips to us.
There is one client in the studio at a time, so the room is quiet and nothing runs to somebody else’s clock. Four suburbs have a page of their own with a route map and directions:
Unit 2, 39 King George Street, Innaloo WA 6018 · Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri, Sat · 9.30am–6pm · Closed Wed & Sun
Verified reviews
What our lymphatic drainage clients say
“What an incredible experience! Amy’s attention to detail, her obvious high level of training and knowledge, and the beautiful premises made for what was one of the best, if not the best, remedial massages I have ever had. I have had a lot of massages in my time and this was something else. The only downside is that I had to leave. Thanks Amy, I know your practice is going to get quite popular!”
“Communication and excellent service”
Read every review on FreshaLeft by clients after a completed appointment. We cannot edit or remove them.
Common questions
Lymphatic drainage massage, answered
What is manual lymphatic drainage (MLD)?
Manual lymphatic drainage, usually shortened to MLD, is the hands-on technique used in a lymphatic drainage massage. It uses very light, rhythmic, repetitive strokes that follow the natural direction of lymph flow, rather than the firm pressure you would get in a remedial or deep-tissue treatment.
Does lymphatic drainage massage work?
It depends entirely on why you are booking it. For lymphoedema after breast cancer treatment it is safe and it helps, though compression garments do most of the work. For swelling after joint surgery the evidence is negative. For cosmetic and general wellness use there is no high-quality randomised evidence at all. We have published the research in full rather than summarise it in our own favour.
Is lymphatic drainage massage painful?
No. It is one of the lightest treatments on the menu. The strokes are soft and sweeping, and most people find the steady rhythm surprisingly calming. Pressing harder is not the point, and often works against it.
How long is a lymphatic drainage session, and how much does it cost?
You can book 60, 75 or 90 minutes, at $150, $180 and $210. The 75 minute session includes a facial, and the 90 minute session covers the whole system.
Is there a lymphatic drainage facial?
Yes, in the sense that the 75 minute session builds a facial into the treatment: the same light, rhythmic technique taken over the face, jaw and neck as well as the body. It is not sold as a separate standalone facial. Our guide to what a facial and head massage involves covers that side in more detail.
Can I have lymphatic drainage massage while pregnant?
Tell us you are pregnant when you book and we will tailor the session, or suggest our pregnancy massage instead, which is set up for side-lying comfort and support. Both are gentle treatments. Which one suits you depends on how far along you are and how you are feeling, so it is worth a quick conversation first.
How often can you get a lymphatic drainage massage?
As often as it suits you. There is no schedule we would push you into, and no course of treatment you need to commit to. Most people book it when they want something gentle rather than intense, which for some is monthly and for others is once. Our guide to how often you should get a massage works through it properly.
Does lymphatic drainage help with weight loss or debloating?
We would not sell it to you on that basis. No high-quality randomised trial supports lymphatic drainage for contouring, debloating or weight loss, and the claim that massage flushes toxins does not survive contact with the research either. It is a gentle, pleasant treatment and there is nothing wrong with booking one on that basis.
Is your lymphatic massage therapist qualified?
Your treatment is delivered by a qualified remedial massage therapist who is an ANTA member. That membership is also what makes HICAPS claiming possible on the day.
Can I claim lymphatic drainage on my health fund?
Our therapist is an ANTA member and HICAPS is on site, so claims from recognised Australian health funds can be processed on the spot. What you get back depends on your fund and your level of cover, so check your extras before you book.
Where in Perth are you?
Our studio is at Unit 2, 39 King George Street, Innaloo WA 6018, a few minutes from Karrinyup, Scarborough, Stirling, Doubleview and Osborne Park. There is reserved parking at the door, and you can see the studio and how to find it.
More on booking, treatments and health funds on our frequently asked questions page.
Book a lymphatic drainage massage in Perth
Unit 2, 39 King George Street, Innaloo WA 6018 · Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri, Sat · 9.30am–6pm · Closed Wed & Sun
Serving Innaloo, Scarborough, Karrinyup, Stirling, Doubleview, Osborne Park, Woodlands, Wembley Downs and the wider northern suburbs of Perth.