Manual lymph drainage (MLD, or lymphatic drainage) is a gentle bodywork technique that provides relief from the effects of lymphedema, the build-up of fluid in the arms or legs. Lymphedema is often the result of surgery, radiation therapy, or some kinds of chemotherapy or immunotherapy. MLD redirects this excess fluid out of swollen limbs into other areas of the body that are not affected so that it may be filtered and properly excreted.