Lymphatic Therapy

Gentle, hands-on care to support healthy fluid movement and ease swelling.

Your lymphatic system is the body’s quiet drainage network. It carries fluid, waste, and immune cells through a web of vessels and nodes, keeping tissues light and comfortable. When that system becomes overloaded, slowed, or interrupted, fluid can settle into the tissues and bring swelling, heaviness, tightness, and discomfort.

Lymphatic Therapy is a calm, light-touch way to help that fluid move freely again. My approach is grounded in Complete Decongestive Therapy, the recognized standard of care for managing lymphedema, and I tailor every session to your body, your comfort, and your goals.

What a session involves

Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD). This is the heart of the work. Using light pressure and slow, rhythmic hand movements that follow your body’s natural lymphatic pathways, I gently guide settled fluid toward the areas where it drains most easily. The pressure stays soft and the pace stays slow — most people find it deeply relaxing, almost meditative.

Compression support. Once the fluid is moving, light compression with wraps or fitted garments helps hold that progress between sessions. I help you find the right level of support and show you how to use it with ease.

Gentle movement and breathing. Simple, comfortable exercises paired with deep diaphragmatic breathing act as a natural pump for the lymphatic system, keeping fluid in motion throughout your day.

Skin care and self-care. Healthy, well-tended skin supports the whole system. I teach you straightforward self-care techniques and a self-MLD routine you can carry into daily life, so the comfort you feel in the studio continues at home.

Conditions I support

• Lymphedema — a buildup of lymph fluid that can follow surgery, cancer treatment, or injury, or that can arise from a lymphatic system that has worked differently since birth.
• Lipedema — a chronic condition involving a symmetrical buildup of fatty tissue, most often in the legs and sometimes the arms, which can bring tenderness, heaviness, and easy bruising. Gentle lymphatic work helps ease discomfort and supports fluid movement, and it becomes especially valuable when lipedema begins to involve the lymphatic system over time.
• Post-surgical swelling — where lymphatic work can encourage drainage and support a more comfortable recovery.
• General fluid retention and heaviness that responds well to gentle lymphatic support.

How care unfolds

Lymphatic conditions are best understood as managed over time, much like caring for your heart or your joints. Early sessions focus on easing congestion and improving the look and feel of the affected area. From there, we settle into a comfortable maintenance rhythm, with self-care tools that keep you feeling light and in control between visits.

Where I work

You can see me in one of two private treatment studios in Waikoloa Village, or I can come to you along the Kohala Coast through my concierge Physical Therapy service. Virtual sessions are available statewide in Hawaiʻi and in California.

Move Better. Feel Better. Live Better.

With aloha, Carolyn Silan, PT, CGCP, CEAS, CSCS (R)

Disclaimer: The information provided here is for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult with a licensed healthcare provider or Physical Therapist before making changes to your diet, exercise routine, or supplement regimen. If you experience any pain, discomfort, or adverse effects while following any of the suggestions mentioned, discontinue immediately and seek professional guidance. Your health and safety are our top priorities.