A case study shared by Carol Roine, ASTECC Instructor, Finland
How one woman’s determination to research her symptoms led to meaningful recovery through Manual Lymphatic Drainage
When conventional medicine reaches its limits, sometimes the most profound healing begins with our own curiosity and determination to learn. This is the story of how one woman’s relentless research and willingness to explore alternative therapies transformed her Long Covid experience from despair to hope.
My Long Covid Client
I recently had a client who came to me for relief from her symptoms of long Covid. After more than two years and seeing several doctors, she unfortunately was not having any significant improvement in her symptoms and was diagnosed with Long Covid. Before having Covid she was quite active, worked regular hours and liked to exercise often. After becoming ill with Covid, among other symptoms, she was depleted of all her energy, had brain fog and lost her motivation. She could no longer exercise like she used to and this caused a bit of depression as well.
The Journey to Find Solutions
My client wasn’t getting relief, answers or exactly what she felt she needed from doctors and continued to do her own research. She was very determined and eventually came across articles about how Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) was being used as one option of therapy for people who have had some symptoms of fatigue or Chronic Fatigue syndrome from Covid. It was mentioned that MLD can help relieve symptoms of post COVID related cough, breathlessness and fatigue. She was very impressed and hopeful the information in the articles may help her also. My client wanted to try this approach and eventually, she found me.
Beginning Treatment
After an evaluation, we started our sessions with an hour of the Vodder Technique Manual Lymphatic Drainage on her body starting with long neck, belly, legs and her back for an hour every week. After the third session, she said she felt she had much more energy. Obviously not 100% but she could do a lot more than she had in the past. She felt it was easier to take longer walks, meet her friends and colleagues and get to a more normal lifestyle. This is what she was longing for and needed for her mental health.
Continuing Progress
We continued every week with her sessions and she would say she felt better. Sometimes during the week she would have a setback or agree that maybe she did over exert herself. Each time when she came in, after her treatment, she felt significantly better and stronger. After her ninth treatment she stated she was very happy about the results and felt the Manual Lymphatic Drainage definitely contributed to her recovery journey. It was helping her get her energy and longevity for exercise back. She felt like she had more energy, a more positive outlook and was, overall, much more happy.
I think, in general, my client felt better about herself and became more self-confident realizing that it wasn’t a lost cause. Some of the negative feelings about how there was “no hope”, were subsiding.
A Positive Outcome
My client was very happy in the end after her 10th treatment, feeling very positive and hopeful she would continue to feel better.
The Lesson in Learning
This client’s story illuminates a powerful truth about healing: sometimes our greatest ally in recovery is our own willingness to learn, research, and advocate for ourselves. When she refused to accept that her symptoms were simply something she had to live with, when she invested time in understanding potential solutions, she opened the door to possibilities that traditional approaches hadn’t offered.
Her journey reminds us that healing often requires us to become active participants in our recovery, combining professional expertise with our own research and intuition. The learning that my client engaged in – reading research, exploring options, remaining open to new approaches – became the foundation for her healing.
A Message of Hope
For others struggling with Long Covid or similar post-viral conditions, this client’s story offers both inspiration and practical guidance. Recovery may not follow conventional timelines or traditional treatment paths. Sometimes the most effective healing comes from combining evidence-based alternative therapies with our own determination to understand and address our symptoms.
The research supporting Manual Lymphatic Drainage for post-Covid symptoms continues to grow, offering hope for others walking similar paths. But perhaps the most important lesson from this journey is that hope itself can be cultivated through learning, persistence, and the courage to explore new possibilities for healing.
Carol Roine is an ASTECC instructor based in Finland, specializing in Manual Lymphatic Drainage and therapeutic massage techniques.
If you’re struggling with Long Covid or similar symptoms, consider consulting with healthcare providers familiar with Manual Lymphatic Drainage and other integrative approaches. Remember that your willingness to learn about and advocate for your health is one of your most powerful tools in recovery.
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According to a 2023 study published in Frontiers in Neurology, Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) has shown promise in reducing fatigue and improving symptoms in patients with Long COVID. [source]
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