What is manual lymphatic drainage mld was developed by dr emil and estrid vodder in the 1930s following many years of research into the lymphatic system and widely recognised and practised in american and european clinics to treat a variety of different conditions what does it do mld helps to drain excess fluid from the tissues of the body mld can help to reduce pain by its action on the nervous system mld aids relaxation by its action on the nervous system and muscles mld is believe