Wood Therapy
A firm massage with shaped wooden tools, designed to encourage lymphatic drainage and leave the skin looking smoother for a short time
Wood therapy, sometimes called maderotherapy, is a massage that uses shaped wooden tools, such as rollers, cups and contoured paddles, to work over the body with firm, rhythmic strokes. The strokes follow the direction of the lymphatic system, so the treatment is designed to encourage lymphatic drainage and ease the feeling of puffiness, while leaving the skin looking smoother for a short time. It is often chosen for the thighs, bottom, stomach and arms, and it sits naturally alongside our lymphatic drainage massage. Every session starts with a consultation, and results vary from person to person.
Two treatments you can combine
Wood therapy and lymphatic drainage massage both follow the lymphatic system, but they feel quite different. Here is how they fit together, so you can choose what suits you.
Lymphatic drainage massage is very light and slow, using the hands only. Wood therapy uses firmer strokes with wooden tools, and is often chosen for areas such as the thighs, bottom and stomach.
You might start with lymphatic drainage and move on to wood therapy, or alternate the two. Your therapist will suggest a plan at your consultation, based on how your skin and body respond.
Lymphatic drainage
Very light hand movements that follow the lymphatic system. A gentle choice on its own, and a good first step before wood therapy.
Lymphatic Drainage Massage →Wood therapy
Firmer strokes with shaped wooden tools, designed to encourage drainage and leave the skin looking smoother.
After surgery
Once your wounds have fully healed, the swelling has settled and your surgeon agrees, wood therapy can follow gentle lymphatic drainage as part of your aftercare.
Post-Operative Care →Pricing
| Treatment | Duration | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wood Therapy Body Contouring | 70m | from £75 | Book |
Prices shown are the lowest starting price across our clinics and may vary by location and individual needs. Consultation required.
What to Expect
Preparation
Your first visit starts with a consultation about your health and the areas you would like to focus on. Please tell us if you are pregnant or have had surgery recently, if you take blood thinning medicines, or if you have varicose veins, a current or past blood clot, a blood clotting condition, a heart or kidney condition, cancer, lymphoedema or lipoedema, skin that bruises easily, or a skin infection or broken skin, as wood therapy may not be suitable. If you feel unwell on the day, please let us know so we can rebook. Wear comfortable underwear, and drink some water before your appointment.
Your Treatment
Oil is applied and your therapist works over each area with wooden tools, using firm, rhythmic strokes in the direction of lymph flow. The pressure is firmer than a relaxation massage, and we adjust it to what feels comfortable for you. The session takes about 70 minutes.
Aftercare
The treated areas may feel warm and look slightly pink, and some people bruise lightly, especially after their first session. There is no downtime, so you can go straight back to your day. Drink plenty of water. Any change in how the body looks is temporary, so wood therapy is often booked as a series of sessions.
Frequently Asked
Ready for Wood Therapy?
Book a consultation to discuss your goals and create a personalised treatment plan tailored just for you.