Lymphatic Therapy

Manual Lymph Drainage (MLD) is a gentle manual treatment technique. MLD should not be confused with massage. MLD is very specific, gentle and rhythmical. It is preformed in a precise sequence by a highly trained Lymphedema Therapist.

The main goal in treatment of lymphedema is to reroute the lymph flow around blocked areas to healthy lymph vessels.

Other indications for MLD treatment are:

Surgical: Post Mastectomy Edema, Post Hysterectomy Edema, Post Surgical Swelling, Pre Surgery Preparation, Pre/Post Cosmetic Surgery, Lymphedema

Musculoskeletal: sprains/strains, tendonitis, neck pain/whiplash, chronic pain

Ear/Nose/Throat: allergies, sinusitis, tinnitus

Neurological: tension headaches, migraines, stress

Other: constipation, arthritis, acne, rosacea, to complement Naturopathic treatment, Bronchitis

Combined Decongestive Therapy (CDT) is a combination of MLD, bandaging of the affected area (with Coban Bandages or short stretch bandaging), remedial exercises and skin care. CDT is divided into a two-phase program. An "intensive treatment phase" which is then followed by a "maintenance program" continued by the patient at home. Even in advanced lymphedema, CDT achieves excellent results with no side effects. CDT is labour intensive, time consuming and requires patient adherence to their treatment plan, therefore patients must be completely committed to the program. Goals may also include prevention and decreasing the risk of infection and the reduction of fibrotic tissue.

At this time there are no Aqua Lymphatic Therapy (ALT) classes scheduled.

What I have been doing is verbally explaining the techniques during an appointment, as there is a risk of making yourself worse if you don't understand the principles behind it.

ALT uses the properties of water (buoyancy force, hydrostatic pressure, drag, viscosity) to apply a gentle pressure or compression to the lymphatic system. They hydrostatic pressure of the water is greater (and more comfortable) than a compression garment if used correctly. Following a special exercise sequence done in a slow rhythm in the pool and combining it with self massage, you can use the properties of water to reduce swelling. Measurements are taken of the affected limb before and after the ALT class. Once calculations are made, you will know your fluid loss in mL's showing your progress which helps decide how to best continue with your individual goals.

Goals include: improve or maintain lymphedema, improve range of motion, improve function and quality of life, improve muscle strength and endurance, group support and you are learning a treatment that you can do on your own (great as an "emergency" self treatment especially when you are travelling).

Lipedema is a medical condition that millions of women have inherited.

Lipedema is generally unknown to medical providers and is usually confused with obesity. Lipedema involves abnormal fat deposition that can result in pain, immobility and lymphatic disturbances. With obesity reaching epidemic proportions and anti-fat bias prevalent in healthcare, it becomes critical that patients are correctly diagnosed and that resources are invested in understanding this disease and how it can be treated.

It occurs almost exclusively in women. There is a genetic component on the maternal side of the family. You may see Lipedema in a grandmother, aunt, sister. Hormones are thought to play a role and can be a trigger. A typical Lipedema patient usually has large hips and legs that are out of proportion to the rest of her body. (Can also be in the arms). The swelling is bilateral (both limbs) and symmetrical (even) and goes from the waist to the ankles and will form a cuff at the ankle, leaving the feet unaffected. As Lipedema progresses, pain tenderness and swelling increase while mobility decreases One of the hallmarks of the disease is that Lipedema fat is relatively unresponsive to diet and exercise. Which means you may lose weight in the abdomen but not in the arms and legs. Swelling in the limbs may increase during the day but does not usually cause pitting edema. Patients often say they have pain and tenderness in the fat. They can bruise easily. If Lipedema progresses, patients can also develop Secondary Lymphedema (Lipo-lymphedema), venous insufficiency and fibrosis. Treatment can stop the progression!!

Lipedema Fact Sheet

Combined Decongestive Therapy (CDT) which consists of Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD), bandaging, skin care and exercises.
Compression garments (most need to wear compression 24hrs /day to hold on to the benefits of CDT/MLD). The garments will not reduce the fat but they will help move lymph through the lymphatic system and help reeducate the fat by sculpting it over time.
Diet. There are a few popular diets - anti-inflammatory, RAD diet and the keto diet which shows a lot of promise. Intermittent fasting combined with Keto is also worth investigating (check out You-tube videos with Dr. Jason Fung, a Toronto Nephrologist who runs the Intensive Dietary Management program, although his focus is diabetes, he explains fasting in such detail and it works!).Even though Lipedema fat is more resistant to weight loss, diet is still very important because patients who are obese AND have lipedema will have significantly more problems with pain and mobility.
Exercises including deep breathing, water walking, Aqua Lymphatic Therapy, walking outdoors while wearing compression, rebounding.
Pneumatic compression pumps ... these are so expensive I hate to even mention them...
Supplements (please see a qualified practitioner familiar with fat disorders). Some suggestions are selenium, bioflavonoids, butchers broom, Horse Chestnut seed extract, Wobenzyme, Vitalzyme and liver support. You can also search you-tube for a symposium by Dr. Karen Herbst and Linda Kahn, its worth watching.

Lymphatic Therapy

Manual Lymphatic Drainage

Combined Decongestive Treatment

Aqua Lymphatic Therapy

Lipedema

Lipedema treatment

Recent Lipedema Information from the Lymphatic Summit 2024