Lymphedema treatment & MLD

 

Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) is a very gentile and precise skin treatment specifically impacting the lymphatic system. While MLD is more widely known for it’s important role in treatment of lymphedema, MLD also improves blood flow, reduces pain and inflammation and can offer a number of additional benefits due to it’s therapeutic effects (Keser & Esmer, 2019; Schingale et al., 2022). Recommended frequency and duration of MLD treatments are dependent on a number of factors which may include your diagnosis, stage of your condition or symptoms.

Combined Decongestive Therapy (CDT) consists of MLD treatments, compression bandaging, therapeutic exercises, patient education, and proper compression garments for maintenance care as needed. Some or all of these components may be included in treatment for lymphedema, CVI or lipedema depending on the indication and stage of condition.

An intensive therapy phase involving multiple treatments per week of CDT may be recommended if necessary. The purpose of an intensive therapy phase is to significantly reduce edema, remove fibrosis if present, reduce discomfort or pain, improve skin health, and gain tools to improve long-term management of lymphedema. Fitting for appropriate compression garments, education on risk factors and preventative measures as well as building healthy routines in order to maintain quality results following an intensive CDT phase are also important components of an intensive CDT phase.

Short stretch bandaging as a part of combined decongestive therapy (CDT) for treatment of lymphedema.

Additional indications for Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD):

  • Chronic venous insufficiency/ CVI
  • Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)
  • Concussions, Stroke, TBI
  • Rheumatoid arthritis (RA)
  • Lipedema
  • Chronic inflammation and pain
  • Symptoms associated with neurodegenerative diseases (AD, MS, PD)
  • Post operative edema
  • Intracranial swelling (TBI, Stroke or Concussion)
  • Chronic sinusitis
  • Frozen shoulder
  • Fibromyalgia
  • and more..

* Click our Research on MLD page to view references and research articles on the efficacy of MLD in treating a variety of different conditions in addition to lymphedema.