Manual Therapy
Hands-on joint and soft-tissue techniques, combined with exercise, to ease pain and help you move more freely.
Lymphoedema & Lipoedema Therapy
Managing swelling with manual lymphatic drainage, compression bandaging and exercise.
What is lymphoedema and lipoedema therapy?
Lymphoedema is chronic swelling, most often in an arm or a leg, that develops when the lymphatic system cannot move fluid well enough. It may be linked to a developmental difference in the lymphatic system (primary) or follow surgery or radiotherapy that affects the lymph nodes, for example after breast cancer treatment (secondary).
Lipoedema is a chronic condition seen mostly in women, in which fat builds up symmetrically and disproportionately in the legs and sometimes the arms. Pain, tenderness to touch, a feeling of heaviness and easy bruising are common. Therapy does not aim to reduce fat. Its aim is to manage symptoms such as pain, heaviness and swelling, and to support mobility.
In both cases the diagnosis is made by a doctor. I build your treatment plan in line with your doctor’s diagnosis and recommendations.
Common conditions
- Arm lymphoedema after breast cancer treatment
- Leg lymphoedema after gynaecological or other cancer treatment
- Primary lymphoedema
- Pain, tenderness and heaviness related to lipoedema
- Lipoedema and lymphoedema occurring together (lipo-lymphoedema)
- Swelling that persists after surgery or injury (following a medical assessment)
- Swelling associated with venous insufficiency (with your doctor’s approval)
This list is for general information. The right approach for you is decided after an assessment.
When to see a doctor
Sudden swelling, redness, warmth or pain in an arm or leg, or a fever, can be a sign of an infection (cellulitis) or a deep vein thrombosis, which need urgent medical attention. If this happens, pause therapy and see a doctor straight away.
How we work together
I plan each step with you, at a pace that suits you.
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Assessment
Alongside your doctor’s diagnosis and reports, I assess where the swelling is, how marked it is and the condition of your skin and tissues, and take circumference measurements as a baseline.
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Intensive phase
In the first phase of complex decongestive therapy (CDT), we aim to reduce the swelling with manual lymphatic drainage, multilayer compression bandaging, exercise and skin care.
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Compression and exercise
Exercising in bandages or a compression garment activates the muscle pump and supports lymph flow. In lipoedema, too, compression and regular exercise are key tools for managing pain and heaviness.
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Maintenance phase
To keep the gains you have made, we work on wearing compression garments, simple self-drainage techniques, exercise and skin-care habits.
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Follow-up
I repeat the measurements at regular intervals and update the programme as your needs change.
The first step: an assessment
If you have questions about lymphoedema and lipoedema therapy or would like to start, leave a request and I will call you so that we can find a suitable time together.
Frequently asked questions
See all questions-
Will lipoedema therapy help me lose weight?
No. The aim is not weight or fat loss. Manual lymphatic drainage, compression and exercise are used to manage symptoms such as pain, heaviness and swelling, and to support mobility. Please talk to your doctor about nutrition and other treatment options.
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Is manual lymphatic drainage suitable for everyone?
No. It is not used in certain situations, such as an acute infection, a deep vein thrombosis or heart failure that is not under control. That is why a medical assessment and a detailed health history matter before treatment begins.
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When do I move on to a compression garment?
Usually at the end of the intensive phase, once the swelling has gone down, you are measured for a made-to-measure compression garment. The timing and type of garment are decided together with your doctor.