Lipoedema Ladies

Lymphodema /Lipoedema—what is the difference?, Jane Harding MSc., SRP.,Macmillan Lymphoedema Specialist Physiotherapist.She is currently working at The Sheffield Macmillan Specialist Lymphoedema and Chronic Oedema Centre

 

Regular manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) helps to reduce dependent oedema (early stages) and lymphoedema (later stages). MLD is particularly recommended for lipoedema sufferers who are sensitive to touch or experience pain when touched. Usually other types of massage (e.g. holistic - or sports massage) are not tolerated.

 

Furthermore, several studies on the effectiveness of manualy lymphatic drainage in the treatment of fibromyalgia (a condition where sufferers experience soft tissue pain allover their bodies) and sports injuries (sprains and strains) have shown that MLD has a pain relieving and anti-inflammatory effect.

The frequency and duration of manual lymphatic drainage sessions depends on the serverity of the lipoedema and if, additionally, lymphoedema is present

 

Jane knows it is imperitive to get us into our support garments to help our lymph system, although she recognises it is not always that easy when the Lipoedema lady has pain and tenderness. Jane though has found by women undergoing a course of MLD that many are able to tolerate light compression and following this with more MLD sessions over the years, Lipoedema ladies can wear Class 2 or even 3 quite comfortably.

 

To learn the difference yourself between Lymphoedema and Lipoedema use this link:

http://www.lymphoedema.org/Menu7/Index.asp