Lymphedema management: Manual lymph drainage for lower extremities
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- Опубліковано 2 чер 2024
- The following special treatment guidelines apply to treatment with Manual Lymph Drainage of the Lower Extremities and differ from the principle of classic massage.
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I'm a massage therapist with over twenty years of experience and I'd like to offer an important editorial comment: This is a very general guide to Lymph massage. Lymph only flows ONE WAY-so the direction of the strokes is what's most important. Also, Lymph is a low-pressure system, using too much pressure will not move lymph it will bring blood into the tissues and may worsen the overload on the affected area. Keep in mind, that the pressure should only affect the skin just beneath your hand, if the joint/tissues above or below your hand are moving-reduce the pressure. Also, this is self-massage, when you're working on someone else- it will not be comforting if you don't use lotion and do the jerky movement shown in the video. Instead, you can apply lotion first, place your entire hand on the area, (lightly cup it so it curves around the body part ) and use gliding movements that are very slow in the direction indicated in the video instead of stretching movements.
Thank you for this feedback, Charlie. Best wishes to you.
@@mdanderson I so appreciate this quality video. I often have clients who cannot afford the frequency of therapy they need and deserve, or who have family who are caring for them at home who would like to do better. Videos like yours help me empower them to live healthier lives. THANK YOU!
Truly, truly appreciate your comment. Pelvic cancer surgery left me with lymphedema since 2014. (I'm fine, healed nicely. No cancer either). However, I mysteriously started to "balloon" in pelvis and abdomen after. Educating myself and then learning self massage techniques has been a godsend. Overall, simply cannot find a lymphedema specialist. And also, did you know it is EXTREMELY difficult to even get a GP or PC to get on board with recognizing and referring out for lymphedema care? (trust me on this). In fact, it has been my observation they couldn't possibly care less about this unusual, devestating condition. Therefore, this makes videos like this, and your comment, even more valuable. Curious, do all massage therapists have general training in lymphedema massage therapy? Thank you!
Thank you for posting this. I was born with Milroys so I’ve dealt with all my life.
Thank you so much for showing this. This will be really helpful to do at home.
My husband uses a Flexi-touch compression device for his ankles and calves. Given to us by the VA hospital. The techie came to our house and gave us a tutorial, so I am helping Ric remain on track with his treatments. We use the device 4x a week. Now, I am adding the massage techniques, as well as exercises, which should help him keep the swelling to a minimum and make sure he stays mobile and comfortable. Thank you from NYC!!
We're glad to hear this, Cynthia. We're sending you and your husband our best wishes.
Thank you for this! I just did the full leg massage and to my shock I can actually feel a tingling feeling, as the fluid is moving. I appreciate it so much!
Useful, thank you. Though it is slightly differing from a classic massage, MLD is a type of massage we must learn to perform in our class, so I am doing some research and your video is the first I'm watching. It's quite helpful. :)
I would love to purchase this video if possible. I need to see it in my bed when I am doing the drainage. It is the best one I have seen and I understand it much better than the video my Lymphedema Therapist directed me to. Do you know if a cd is available for purchase and if so does it have closed caption? Thank you.
Thank you! Very useful!
Never heard of this before & found it quite relaxing
This was great. I get drainage massages from my physiotherapist but it's honestly not enough, so this was very helpful. Even though I've gotten many, and they're always the same, it's important to know what and why and especially in what order to do things, so this video was great. Thanks for sharing.
We're so glad you found this information helpful. Best wishes to you.
do you have a thyroid goiter or checked it with physician?
GOOD day than9ks S0 MUCH for sharing your time with us..
Thank you!
Thank you.
Thank you so much for this video. It's so thorough and the instructions are so clear. It's the first MLD that led me to urinate immediately afterwards. Can you advise on how often to this massage in order to help with stage two lymphedema. I did. Some bandaging after the massage, would you recommend rebounding after this?
Lerato, this process should be done at least once a day. We encourage you to talk to your care team to see if they recommend you perform manual lymph drainage more often. Limbs should be bandaged for about 23 hours a day. Reapply your bandages after manual lymph drainage, bathing and applying lotion. Best wishes to you.
why is it ONLY the affected side? what would be negative about doing the massage on unaffected side?
Cynthia, performing this sequence on the unaffected side isn't recommended, because it could redirect the flow to the affected side. If you have specific questions, we encourage you to talk to your care team about lymphedema management.
Thank you
I’ve been massaging my son for over 10 years and just a few months miss, it’s back to square one. So sad.
😔😔😔
Yes, it is sad. My sympathies and prayers go to you and your son.
We're sorry to hear this, Melody.
This is a mother's love. Bless your heart.
In regards to the lower extremities, wouldn’t it be more effective to work distal to proximal instead of what’s being demonstrated?
No proximal first because it will get the fluid moving closer to the core of your body first making room for the next portion then work your way outward to the distal points. I hope that made sense.
My lymphedema nurse sent me to your video. Thank you! Does your step 13 instruction mean to repeat steps 11 to 1 in the opposite order as they were performed the first time?
It would be nice if they answered this. I'm wondering the same thing.
LE R , to repeat in opposite direction would be to move the lymph more up to neck area, this is where the lymph enters the big veins to be move out of body, that’s my understanding as I have lower lymph & this is good knowledge, I am going to follow & also do my back area,
From what I understand, yes. I have lymphedema in my left leg after having Cellulitis. When I went through lymphedema massage therapy, when you get to the toes, you reverse the process. One way loosens things, and going in reverse gets stuff out of the system.
Michael, yes. After completing each of these steps, perform each one in reverse order using the same direction of the strokes.
Time out. I have a severe lymphedema in my forearm according to my neurologist and MRI results. This has resulted in total paralysis of my left hand. When you look at my forearm you cannot tell a difference from left to right. But the patient’s leg in video is very much universally swollen from knee to ankle but not foot. And is easily distinguishable from the other leg. I thought it may be fake for demonstration. Why is this? Also my Dr simply prescribed a diuretic called Lasix, and a compression sleeve. Is this patient also doing that or just this massage? Can you please comment on recovery time. Thank you.
Anthony, we're sorry to hear this. Lymphedema treatment usually consists of complete decongestive therapy and this includes manual lymph drainage (massage), compression (bandages or stockings/sleeves), skin care and exercises. We encourage you to talk to your care team about your concerns, as we can't answer specific medical questions on UA-cam. Best wishes to you.
@@mdanderson thank you for the reply. I’m on my 5th Dr. I think it’s an Edema.They have no idea what it is. I’ll just keep trying
The leg is real, often caused by drugs or surgery.
Ideally, you could go to a real doctor,
a doctor of chinese medicine;
they're much better with that type of thing.
Can i use This method for lymphatic drainage massage for both sides affected of lower limbs??
Shrouk, yes, these techniques may be used on both sides of the body. We encourage you to talk to your care team about your concerns. Best wishes to you.
I've had swelling of both legs for 2 years. They both locked up and heavy . My girlfriend gave me a quick leg massage/ drainage and the swelling Is gone down alot. Still have some in feet and ankle. I am thinking endocarditis, or other valve or heart issues. But its been 2 years and I am doing more hard drugs,terrible diet and not eating zero etc. Surely it would have killed me by now
We're sorry to hear this, Brandt. We encourage you to share these concerns with your care team. You're in our thoughts.
Pardon me, but seems like the lady on 0:55 needs to check her thyroid. If she already did would be nice for us to know so we can relate the swelling of her leg with it, maybe.
What does it mean if your ankles and tops of your feet are swollen and have red spots that looks like a rash and also hurts?? Please help me
You have cellulitis and an infection going on inside. See your Dr. immediately or go to E.R.
Dana Norland see reply I made minutes ago. You have cellulitis and an infection inside your body. See your Dr. or go to ER asap
Does this manual massage really works? Someone have tried it really and know about this?
Hi Ana, this is one treatment option for lymphedema. We encourage you to talk to your care team about what might be best for you. You can learn more here: www.mdanderson.org/patients-family/diagnosis-treatment/emotional-physical-effects/lymphedema.html. Best wishes to you.
What do these exercises do to the body? I was told to do this for my GERD disease but didn't tell how it would affect it.
Hello,
Manual lymph drainage helps mobilize the fluid and direct it to other pathways to reduce swelling.
@@mdanderson thank you
@@mdanderson can this be used for loss of strength in lower body moving upward to shoulders and neck? This person has been bed bound for months now pls help
@@thinkgood7412 We're so sorry to hear this. We encourage you to talk to their care team about your concerns. Best wishes to you.
Does this actually work?
Hi Brian, yes, many patients find relief with this type of massage.
What’s the benefit u get from doing this type of massage?
lauruguayitausa - The reason that your limbs and/or abdomen and/or back and/or head & neck swell is that lymph fluid doesn't circulate like it should. This gentle massage helps the lymph flow improve as the lymph vessels and nodes are attached to the skin and are close to the surface (except for the abdominal nodes, which are deeper and require that deeper touch). In addition, it feels really good and is soothing.
Hi, lymphedema is swelling that occurs when fluid normally drained by the lymph vessels does not flow out of an arm or leg properly. It can occur following cancer treatment. While it can cause discomfort, it may also increase the risk for skin infections. If not treated, the arm or leg can become permanently swollen, hard, and heavy. Massage helps mobilize the fluid and direct it to other pathways. You can learn more here: www.mdanderson.org/patients-family/diagnosis-treatment/emotional-physical-effects/lymphedema.html.
I'm hoping that someone can explain two questions that this video raises:
1. If the lymphedema is in a lower extremity (such as the lower leg), why would any massage need to be done in the neck, armpit or any other area of the trunk? AFAIK, the lymphedema would be in that extremity because of a failure of _that_ part of the physiology to function normally (in returning blood to the heart, and in lifting the lymph back into the system). So it seems to me that massaging the neck would be unrelated to problems in the lower leg.
2. Why is that particular breathing procedure necessary? I mean, sure -- it's always good to do intentional, slow, deep breathing exercises, but what could it possibly have to do with the lymphatic system? It isn't connected to the respiratory system, and is only peripheral to the circulatory system.
1. Lymphedema may accumulate on lower extremities and is very visible but the fact that it is accumulating means that there’s a congestion in the overall lymphatic system. Getting the lymphatic vessels in upper extremities and trunk to drain actively will “make more space” for lower extremity drainage.
2. The usage of abdominal-diaphragmatic breathing assist in movement of lymphatic fluid due to the changes in the intra-abdominal, intra-thoracic pressures. The continuous change of pressure will work like a pump that will move fluids towards the central drainage vessels. Also of course it will help with muscle tension and is integral in overall body relaxation.
As to question 1, the massage is done on the lymphatic system all over your body, not just the affected lymph. It's to move the lymph fluid all over your body. It helps with drainage. As to question 2, breathing is supposed to help with lymphatic fluid flow. Remember, the lymphatic system does not have a pump to move the fluid around like the heart pumps the blood. Hope that helps.
Hi there, here are the answers to your questions:
1. The purpose of manual lymphatic drainage or massage is to decongest the affected area and redirect the lymph fluid from the affected limb towards the healthy portions of your lymphatic system. In order to do this, you need to de-congest the healthy portions of the lymphatic system (i.e: neck; armpit; trunk) first. If you start and simply perform the techniques to the affected limb only, then the healthy portions of the lymphatic system are not able to accommodate for the increased fluid load.
2. Diaphragmatic breathing techniques help stimulate the deep lymphatic system in the abdominal region, which ensures that all healthy portions of your lymphatic system are primed to help decrease the increased fluid load of your affected limb.
@@augustusguy -- thank you.
@@shayy555a -- thank you.
3:43 Thighs down
Nope