Lymphedema Therapy

Complete Decongestive Therapy, sometimes referred to as CDT, is the gold standard of care for lymphedema therapy. Treatment is performed by a trained physical, occupational, or massage therapist, and can also be performed by a trained nurse or doctor.

This type of treatment includes both a treatment phase and a maintenance, or self-care, phase. The treatment phase should consist of regular therapy sessions, with the recommended frequency of 5 days a week for several weeks, that include the following components of CDT.

Find a Lymphedema Therapist in Your Area

Manual Lymph Drainage (MLD)

Manual Lymph Drainage (MLD) is a specialized form of massage that stimulates the lymphatic system to improve its ability to absorb and transport fluid. MLD uses a light skin stretching technique to stimulate healthy lymphatic vessels and to enable decongestion of swollen body regions.

Multi-layered Short Stretch Compression Bandaging

Multi-layered Short Stretch Compression Bandaging is applied following the MLD treatment. Bandages increase tissue pressure and assist with the absorption and transport of lymphatic fluid from the limb and into the normal circulation. These bandages provide support and comfort when the limb is at rest and facilitate gentle pumping pressures when the limb is moving. Movement and gentle exercise are recommended when the limb is bandaged to enhance decongestion of the limb.

Education on Skin Care and Risk Reduction

Proper skin care promotes healthy tissue and can prevent skin breakdown and infections in the affected tissues. Skin care should include moisturizing the tissue, keeping it clean, and attending to small cuts to prevent infections or chronic wounds.

Exercise and Home Exercise Training

Exercise and training for a home exercise program is incorporated in both phases of treatment and self-care. These exercises are low intensity and repetitive and should be done with compression bandages on the limb. The exercises encourage gentle muscle pumping, which aids the absorption and transport of the lymphatic fluid out of the limb.

New research suggests that exercise is not only safe for individuals with lymphedema, it is encouraged to help improve limb volume, build muscle strength, and promote a healthy lifestyle.

Compression Garment Fitting and Training

Compression garments are the primary mode of compression therapy in self-care. Garments play a key role in maintaining the results achieved with skilled therapy. Compression garments need to be fit with the correct size and proper pressure based on the individual’s condition, severity of swelling, and physical ability.

Garments are available for any body region and can be ready-made in various sizes or custom-made. Pressure ranges for compression garments are variable and should be recommended by a trained therapist or garment fitter.

Intermittent Pneumatic Compression Therapy (IPC)

Intermittent Pneumatic Compression Therapy (IPC) is a supportive intervention for some individuals going through CDT treatment. IPC involves a pneumatic sleeve being applied to the limb which inflates and deflates sequentially, applying pressure to encourage fluid absorption and decongestion in the limb. IPC can be used in both treatment and self-care phases.

Various types of pneumatic pumps exist to treat lymphedema. Selection and use of IPC should be done in consultation with a trained therapist or fitter.

Additional education and instruction for self-care activities help improve a person’s independence with long-term management of lymphedema. The maintenance, or self-care, phase, begins during regular therapeutic intervention and continues upon discharge from skilled treatment.

This includes:

• Self-MLD (Manual Lymphatic Drainage)
• Consistent compression garment and/or bandaging
• Regular exercise
• Meticulous skin care
• Regular follow-up visits with your medical provider and/or therapist

To learn more, watch the videos below.