Empowering the Patient Community

Looking for information on lymphedema? Where to find treatment? Or just more information? Start here!

The National Lymphedema Network is filled with valuable information for people living with lymphedema,
as well as families and caregivers for those with lymphedema.

What is Lymphedema?

Lymphedema is an abnormal collection of lymphatic fluid in the tissues just beneath the skin. This swelling commonly occurs in the arm or leg, but it may also occur in other body areas including the breast, chest, head and neck, and genitals. Lymphedema develops when a body region, where lymphatic vessels and lymph nodes are missing or impaired, becomes overloaded with lymphatic fluid.

To learn more about lymphedema, diagnosis, treatment, surgical options, and more, click here.

Want to know what you can do now to help avoid or exacerbate lymphedema symptoms? Check out the Healthy Habits resource page.
In addition, the NLN has developed position papers as a resource for those living with lymphedema.

The NLN would also like to invite you to view the 2021 March Awareness videos, where there is an entire month-long series of informational videos on a variety of topics focused towards lymphedema management and education.

Lymphedema Therapy Directory

Connect with therapists and physicians who treat lymphedema, find local lymphedema treatment centers, look up lymphedema training programs, and learn more about lymphedema products from suppliers.

find a therapist

How do I find a therapist who is qualified to perform treatment?

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. The National Lymphedema Network endorses the minimum training and testing that require a clinician participate in at least 135 hours of qualified instructional course in CDT. One-third of these hours should be spent in the classroom learning about the lymphatic system, while two-thirds of the certification is spent in the lab with hands-on training. Please refer to the NLN’s position paper for more information.

Questions to ask when finding a Lymphedema Therapist

Are you a CLT (certified lymphedema therapist)?
How long have you been treating lymphedema?
How long will each treatment last?
How many days a week will I be in treatment?
Who supplies the products for treatments?
Do you provide fitting and purchasing of the compression garments?
Do you include exercise and self-care training in your treatment?

The Lymphedema Advocacy Group is an all-volunteer organization of patients, caregivers, healthcare professionals and industry partners. Their mission is to advance lymphedema care in the United States by advocating for improved access to care for the diagnosis and treatment of the disease. For this purpose, they work to increase awareness of and education about Lymphedema amongst law makers, federal and state agencies, insurance providers, clinicians, and other relevant entities. They support attempts to improve insurance coverage and through both state and federal legislation, as well as though regulatory action and policy decisions, and encourage all members of the lymphedema community to become active participants in this process. If you would like to be involved with the Lymphedema Advocacy Group, please click here.

Compression, Compression, Compression!

The National Lymphedema Network is supported by our amazing partners in the compression industry.

If you would like to learn more about some of the options available for compression, and other resources related to lymphedema,
please visit our sponsor page. There are links to every sponsor’s homepage, which includes a wealth of information on,
not only their products, but even more information on managing lymphedema and related lymphatic disease.

NLN Sponsors