Lymphedema Management

The standard treatment for lymphedema is lymphatic massage and compression under the guidance of a physical therapist specifically trained in lymphedema management. There is no question that is the most effective treatment. In addition, there is one trial that was conducted in France and published in 1996 which demonstrates some efficacy using an extract of Ruscus (Butcher’s Broom) and Hesperidin Methyl Chalcone ( a citrus flavonoid) called CYCLO 3 FORT. In that trial all 57 patients received manual lymphatic drainage (lymphatic massage) and the patients that received CYCLO 3 FORT had less edema at the end of 3 months. Butcher’s Broom can cause diarrhea. The standard treatment for lymphedema is lymphatic massage and compression under the guidance of a physical therapist specifically trained in lymphedema management. There is no question that is the most effective treatment. In addition, there is one trial that was conducted in France and published in 1996 which demonstrates some efficacy using an extract of Ruscus (Butcher’s Broom) and Hesperidin Methyl Chalcone ( a citrus flavonoid) called CYCLO 3 FORT. In that trial all 57 patients received manual lymphatic drainage (lymphatic massage) and the patients that received CYCLO 3 FORT had less edema at the end of 3 months. Butcher’s Broom can cause diarrhea.

Would love to! Tips for managing lymphedema (mainly for lower-extremity, but can also apply to arms)

1. Learn Vodder (MLD) massage method to help move fluid. You stay stronger, healthier, and...It will save your mind!
2. Keep your body clean and dry always.
3. After a shower (I don't recommend a bath; dirty water) dry off using a blow-dryer -(with a heat-control switch) to dry hair around groin area. Don't let get too warm here. (Reason: bacteria loves moisture).
4. Pay particular attention to foot care. Keep toe nails clean and clipped.
5. I use Sea Breeze on my toe nails, and moisturize with Clinique (yellow) Dramatically Different Moisturinzing lotion (it has salicytic acid in it-normally for face break-outs, it does something to keep the nails healthy.
(This advice is only if your feet are in general good health to begin with)
Otherwise, start with plain, non-scented soap and water and moisturizer. Moisturizers are different than water. After cleansing, they provide a "barrier" to the skin.
These steps are hugely important when wearing "compression garments". You don't need to put garments on over a dirty body. Skin infections are hard to heal on an affected limb. Prevention is key here.
6. Keep compression garments clean. Since they are right next to your skin, when clean, they can absorb sweat, and if dirty they will promote infection.
7. Keeping the legs or arm elevated when resting is a must. I sleep with a foam wedge under my legs. Do whatever you can to help stop the pull of gravity on them- the limb(s) need to be at a level above your heart.
8. If you work, take breaks every 30 min. to hour if you can. Moving around is good. When sitting, move your ankles in circular motions. Ask your boss for special privilege. Explain your issue with your manager.
9. Stay calm. The more fretful you get about things, the worse your lymphatic system will act. Talk it out, pray or meditate-whatever it takes.
10. Eat pure, fresh, whole foods as much as is within your means. Processed foods, and salt additives wreak havoc on lymphedema.
Would love to! Tips for managing lymphedema (mainly for lower-extremity, but can also apply to arms)

1. Learn Vodder (MLD) massage method to help move fluid. You stay stronger, healthier, and...It will save your mind!
2. Keep your body clean and dry always.
3. After a shower (I don't recommend a bath; dirty water) dry off using a blow-dryer -(with a heat-control switch) to dry hair around groin area. Don't let get too warm here. (Reason: bacteria loves moisture).
4. Pay particular attention to foot care. Keep toe nails clean and clipped.
5. I use Sea Breeze on my toe nails, and moisturize with Clinique (yellow) Dramatically Different Moisturinzing lotion (it has salicytic acid in it-normally for face break-outs, it does something to keep the nails healthy.
(This advice is only if your feet are in general good health to begin with)
Otherwise, start with plain, non-scented soap and water and moisturizer. Moisturizers are different than water. After cleansing, they provide a "barrier" to the skin.
These steps are hugely important when wearing "compression garments". You don't need to put garments on over a dirty body. Skin infections are hard to heal on an affected limb. Prevention is key here.
6. Keep compression garments clean. Since they are right next to your skin, when clean, they can absorb sweat, and if dirty they will promote infection.
7. Keeping the legs or arm elevated when resting is a must. I sleep with a foam wedge under my legs. Do whatever you can to help stop the pull of gravity on them- the limb(s) need to be at a level above your heart.
8. If you work, take breaks every 30 min. to hour if you can. Moving around is good. When sitting, move your ankles in circular motions. Ask your boss for special privilege. Explain your issue with your manager.
9. Stay calm. The more fretful you get about things, the worse your lymphatic system will act. Talk it out, pray or meditate-whatever it takes.
10. Eat pure, fresh, whole foods as much as is within your means. Processed foods, and salt additives wreak havoc on lymphedema.

I would love to. Vodder (German) Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) method is a fantastic, non-invasive way to move(decongest engorged vessels) lymphedema.

Light massage (with bare hands) is used first to massage clusters of "healthy, working lymph glands". On me, these are under my armpits, and along the sides, and on the frontal part of my torso (my upper body).

When I massage these good parts, they become "active" and "get moving" to allow the bottom part of my lymphatic system (which stays sluggish from scarring and hurt from radiation) to "move". In other words, it's kind of like a train car stopped on a track. No other trains can keep going, if this one disabled "car" won't move on. Or, like a stream that has a log in it causing it to be backed up, upstream. Same concept.

In clinic, once the fluid gets moving, a "wrap" method is usually done. It involves stretchy Ace-type bandages. It puts "pressure" on the limbs affected to encourage even more movement once the lymphatics are "awake"-so to speak. However, this part of the treatment must be done by trained professional (as should the other), because wrong wrapping can actually DAMAGE delicate lymph vessels, and can disrupt "blood pressure". The lymphatic system (a person's waterway) and blood system are inter-connected.

I cannot "wrap" myself, even though they taught me. A person must keep their limb (legs or arm) up above gravity while in treatment (above the heart) or it just does no good. It's really hard to do that part myself, so I just do the massage, and use the compression garments to keep it maintained.

It's an excellent method, and I would recommend it to anyone. I would not use another myself. I have been in touch with the man who runs the Vodder School over in Germany, and asked him if any US physicians had contacted him to be educated about it, and he said that "No- unfortunately physicicans in the US have been slow to catch on." (which is an understatement in my opinion) I don't understand why- it perplexes me.

The Vodder team does have teaching clinics here though, alot in Florida.

Learning to maintain the lymphedema saved my mind. At times I felt like it would "drown me". Getting control of it was a definite plus for me! I would love to. Vodder (German) Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) method is a fantastic, non-invasive way to move(decongest engorged vessels) lymphedema.

Light massage (with bare hands) is used first to massage clusters of "healthy, working lymph glands". On me, these are under my armpits, and along the sides, and on the frontal part of my torso (my upper body).

When I massage these good parts, they become "active" and "get moving" to allow the bottom part of my lymphatic system (which stays sluggish from scarring and hurt from radiation) to "move". In other words, it's kind of like a train car stopped on a track. No other trains can keep going, if this one disabled "car" won't move on. Or, like a stream that has a log in it causing it to be backed up, upstream. Same concept.

In clinic, once the fluid gets moving, a "wrap" method is usually done. It involves stretchy Ace-type bandages. It puts "pressure" on the limbs affected to encourage even more movement once the lymphatics are "awake"-so to speak. However, this part of the treatment must be done by trained professional (as should the other), because wrong wrapping can actually DAMAGE delicate lymph vessels, and can disrupt "blood pressure". The lymphatic system (a person's waterway) and blood system are inter-connected.

I cannot "wrap" myself, even though they taught me. A person must keep their limb (legs or arm) up above gravity while in treatment (above the heart) or it just does no good. It's really hard to do that part myself, so I just do the massage, and use the compression garments to keep it maintained.

It's an excellent method, and I would recommend it to anyone. I would not use another myself. I have been in touch with the man who runs the Vodder School over in Germany, and asked him if any US physicians had contacted him to be educated about it, and he said that "No- unfortunately physicicans in the US have been slow to catch on." (which is an understatement in my opinion) I don't understand why- it perplexes me.

The Vodder team does have teaching clinics here though, alot in Florida.

Learning to maintain the lymphedema saved my mind. At times I felt like it would "drown me". Getting control of it was a definite plus for me!