Manual Lymphatic Drain Method

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!