Lymphedema management: Manual lymph drainage for lower extremities

Thank you for posting this. I was born with Milroys so I’ve dealt with all my life.

Never heard of this before & found it quite relaxing

Thank you!

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.

Can i use This method for lymphatic drainage massage for both sides affected of lower limbs??

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.

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

Does this manual massage really works? Someone have tried it really and know about this?

Nope

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.

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.

In regards to the lower extremities, wouldn’t it be more effective to work distal to proximal instead of what’s being demonstrated?

GOOD day than9ks S0 MUCH for sharing your time with us..

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.

Does this actually work?

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.

Thank you! Very useful!

why is it ONLY the affected side? what would be negative about doing the massage on unaffected side?

do you have a thyroid goiter or checked it with physician?

What’s the benefit u get from doing this type of massage?

I’ve been massaging my son for over 10 years and just a few months miss, it’s back to square one. So sad.

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

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?

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. :)

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!!

Thank you so much for showing this. This will be really helpful to do at home.

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?