MLD treats more than just lymphedema

[Dave]

In the article "CDT and MLD Explained" the description about MLD for lymphedema is fine; however, it doesn’t begin to tell the whole story. According to the brochure I received from my lymphedema therapist, MLD is also used to treat:
• Acne
• Burns
• Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
• Fibromyalgia
• Muscle sprains and strains
• Post-surgical swelling such as after cosmetic surgery.
• Scars
• Stress and tension

Instead of just worrying about how come so few doctors know how lymphedema is treated, maybe we should be spreading the word about how manual lymph drainage can also be beneficial in treating other conditions too!
:rolleyes:

[Alma]

I want to add another important condition you can do MLD and that is pre-surgical conditions. Not only before cosmetic surgery, but also before joint replacement surgery. Doing MLD before surgery speeds up wound healing and shortens rehab time.

Alma

[Mohamed Attar]

I am using manual drainage, massage, daily in the morning before waring my stuff. I keep doing jogging and swimming and my hand has improved a lot since it swelled two years ago after radiation therapy. I am ready to help and give ideas to patients with lymphodema problems.

[Yahya]

Hi all,

This is my first post here; last Tuesday, a specialist at the Mercy Hospital's Lymphoedema Clinic (in East Melbourne, Victoria, Australia) recommended I try out Lymphnotes. I'm very impressed by this site, and by people's stories and sharing. Thank you all! :)

By way of introduction, I'll tell you the whole story. (Hmmm, is that ever possible? ;))

I'd been waiting months to see the specialist. I was diagnosed with "Idiopathic Lymphoedema" (that's a primary LE, I think) back in February, by another specialist (in CFS), after years of sore feet and swelling, particularly in the feet, ankles and groin, that became worse when I fell ill with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) and thyroiditis late in 2002. Now she has ordered more tests and a review in a month. Looks like I will finally get some instruction in MLD or SLD, despite having been asking about it for months.

I am very heartened by the possibility that MLD may help reduce the effects of the CFS as well as the LE! Because of the CFS, I can rarely find the energy to drive to the salt pool at the gym - and it's only 1 km (5/8 of a mile, or 1100 yards) away! :( It's now two weeks since I visited it; tho every time I do, walking in the water for half an hour, and swimming a little, does help a lot. The car battery may be flat the next time I'm ready to go!

I'm working from home, at the computer, for up to 3 hours a day, and unable to drive any great distance (eg to my city office 19 km away). Usually I sleep or rest the rest of the day. Sometimes, like today, I manage to walk around the block, about 1 km.

My present inactivity is really very trying to me, and I still haven't got used to it after three and a half years, because I was always very active, running an hour most mornings, walking an hour at lunchtime, swimming, dancing and doing strength training two or three times a week each - as well as doing a full day's work, then staying up late reading, writing and making music! ;) But now I have to sleep at least 9 hours a day, often much longer. Oh yes, my weight has increased from 82 to 103 kgs (184 to 231 lbs, or 13.1 to 16.5 stones) in the last two years :(

These are the things I'm doing at present to try to manage the CFS and LE:

Sleep and wake at regular times;
Gentle exercise every day;
Reduce weight, by reducing food intake by one-sixth, using smaller portions, less fat, fewer grain and nut foods, more fresh vegetables, fruit and fish;
Keep hydrated - I carry water everywhere, and sip continually;
Keep cool (but not cold);
Wear comfortable clothing;
Wear compression garments - my wife helps me put on the waist-high Levia70 compression pantyhose & knee-high stockings I now wear - which one depends on how bad the swelling is and how much pressure I can stand (usually not much).


Does anyone have any tips on other useful things I could be doing? (And thank you for reading this far!)

[parvatistone]

I also believe that MLD is great for detoxifiying the body. :)

[cici]

hi yahya,
as well as this wonderful site for information, the Lymphedema Association of Australia's website is great http://www.lymphoedema.org.au/
Have you been able to contact an MLD therapist with regard to getting treatment?
You seem to be on the right track with the methods you have tried. Maybe a course of intensive treatment would kick-start the process?
i'm in ireland, but very interested to hear that you've attended a lymphoedema clinic over there.
hope you are doing well!