Just got a new client that has lymphodema. Her legs are quite severely swollen, and she gets pains in her heel, knees and her IT band is tender to touch. I do deep tissue and holistic massage, and she said she was happy with the pressure etc and felt lighter at the end of the session. I used the usual effleurage and deeper pressure using my forearms,knuckles and thumbs. I am also a reflexologist, but I don't practice reflex as much as I would like. Is there anything else I can do to help this lady?
Refer her to a manual lymphatic drainage practitioner. The legs can be reduced substantially with MLD, especially if the MLD therapist is trained in lymphoedema management. She should also be under the 'care' of an NHS Lymphoedema Clinic - if she isn't, then her GP should refer her. Chances are, if she has been diagnosed with 'lymphoedema' then she is already with a clinic. Deep tissue massage should be avoided on the legs - it is OK on unaffected areas, but not too often. Deep pressure and classic massage can sometimes trigger a reaction in lymphoedema patients - the swelling can get larger, and show up in places that were not originally affected. www.mlduk.org.uk has a list of lymphoedema practitioners.
I did already suggest MLD, but she says she has had it in the past and she didn't get the results she thought she would. She said there were only minor changes and she found it too gentle. She's had liposuction in the past and she said that this has slowed it down, but that was about 7 years ago. She is waiting for an appointment to get it done again at a specialist clinic in Germany and is having massage in the interim until she gets an appointment there. Her job is pretty stressful and has the usual upper back knottiness. So do you think I should just do regular holistic for the time being? Her doctor here in London has told her there isn't really anything they can do, but she find massage helps her manage the pain. She apparently used to have massage done regularly in Switzerland (where she is from) but this was a few years ago, and she found it helped.
Has she got lymphoedema or lipoedema? Liposuction is not generally recommended by lymphologists for reduction of lymphoedema. For either condition, I still wouldn't use deep tissue work on the legs. She may well be going to the Foldi Klinik (not aware there is a waiting list) where she will get MLD on a daily basis, probably twice daily, plus bandaging - they don't use deep techniques. Normal massage will help to alleviate the upper body knottiness. Is she under the 'care' of a lymphoedema clinic? Doesn't sound like it if her doctor says there isn't anything they can do - I hear this so often it makes me want to scream!
Hmmm, I'll double check which condition she has. Thanks for your help and I'll leave out the deep tissue on her legs for her next session.
I just called her, it's lipoedema, not lymphodema. This is what happens when you work through a company and don't have time to do a thorough consultation! I end up getting information while I'm working in cases like these.