Cellulite

If it is painful, it may be that there is an underlying problem such as lipoedema, which can be intensely painful, and mimmicks the appearance of 'cellulite'. It generally affects women on their thighs, buttocks, hips and can extend through the lower leg to the ankle - the feet are rarely, if ever affected, and the upper body is generally unaffected - although it can affect the upper arms. People with this condition can bruise extremely easily, and often even the slightest knock can cause extreme pain.

Classic massage will be painful, so perhaps MLD (manual lymphatic drainage) would be a better treatment option. In some severe cases, CDT can be used (combined decongestive therapy) - this includes bandaging and MLD done on a daily basis for around 10-20 days. It may not immediately reduce the legs, but it does help to releive the pain and discomfort. Decent compression hosiery may also be helpful.

Hi

Am not qualified in lymphatic drainage, but she just mentioned to me that when she had a massage last the therapist was quite rough and it did hurt her on her legs.

I just really wanted to know a medical reason for it - for e.g. is it because the blood circulation is poor in that area and the lymph is stagnate.

Thank you however for your advice which has been interesting:021:

The lymph isn't generally the problem with someone who has lipoedema - it is still able to move, but very slowly, as the larger adipose cells make it travel further in order to get round! The enlarged adipose cells (fat cells) are what causes the problem, and being just below the skin surface, can be painful on contact either through knocking into something, or with hard massage. If the massage hurt, then I would opt for a different, more forgiving therapy, such as MLD.