lymphoedema
Read expert articles, clinical research, and training insights on lymphoedema from Moving Lymph.
Critical appraisal skills - the missing link for Therapists
The demand for level 1 studies is largely driven by academic needs, rather than tangible, clinically relevant outcomes.
Applied MLD, more than just lymphoedema
Dr Vodder's Applied MLD can effectively treat many of the common co-morbidities that impact on lymphoedema treatment. Using safe, pain free methods to address musculoskeletal issues, autoimmune diseases, digestive and respiratory issues can reduce overall inflammation, increase mobility and contribute to better outcomes in Lymphoedema reduction and management.
Measuring clinically relevant outcomes
An easy - and free - way for therapists to assess clinical progress is to use an analogue scale.This can be a numeric scale such as the one developed in 1932 by Rensis Likert (1) to measure attitudes. Typically a 5- or 7-point ordinal scale, respondents rate the degree to which they agree or disagree with a statement. It is essentially a rating scale, usually presented as a score between 1 - 5 or 1 - 10, where the person selects the number to reflect the perceived quality of a product or servic
Using ICG to image the effects of MLD
What ICG fluoroscopy can't tell us, is what is happening in the deep system, nor the systemic effects of MLD which were shown by Heutzschenr
Another disappointing SR that fails to tell us anything new 😖
Systematic reviews are an academic exercise to ‘systemically review’ the existing literature on a particular research question. They are ...
Why Elastic Tape Is a Game Changer for Phase 2 Lymphoedema Management
Evidence for the effectiveness of elastic taping as an adjunct in Lymphatic Therapies is also growing, and the most recent Systematic Review (SR) on elastic taping in lymphoedema management supports our collective clinical observations, and confirms that lymph taping is a vital option for people who have trouble applying traditional compression therapies.
From Manila to Perth and Back
Adrian first became interested in lymphoedema management when his Grandmother suffered with swelling later in life. As a Physio, and appalle
Lymphoedema in Rural Bangladesh
My main role at the Centre for Neglected Tropical Diseases #CNTD - so far - has been to design and implement a study to see if we can improve on self-management for people affected by moderate to severe #LymphaticFilariasis and #Podoconiosis related #lymphoedema. And after almost a year of planning we started data-collection in Nilphamari District in north west Bangladesh at the beginning of October. Back at the beginning of my PhD research I conducted a systematic review on self-management fo
Lymphoscintigraphy guided MLD
It's exciting how much imaging is going on in the lymph system these days! And with this paper on lymphoscintigraphy guided MLD (1) I can see a future where we will be able to combine systems to create a 3D map of everyone's lymphatic system and know exactly where the open pathways are.
MLD & the mechanics of skin-health
We can now link the very precise stretch and shear forces created by the original Dr Vodder method to the formation of new lymph vessels and the pathway of the pre-lymphatic channels, tissue healing on a molecular level and restoring the properties of the connective tissue fibres and skin-health.
Shedding light on fluorescent imaging
Also called near-infrared fluorescence imaging (NIRFI) or near-infrared fluorescence lymphatic imaging (NIRFLI) the technique uses a very sm
Keeping up to date in the fast moving world of lymphatics
Research on #lymphatic_physiology has advanced in leaps and bounds. #Lymph_nodes are no longer passive filtering stations, rather the very walls of the nodes are controlling some immune interactions. #Lymph_vessels are not just a system of pumping units, we now know that the #endothelial_cells are actively checking...
Lymph Taping update - the debate on replacing #compression with #lymphtaping continues
Could the inclusion of waving equidistant tapes over a large area of unaffected skin account for the better results observed during taping?
Lymphatic endothelial cells, so much more to know!
The study looked at how the lymphatic endothelia cells behave when there is tissue hypoxia, so there are three interesting things here. How
Why I dislike 'keto'
... not surprising when you consider the strong links between lymphatic disease and fat disorders, they are reciprocal risk factors for each
LKN Foundation launches during #LymphoedemaAwarenessMonth
By now I knew that I was never going to be in a financial position to volunteer large chunks of my time to work in LF-endemic countries, so
Its never too early to start MLD
Thompson et al, found evidence for MLD to prevent onset in early breast cancer patients and to reduce arm volume in early stage lymphoedema
What is the best measure for lymphoedema?
There has been a lot of discussion lately around systematic reviews and RCTs on the effectiveness of MLD in our treatment mix. Measuring tre
How to write a case study and why we need them
Randomised controlled trials are not suited to assessing the effectiveness of treatment of lymphoedema and other chronic diseases.
Inflammation and fibrosis in lymphoedema. What's really going on and does MLD help?
While there are multiple studies showing that MLD & CDT reduce the symptoms of inflammation and can reverse some fibrotic changes, there is
Almost all women treated for vulvar cancer will have symptoms of lymphoedema in the first 2 years
One of the most important things about this study is that it used self-reported-symptoms (SRS) to determine if lymphoedema was present,...
How do new discoveries in lymphology influence our clinical practice?
Across two decades of teaching therapists how to interact with lymphatics through MLD and Lymph Taping, I have witnessed an explosion in research on lymphatic function and disease.Some observed truths have been completely reversed,like the advice around exercise for people affected by lymphedema. Once it was shown that any post-exercise swelling is temporary, and that overall people who exercise have better lymphedema outcomes than those who don't, our advice did a big 180 turn from don’t overlo
Lymphoedema in Rural Ethiopia
The study I am involved with through #CNTD on enhanced #self_care for people affected by moderate to severe #LymphaticFilariasis and #Podoconiosis related #lymphoedema has started in Ethiopia. We recruited our participants in November and then did a four-week follow-up in early December. The study methods are the same as in Bangladesh (see the post Lymphoedema in Rural Bangladesh), but the two countries and the patients are worlds apart.Access issues in Bangladesh were mainly due to roads and wa
A Pressing Matter: What is the Right Pressure in Lymphatic Massage?
The reality is that effective lymphoedema management demands an individualised approach. One that takes into consideration the progressive nature of lymphoedema, and delivers a nuanced application of MLD appropriate to the presentation, and a tailored self-care program designed to deliver optimal outcomes for the investment made in time, effort, and family resources that lymphoedema inevitably requires.
Doing Good or Doing Harm: The Pitfalls of Compression Therapy in Lymphoedema Management.
Lymphoedema is a daily challenge, even for those with access to the best specialty care. For most, poverty, ignorance and stigma with amply these challenges. #LymphoedemaTherapists are not well placed to address world poverty, but we can make a considerable contribution to raising awareness by spreading quality information wherever we can.
Lavender Essential Oil, Inflammation and MLD: Synergistic opportunities in Lymphoedema Prevention.
Explore how Lavender essential oil can reduce inflammation and support lymphoedema prevention. Discover Lavender's potent synergy with MLD.
Revised Starling Equilibrium and the Endothelial Glycocalyx: Why Are We Still Getting This Wrong?
Groundbreaking evidence that changed our fundamental understanding of fluid dynamics at the capillary was published in 1999 (1), However, the 'old' model, where most interstitial fluid was thought to be resorbed at the venous end of the capillary, is still being taught in most lymphatic programs, and even Chat GPT gets it wrong! This post reviews the Starling Equilibrium and the Endothelial Glycocalyx and highlights the importance of understanding fluid dynamics in lymphedema management.
Why Lymph Flow Matters: Human Skin Lymphatics, Tissue Health, and the Power of MLD
Explore the cellular science behind MLD. Learn how human dermal lymphatics differ from mouse models and how manual therapy reverses tissue hypoxia and ECM fibrosis.
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