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Manual Lymph Drainage/Combined Decongestive Therapy is a non-invasive, painless and very effective therapy for Lymphedema and other related conditions consisting of four basic steps:
Manual Lymph Drainage
MLD is a gentle manual treatment technique which improves the activity of the lymph vessels by mild mechanical stretches on the wall of lymph collectors. MLD re-routes the lymph flow around the blocked areas into more
centrally located lymph vessels that eventually drain into the venous system.
Compression Therapy
Compression therapy increases the tissue pressure and is applied between treatments in order to prevent reaccumulation of lymph fluid. In Phase I of the treatment, compression therapy is applied using short-stretch bandages. In Phase II, compression is applied by custom-made garments which the patient wears daily.
Decongestive Exercises
Carefully guided exercises performed by the patient wearing the compression bandages or garments as well as respiration therapy aid the lymphokinetic effects of the joint and muscle pumps.
Skin Care
Since infections are very common and serious complications of lymphedema, each patient is taught meticulous skin and nail care.
Indications:
Lymphedema
Lymphedema, an accumulation of protein-rich fluid in the superficial tissues, causes swelling in the limbs or body surfaces. Left untreated, it has important pathological and clinical consequences for the patient. MLD and Combined Decongestive Therapy (CDT) is the only effective treatment for this condition, which affects millions of Americans.
Other indications include:
Chronic Venous Insufficiency
Edema following orthopedic traumas and/or surgeries
Post-surgical swelling
Post-traumatic swelling/hematomas
Lipedema, Lipo-Lymphedema
Amputee stump edema
Burns
Sinus Problems
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