Three case studies indicating the effectiveness of manual lymph drainage on patients with primary and secondary lymphedema using objective measuring tools

The superficial lymphatic system is divided into areas called lymphatic territories which are separated by watersheds. When the lymphatic system fails to remove its load either due to surgery, radiotherapy or some congenital malformation of it then the fluid (and the proteins and wastes contained within it) accumulates in that territory. Anastomotic connections exist across the watersheds and while they can work unaided, manual lymph drainage (MLD) can significantly help drainage across them into unaffected lymphatic territories. MLD also can help the movement of extracellular fluids into the lymph vessels and then along them. The purpose of the study is to examine the effectiveness of a manual technique in moving fluids and softening hardened tissues using three non-invasive examination tools. We examined the movement of fluids from the affected limbs of three lymphedema patients who underwent a standardized 45-min treatment using the Dr Vodder method of M L D. We chose a typical cross section of patients with either a primary leg, secondary leg or secondary arm lymphedema. The arm lymphedema patient was also measured for return of edema over a 30-min period after the conclusion of treatment and underwent a follow-up control measurement, 2 months later without treatment. The tools used were tonometry, multi-frequency bioelectrical impedance and perometry. All three evaluation tools indicated a movement of fluid to different and unblocked lymphatic territories as well as a softening of tissues in some of the affected limbs. Fluid movements were also detected in the contralateral, apparently normal limbs, even though they were not treated. MLD thus is an effective means of fluid clearance when it has accumulated as a consequence of a failure of the lymphatic system. It seems likely that MLD has a systemic effect on the lymphatic system and that it can improve flow from otherwise normal tissues. It is hypothesized that a series of treatments (as is the norm) would result in even more significant improvements.