Various parts of the body will receive soft stroking massageLymphatic drainage massage LDM
Introduction
The treatment of lymphedema is based on an understanding of how the lymphatic system works. Therapists must understand this system in depth. Patients, and others involved in self-care steps, need to have at least a basic understanding of these functions. It is this basic level of understanding that is presented here.
The functioning of the lymphatic system is closely related to that of the circulatory system. To understand more about how these systems differ,
The Origin of Lymph
Introduction
The treatment of lymphedema is based on an understanding of how the lymphatic system works. Therapists must understand this system in depth. Patients, and others involved in self-care steps, need to have at least a basic understanding of these functions. It is this basic level of understanding that is presented here.
The functioning of the lymphatic system is closely related to that of the circulatory system. To understand more about how these systems differ,
The Origin of Lymph
Lymph originates as blood plasma. The plasma of arterial blood is rich in “groceries” for the cells. In the capillary beds throughout the body the flow of blood is slowed so that plasma can leave and become tissue fluid. Tissue fluid is also known as intercellular fluid or interstitial fluid.
Tissue fluid delivers the nutrients, oxygen, and hormones required by the cells.
Tissue fluid collects and carries away some cellular waste products.
90 percent of the tissue fluid returns to the capillary bed. Here it again becomes
plasma and continues its journey throughout the body as part of the venous circulation.
Lymph is the 10 percent of the tissue fluid that is left behind. Normally the amount of lymph circulating in the body is one to two quarts and it makes
Tissue fluid delivers the nutrients, oxygen, and hormones required by the cells.
Tissue fluid collects and carries away some cellular waste products.
90 percent of the tissue fluid returns to the capillary bed. Here it again becomes
plasma and continues its journey throughout the body as part of the venous circulation.
Lymph is the 10 percent of the tissue fluid that is left behind. Normally the amount of lymph circulating in the body is one to two quarts and it makes
The Role of Lymph
The role of tissue fluid is to deliver the groceries to the cells. The role of lymph is to take out the trash that is left behind and to dispose of it.
As lymph continues to circulate between the cells it collects waste products that were left behind including dead blood cells, pathogens, and cancer cells. This clear fluid also becomes protein-rich as it absorbs dissolved protein from between the cells.
Lymphatic Capillaries
The lymphatic capillaries form a mesh-like network of tiny tubes that are distributed throughout the tissue spaces and are located just under the skin. These capillaries branch and interconnect freely so that they extend into almost all tissues.
Lymph capillaries are blind-ended tubes with no opening to allow the lymph easy access. The end of the capillary is only one-cell in thickness and these cells are arranged in a slightly overlapping pattern – like the shingles on a roof.
Pressure from the fluid surrounding the capillary forces these cells to separate for a moment. This allows fluid to enter, but not to leave, the capillary.
There are one-way valves within the lymphatic capillaries. These valves ensure the continued flow of the lymph away from the tissues.
Lymph Nodes
As lymph continues to circulate between the cells it collects waste products that were left behind including dead blood cells, pathogens, and cancer cells. This clear fluid also becomes protein-rich as it absorbs dissolved protein from between the cells.
Lymphatic Capillaries
The lymphatic capillaries form a mesh-like network of tiny tubes that are distributed throughout the tissue spaces and are located just under the skin. These capillaries branch and interconnect freely so that they extend into almost all tissues.
Lymph capillaries are blind-ended tubes with no opening to allow the lymph easy access. The end of the capillary is only one-cell in thickness and these cells are arranged in a slightly overlapping pattern – like the shingles on a roof.
Pressure from the fluid surrounding the capillary forces these cells to separate for a moment. This allows fluid to enter, but not to leave, the capillary.
There are one-way valves within the lymphatic capillaries. These valves ensure the continued flow of the lymph away from the tissues.
Lymph Nodes
At birth there are between 600-700 lymph nodes present in the average human. Although these nodes can increase or decrease in size thoughout life, any nodes that have been damaged or destroyed, do not regenerate.
Afferent lymphatic vessels carry lymph into the nodes where waste products and some of the fluid are filtered out.
Lymphocytes, which are specialized white blood cells located within the lymph node, kill pathogens that may be present. Lymph nodes also trap cancer cells and slow the spread of the cancer until they are overwhelmed by it.
Efferent lymphatic vessels carry lymph out of the node to continue its return to the circulatory system.
Cancer cells that have left their original site travel first to nearby lymph nodes. For this reason lymph nodes play an important role in the detection and treatment of cancer.
The lymphatic system is known to be responsible for the protection of the human body from bacterial infections particularly those inflicted through the damaged skin.
Pathogens can set up infections anywhere in the body. However, lymphocytes will meet the antigens in the peripheral lymphoid organs, which include lymph nodes. The antigens are displayed by specialized cells in the lymph nodes. Naive lymphocytes (meaning the cells have not encountered an antigen yet) enter the node from the bloodstream through specialized capillary venules. After the lymphocytes specialize they will exit the lymph node through the efferent lymphatic vessel with the rest of the lymph. The lymphocytes continuously recirculate the peripheral lymphoid organs and the state of the lymph nodes depends on infection. During an infection the lymph nodes can expand due to intense B-cell proliferation in the germinal centers, this is commonly referred to as swollen glands.
History
Afferent lymphatic vessels carry lymph into the nodes where waste products and some of the fluid are filtered out.
Lymphocytes, which are specialized white blood cells located within the lymph node, kill pathogens that may be present. Lymph nodes also trap cancer cells and slow the spread of the cancer until they are overwhelmed by it.
Efferent lymphatic vessels carry lymph out of the node to continue its return to the circulatory system.
Cancer cells that have left their original site travel first to nearby lymph nodes. For this reason lymph nodes play an important role in the detection and treatment of cancer.
The lymphatic system is known to be responsible for the protection of the human body from bacterial infections particularly those inflicted through the damaged skin.
Pathogens can set up infections anywhere in the body. However, lymphocytes will meet the antigens in the peripheral lymphoid organs, which include lymph nodes. The antigens are displayed by specialized cells in the lymph nodes. Naive lymphocytes (meaning the cells have not encountered an antigen yet) enter the node from the bloodstream through specialized capillary venules. After the lymphocytes specialize they will exit the lymph node through the efferent lymphatic vessel with the rest of the lymph. The lymphocytes continuously recirculate the peripheral lymphoid organs and the state of the lymph nodes depends on infection. During an infection the lymph nodes can expand due to intense B-cell proliferation in the germinal centers, this is commonly referred to as swollen glands.
History
Massages have been found in many ancient civilizations including Rome, Greece, Japan, China, Egypt, Mesopotamia and India.
It is now recognized in Europe as one of the treatments for oedemas.
Manual lymphatic drainage (MLD)
A very specialized type of massage called manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) is an important part of the treatment of lymphoedema. To be effective in treating lymphoedema, it is important to use the correct technique. The aim of the massage is to stimulate or move the excess fluid away from the swollen area so that it can drain away normally. Massage also encourages and improves drainage in the healthy lymphatics (which helps keep fluid away from swollen areas).
Manual lymphatic drainage differs from ordinary massage - it is very gentle and aims to encourage movement of lymph away from swollen areas. MLD is particularly useful if there is swelling in the face, breast, abdomen, genitals or elsewhere on the trunk.
Manual Lymph Drainage
It is now recognized in Europe as one of the treatments for oedemas.
Manual lymphatic drainage (MLD)
A very specialized type of massage called manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) is an important part of the treatment of lymphoedema. To be effective in treating lymphoedema, it is important to use the correct technique. The aim of the massage is to stimulate or move the excess fluid away from the swollen area so that it can drain away normally. Massage also encourages and improves drainage in the healthy lymphatics (which helps keep fluid away from swollen areas).
Manual lymphatic drainage differs from ordinary massage - it is very gentle and aims to encourage movement of lymph away from swollen areas. MLD is particularly useful if there is swelling in the face, breast, abdomen, genitals or elsewhere on the trunk.
Manual Lymph Drainage
Manual lymph drainage (MLD) is commonly referred to as M-L-D. This specialized massage technique is performed by the lymphoedema therapist to stimulate the flow of lymph from the affected area. MLD is based on specialized manual techniques that have been used successfully in Europe since the 1930’s. As shown in this illustration, MLD is a gentle and pleasant treatment.
Massage is the treatment and practice of soft tissue manipulation with physical, functional, and in some cases psychological purposes and goals
Light sweeping MLD movements encourage the flow of lymph into the lymphatic capillaries that are located just under the skin.
Stronger MLD strokes cause the lymph to flow into the lymphatic vessels deeper within the tissues.
Specialized stronger MLD movements are also performed to soften fibrotic tissues.
The MLD portion of the treatment session usually lasts from 30 to 60 minutes, depending on the size of the limb(s), the severity of the symptoms, and the amount of fibrosis.
Side benefits are: relaxation, unwinding from strain, improved immunity, reduction of blood pressure, reduction of sub clinical depression.
Contraindications for MLD
Massage is the treatment and practice of soft tissue manipulation with physical, functional, and in some cases psychological purposes and goals
Light sweeping MLD movements encourage the flow of lymph into the lymphatic capillaries that are located just under the skin.
Stronger MLD strokes cause the lymph to flow into the lymphatic vessels deeper within the tissues.
Specialized stronger MLD movements are also performed to soften fibrotic tissues.
The MLD portion of the treatment session usually lasts from 30 to 60 minutes, depending on the size of the limb(s), the severity of the symptoms, and the amount of fibrosis.
Side benefits are: relaxation, unwinding from strain, improved immunity, reduction of blood pressure, reduction of sub clinical depression.
Contraindications for MLD
If potential contraindications are present, the therapist may consult the patient’s physician before an MLD treatment is provided. MLD should not be performed if any of the following conditions are present or are suspected:
Cellulitis or any other acute infection.
Fever or other indications of a developing infection.
Deep vein thrombosis, bleeding disorders or taking blood thinner such as wafarin, damaged blood vessels, weakened bones from cancer,osteoporosis, or fracture, and fever.
Cellulitis or any other acute infection.
Fever or other indications of a developing infection.
Deep vein thrombosis, bleeding disorders or taking blood thinner such as wafarin, damaged blood vessels, weakened bones from cancer,osteoporosis, or fracture, and fever.
Heart failure, or other cardiac condition.
Any other major health problems that are not under control unless this treatment has been approved by the patient’s physician.
Some women find deep abdominal massage to be uncomfortable during their menstrual period and, for some, it increases the flow. If this type of massage is part of your treatment, be certain to tell your therapist when you are menstruating.
Any other major health problems that are not under control unless this treatment has been approved by the patient’s physician.
Some women find deep abdominal massage to be uncomfortable during their menstrual period and, for some, it increases the flow. If this type of massage is part of your treatment, be certain to tell your therapist when you are menstruating.
Alert
The patient can expect an increased need to urinate soon after a treatment and for several hours thereafter. This occurs because the excess fluids that were moved from the tissues have now been processed by the kidneys and are ready to be excreted as urine.
It is important that the patient drink plenty of water after an MLD session to replenish the fluids that were mobilized by this treatment.
Home Nursing Providers has now trained lymphoedema therapists, both male and female. They offer the service to the patient’s residence.
For further enquiries you may contact:
It is important that the patient drink plenty of water after an MLD session to replenish the fluids that were mobilized by this treatment.
Home Nursing Providers has now trained lymphoedema therapists, both male and female. They offer the service to the patient’s residence.
For further enquiries you may contact:
HOME NURSING PROVIDERS, MOBILE NURSING or MOBILE DOCTOR
Tel: 06 03 78777202
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