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During the spring semester I took a sequential art class, where I practiced drawing things like comic strips, story boards, and graphic novels. I saw it as a great opportunity to do something Lymphie-related and soon came up with a … Continue reading
As a Certified Decongestive Therapist trained in manual lymphatic drainage, and a Registered Physiotherapist, I’m often asked by my lymphedema patients why I am so focused on the neck during my lymphatic massage treatments, even when the Lymphedema is presenting in an arm or leg. The reason is simple: there is a huge collection of cervical lymph nodes located in the neck region that can be capitalized upon to stimulate the lymphatic system to improve its overall flow. The number of lymph nodes located in the neck region is approximately 300, far greater than in the armpit, groin, or abdomen, and may represent over half of the total number of lymph nodes in the body. This is not surprising given that it is at the neck where lymphatic fluid rejoins the cardiovascular system via the subclavian vein.
The neck represents a great target for improving overall lymphatic flow, not just because of the total number of lymph nodes present, but also because of the infrequency of functional limitations in the lymphatics at the neck. Patients with Secondary Lymphedema which arises due to radiation to, or removal of, lymph nodes in the armpit region from their breast cancer treatment (for example), typically retain full functional capacity at the neck. Similarly, in the case of Primary Lymphedema, the nodes at the neck typically retain sufficient functional capacity as well.
In manual lymphatic drainage massage, we always begin the massage series with several strokes specific to the neck region, to draw lymphatic fluid from other regions of the body, and send this fluid back into the cardiovascular system. Such stimulation contributes considerably to the results we see with manual lymphatic drainage. We encourage all of our Lymphedema patients, be they Primary or Secondary, to incorporate self-massage of the neck into their daily self-management strategies. The entire series of neck strokes should only take about 5 minutes to perform, and is easy and comfortable to do. A certified Lymphedema therapist would be able to show you the appropriate technique. You can also learn more by visiting our website where we have posted a short video demonstrating lymphatic drainage self-massage at the neck. Best of luck!
Lindsay Davey, PT, MScPT, MSc, CAFCI, CDT
Toronto Physiotherapy
LympheDIVAS have just released their Spring Patterns, and they are gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous. What’s even better is that you can get free shipping on any of these new patterns between now and May 8th – just enter the code MAY12FLOWERS at checkout.
Click on any of the images to be taken to the product page:
What I want to know is when will LympheDIVAS begin making stockings? I’d love to get in on these patterns!
When I was in treatment for my eating disorder, the doctors warned me that I may experience edema as a side effect of the “re-feeding process,” meaning I may have some swelling in addition to the chronic swelling I already had with lymphedema. I was scared, because I thought it would permanently affect my leg – both of them, even – and make things worse. I didn’t realize at the time that edema and lymphedema aren’t necessarily overlapping conditions.
So what exactly delineates the two? Both lymphedema and edema are conditions that involve swelling, but they have different causes and therefore need different treatment. Check out this chart from LymphNotes.com:
| EDEMA | LYMPHEDEMA |
| Edema is the body’s normal response to an injury such as a sprain. As healing progresses, the excess fluid leaves the area and the swelling goes down. | Lymphedema is condition that occurs when the lymphatic system is impaired to the extent that the amount of lymphatic fluid within a given area exceeds the capacity of the lymphatic transport system to remove it. |
| Edema is usually caused by excess tissue fluid that had not yet returned to the circulatory system. | Lymphedema is swelling caused by excess protein-rich lymph trapped within the tissues. |
| Edema due to an injury, such as bumping into something, is caused by additional tissue fluid coming into the area to help with healing. | Lymphedema impaired tissues respond to injury with slow healing and/or a potentially serious infection. |
| Edema is also caused by circulatory system problems, such as chronic venous insufficiency, and this swelling usually occurs in the lower areas of the body. | Lymphedema is caused by damage to the lymphatic system and this swelling occurs near the affected area. |
| Edema swelling does not leave a mark when a finger is pressed into it. This is known as nonpitting edema. | Lymphedema swelling leaves a mark when a finger is pressed into it. This is known as pitting edema. This occurs only in the early stages of lymphedema. |
| Edema due to some causes can be relieved with diuretics. | Lymphedema is harmed, not helped, by treatment with diuretics. |
Chart above is credited to LymphNotes.com.
It’s Wednesday, which means the week is almost over (hooray!). The hot, summery weather of last week has dropped back to the 30 degree chill of a Vermont spring, and it’s gray, gray, gray outside. Blech.
To lighten the mood, my sister emailed me this video the other night, and I’ve probably watched it about seventeen times. It’s the cutest most cheery little thing ever and is sure to help you get through the rest of this dreary week!
Be well, and take care : )
