You will find lots of helpful information about the lymphatic system, the Dr. Vodder method which is the foundation of all manual lymphatic therapies and lots of other helpful information related to Manual Lymph Drainage.

What is Manual Lymph Drainage?
Developed in Europe in the 1930's by Dr. Emil  and Estrid Vodder, Manual Lymph Drainage (MLD) is a safe, effective yet gentle approach to cleansing the body's tissues and also has a detoxifying effect. It can benefit a healthy person as well as be applied to more than 60 different conditions. 

Scientific studies, as well as vast clinical experience, have supported the effectiveness of MLD.

The therapeutic benefits of MLD, evidenced by more than 30 years of research, are well documented. It is widely prescribed by physicians in Europe and many physicians in the United States and Canada also recognize the benefits of MLD for their patients.

Benefits of Manual Lymph Draniage

• Removes metabolic wastes, excess water, toxins, bacteria large protein molecules and foreign substances from the tissues.
  
  
• Through its gentle rhythmical precise hand movements, alleviates pain by greatly reducing the pain signals sent to the brain.
  
  
• Relaxes the sympathetic nervous system, thus helping to relieve stress. 
  
  
• Supports and enhances the action of the immune system. 
  
  
• Helps the body to heal more quickly from injuries, surgical trauma, chronic conditions, and edema.
  
  
• Helps to minimize scar formation.

Indications for MLD

Lymph and the Lymphatic System
Nutrients entering our bodies are transported by arteries and capillaries to tissue cells which are surrounded by interstitial fluid. The nutrients must pass through this fluid before reaching the cells. After metabolism, the cells return waste products back into the fluid for removal by a system of lymphatic vessels

The blood capillaries only resorb gases (mainly carbon dioxide), water (plasma), and small molecular substances. The lymphatic vessel system must drain the interstitial fluid of everything else.  This includes the water (plasma) not resorbed by the venous reflow, plus unusable or waste matter such as proteins, bacteria, long chain fats, dust (from coal and glass), dyes, dead cells and cell parts, mutant cells, etc. These substances are considered to be Lymph Obligatory Load (LOL). Once the LOL enters the Lymphatic system it is called lymph. Lymph is then transported through the lymphatic system to lymph nodes where it is filtered and cleaned before returning to the blood circulation system. Since the lymphatic vessel system has no pump (heart) of its own, movement of lymph is accomplished through a combination of forces, including good diaphragmatic breathing, arterial pulsation, skeletal muscle contractions, and peristaltic (intestinal) contractions.

If the lymphatic system fails, or is impaired due to surgery, radiation, disease, or trauma, swelling can occur in the interstitial spaces increasing the the distance between capillaries and cells. If the proper drainage does not occur, cells are exposed to and undernourished, toxic environment. Disease can be the result.

What is Lymphedema?
Lymphedema is a swelling of a body part, most often an extremity (arm or leg), resulting from an accumulation of fluids, in such proportions to be palpable (one can feel it) and visible. Lymphedema occurs when the lymph vascular system is not able to perform its function of resorbstion and transport of the protein and lymph load. Lymphedema occurs whenever lymphatic vessels are absent, underdeveloped, obstructed, or damaged.

The condition most often causes a feeling of embarrassment and causes decreased mobility, discomfort and often repeated episodes of infection, cellulitis and lymphangitis. This can lead to general depression and a general worsening of the patient's life and health.

Fungal infections can be very frequent and these place a greater load on the lymphatics. S evere cases are associated with thickening of the skin, hardening of the limb  (fibrosis), leakage of lymph and massive swelling (elephantiasis).

Who is at Risk?
At risk is anyone who has had a simple mastectomy, lumpectomy or modified radical mastectomy in combination with axilary node dissection and, often radiation therapy. Lymphedema can occur immediately  postoperative, within a few months, a couple of years, or 20 years or more after cancer therapy. With proper education and care, lymphedema can be avoided or, if it develops, kept under control. 

Eighteen Steps to Prevention
For the breast cancer patient who is at risk of lymphedema, and for the breast cancer patient who has developed lymphedema. The following instructions should be reviewed carefully and, if necessary, discussed with your physician or therapist.

1. Absolutely do not ignore any slight increase of swelling in the arm, hand, fingers or chest wall (consult your doctor immediately).
   
   
2. Never allow an injection or a blood drawing in the affected arm(s).
   
   
3. Have blood pressure checks on the unaffected arm.
   
   
4. Keep the edemic arm, or at risk arm, spotlessly clean. Use lotion (Eucerin, Nivea) after bathing. When drying it, be gentle but thorough. Make sure it is dry in any creases and between the fingers.
   
   
5. Avoid vigorous, repetitive movements against resistance with the affected arm (scrubbing, pushing, pulling).
   
   
6. Avoid heavy lifting with the affected arm. Never carry heavy handbags with over-the-shoulder straps.
   
   
7. Do not wear tight jewelry or elastic bands around affected fingers or arm(s).
   
   
8. Avoid extreme temperature changes when bathing, washing dishes, or sunbathing (no sauna or hot tub). Keep the arm protected from the sun.
   
   
9. Avoid any type of trauma (bruising, cuts, sunburn or other burns, sports injuries, insect bites, cat scratches).
   
   
10. Wear gloves while doing housework, gardening or any type of work that could result in even a minor injury.
    
    
11. When manicuring your nails, avoid cutting your cuticles. (inform your manicurist).
    
    
12. Exercise is important, but consult with your therapist. Do not over exert an arm at risk; if it starts to ache, lie down and elevate it.
    Recommended Exercises: Walking, swimming, light aerobics, bike riding, and specially designed ballet or yoga. (Do not lift more than 12 pounds)
    
    
13. When traveling by air, patients with lymphedema must wear a compression sleeve. Additional bandages may be required on a long flight.
    
    
14. Patients with large breasts should wear light breast prostheses (heavy prostheses may put too much pressure on the lymph nodes above the collar bone). Soft pads may have to be worn under the bra strap. Wear a well-fitted bra that is not too tight and with no wire support. 
    
    
15. Use an electric razor to remove hair from axilla. Maintain electric razor properly, replacing heads as needed.
    
    
16. Patients who have lymphedema should wear a well-fitted compression sleeve during all waking hours. At least every four to six months, see your therapist for a follow up. If the sleeve is too loose, most likely the circumference has reduced or the sleeve is worn.
    
    
17. Warning: If you notice a rash, blistering, redness, increase of temperature or fever, see your doctor immediately. An inflammation of infection in the affected arm could be the beginning of lymphedema of a worsening of lymphedema.
    
    
18. Maintain your ideal weight through a well-balanced, low-sodium, high-fiber diet. Avoid smoking and alcoholic beverages. Lymphedema is a high protein edema, but eating too little protein will not reduce the protein element in the lymph fluid; rather, this will weaken the connective tissue and worsen the condition. The diet should contain protein that is easily digested, such as chicken and fish.

Unfortunately, prevention is not a cure. But as a breast cancer patient, you are in control of your ongoing cancer checkups and the the continued maintenance of your lymphedema.