Tag: lymphoedema

Shine a Light on Lipoedema

by JMReflex, posted in Reflexology

Lipoedema is a chronic disorder of the connective tissue and fat tissue, mainly affecting women. It is thought to be a genetic and inherited disease, but can skip a generation.

The onset of Lipoedema is not well understood, however it is usually via a hormonal trigger, either at puberty, after pregnancy or menopause. Once triggered, there is an abnormal laying down of adipose tissue. This usually happens around the hips, legs, buttocks, knees (although sometimes it can be found in the arms). Hands and feet are usually unaffected. The fat deposited is usually evenly balanced between each side of the body, and creates a dimpled “orange peel” appearance.

During stressful times, a “growth spurt” can happen and another laying down of additional adipose tissue happens.

Lipoedema can create difficulties in walking and general movement, finding clothes to fit comfortably, and mental/emotional trauma. The areas affected can be painful and throb; feeling heavy and touch-sensitive. Bruising can happen easily, and the condition of the skin can deteriorate if not looked after properly.

The adnormal amounts of adipose tissue can start to block the lymphatic system, creating additional swelling of lymph fluid. This condition is sometimes referred to lipo-lymphoedema.

Reflexologist holding the pituitary reflex point on the big toe.

The community of Reflexology Lymph Drainage practitioners has seen much success in managing this condition with the techniques of reflexology. Patients report that their legs feel “empty” after a treatment which lasts a few days. Patients have also experienced the fat tissue starting to soften, creating a normal “wobble” instead of a solid, thickened, unmoveable texture. Pitting indendation starts to reduce considerably in some patients.

As a reflexologist I have lots of techniques in my toolbox; endocrine work is also be applied to the reflexes to address and manage the hormonal aspect of this condition (where appropriate).

Short demo on adding in the leg reflex to the RLD sequence. This additional technique is essential in treating lipoedema patients.

If you are interested in trying Reflexology Lymph Drainage to help with Lipoedema or Lymphoedema please get in touch via phone/text.

Lymphoedema – Lighten the Load

by JMReflex, posted in Reflexology

Lymphoedema can be a debilitating condition where the lymphatic system is compromised and thus a build up of fluid creates swelling in an area of the body.

Primary Lymphoedema is thought to be hereditary. Fluid starts to pool at the base of a limb due to the inadequacy of the lymphatic system’s ability to drain fluid.

Woman wearing compression bandage for lymphoedema.

Secondary Lymphoedema can appear after an operation, or after an accident or injury. The cause of fluid build up can be due to the lymphatic tissue becoming damaged, or removed (for example an axillary clearance).

Swelling can make that area of the body painful, heavy, tight and restricted. The tissues of the skin can become very uncomfortable and delicate, prone to damage and infection. It can be difficult to find clothes to fit, and can create mental/emotional instability.

The treatment for lymphoedema is compression, exercise/movement and good skincare. Sometimes Manual Lymph Drainage is offered which is a massage technique which re-reoutes the fluid away from the affected site.

Reflexology Lymph Drainage is a technique based on the principles of Manul Lymph Drainage, but transposed onto the reflexes of the feet or hands.

The beauty of this technique is that it is completely non-invasive; patients do not need to get undressed. It can be done in-clinic via the feet, or remotely via a taught self-help sequence carried out on the hands.

Much research is still being carried out around this technique; however what the reflexology community have seen up to this date is that the technique and sequence supports the theory of reflexology. By isolating and working the lymphatic reflexes of the feet or hands, has an effect on the body. As a community, we have been witness to some incredibly rewarding results for our clients.

Please contact me to have an initial discussion and to book in.

When East Meets West

by JMReflex, posted in Acupuncture, Large Intestine, Liver, Pain management, Reflexology, TCM

I often find myself pondering on the little nuances of my practice. Those little subtleties that signal you to the next revelation or lead you onto another level of awareness.

My recent pondering takes me down both the reflexology and the acupuncture avenues and meets to bring another level or dimension to my understanding.

Acupuncture needle at acupuncture point Liver 3 on the foot.

I have been using the Reflexology Lymph Drainage (RLD) technique a lot lately, and really focussing a lot of attention on this sequence; looking at the particular reflexes and how the areas of the body represented by these points actually function. One of the key points of the RLD sequence is the reflex point for the Subclavian Vein (SV). This point is on the dorsal of both feet and is situated exactly at the same acupoint Liver 3.

The SV is an important point for the RLD sequence, as this is where the lymphatic system, once finished cleaning and transporting lymph through the body, will return it back into the cardiovascular system i.e. the blood. This point gets used A LOT during the RLD sequence; after every sweep and general movement, we ask the body to deposit the lymph back to the cardiovascular system via the techniques of reflexology. It is gently stimulated a minimum of 18 times on each foot, plus additional linking at the end.

From an acupuncture point of view, this point is known as Liver 3. The energy of the Liver is to govern “spreading and draining”. By this we mean that it is responsible for maintaining the free flow of Qi (energy). Liver Qi can be restricted emotionally by anger, and physically by damp-heat. “When Liver Qi stagnates, it gives rise to sensations of pressure, distention and pain”. So these are the same symptoms that we are addressing in the RLD sequence; pressure and distention from oedema, and subsequent pain that this causes. Oedema is a “damp” symptom; fluid starts to stagnate and that is what is known as “damp”. If it stagnates for long enough it can start to warm up which is known as “damp-heat”.

On each acupuncture meridian, there is a principal or “source” point which is known as the most powerful point of that particular channel. Liver 3 is the source point for the Liver channel and it is the main point we would chose to promote free-flowing Qi. In addition, this point (or points if we are thinking bilaterally) combined with Large Intestine 4 (Li4) on the hands, make up the “four gates” which are used for the relief of pain. What is interesting to me is that Li4 is the exact same point we would use for the SV in RLD on the hands!

We might ask what this all means? It just consolidates for me that what we do from either angle, whether its from a western medical viewpoint or whether it is from a Traditional Chinese Medicine viewpoint, it all slots together. The two approaches fit neatly together side by side. They both make sense.

Lymphatic Drainage using Reflexology on the Feet

by JMReflex, posted in cancer care, Health & Wellbeing, Learning, Reflexology

I have been using the well established Reflexology Lymph Drainage technique for 6 years now. This technique isolates the reflexes of the lymphatic system using gentle circling and sweeping techniques with the intention of moving fluid in the body.

During September I have been treating a client with unilateral secondary lymphoedema in the arm, wrist and hand. We took some basic measurements in the distal (lower) arm before and after the sessions each week.

The graph below presents the results over the 4 week period. As you can see, the percentage difference in millilitres of excess fluid volume in the swollen arm compared to the unaffected arm reduces significantly after the first session, then continues to adjust then plateau after the 4th session.

Graph showing % difference in mls of excess volume in swollen arm.

Over the 4 weeks my client also noticed an improved range of motion in the wrist, and more normal sensations with the skin on the back of hand; reduced tightness and more elasticity.

My client has enjoyed the sessions so much, finding them deeply and surprisingly relaxing, and has booked another course which begins in a few weeks time.

If you are interested in trying this technique with me, or know someone who suffers with secondary lymphoedema, or other symptoms that might benefit, please get in touch for an initial chat. I offer 5 weekly sessions at a discounted price of £210. Subsequent courses are 4 weekly sessions at £150.

Other health related problems that have seen good results in the past are:

  • Heavy legs
  • Lipoedema
  • Lipo-lymphoedema
  • Autoimmune disorders
  • Injury recovery
  • Swelling
  • Recovery from cancer treatment

Elder Cottage Clinic, Warton, Preston, PR4. For more information see my dedicated pages https://fyldelymphatics.wordpress.com