You may have noticed; some women present a relatively small upper body compared to a massive lower? In fact, 11% of all women are affected in New Zealand. Thus, they are not obese but suffer from Lipoedema. Have you heard of this condition? Or perhaps, manual lymphatic drainage therapy? Lipoedema is not the result of high caloric intake and low exercise output. Instead, its a genetic inheritance triggered by hormonal changes.

Aim for early treatment of Lipoedema with manual lymphatic drainage therapy for a better outcome.

Early recognition and treatment may prevent the progression to stage 4. Generally, the condition usually worsens both at late-stage 3 and early-stage 4. Consequently, Lymphoedema is evident at the feet, and Kaposi-Stemmer sign is positive. For those in stage 4 afflicted with Lipo-Lymphoedema, it’s a debilitating condition associated with poor quality of life.

Signs of lipoedema

• Pain on touch/pressure over fatty tissue areas
• easy bruising over fatty areas without serious trauma/injuries
• no resolution with exercise, diets, weight loss.
• elevation of legs does not reduce swelling and pain
• skin is cool on touch over fatty areas
• symmetrical and bilateral fatty tissue deposits on calves, shins, legs, thighs, hips, buttocks waist and arms 30% of the time
• in early stage, you can pinch the fold between your first and second toes (Kaposi-Stemmer sign is negative)

Have you seen a certified manual lymphatic massage therapist for the treatment of Lipoedema and education in self-care yet? If you haven’t had a massage before, I understand your apprehension. Perhaps, its the fear of the unknown? Please know, you are not only in good hands.

Additionally, let me assure you I’m not gifted with the gap in doing life, let alone for cross-sales! While, as your massage therapist/professional health practitioner, I would like to take your care onto the next level. From my experience, the subject of medical compression garments appears a prickly one for many. Generally, it evokes some doses of suspicions and reservations. Nevertheless, it is a part of managing Lipoedema.

Some common questions asked are the length and duration of wear, costs, comfort and aesthetic. Your massage therapist can explain and show you samples to meet your needs.

Moreover, by taking action while you’re at the early stage of lipoedema would certainly prevent unwanted health complexities in the late-stage. It would involve higher personal and financial costs. Below is a link for further reading at your leisure.

Lovely people, that’s a topic for you to sleep on. For me, the next topic would probably be explaining about the importance of medical compression garments better!

https://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/diseases/10542/lipedema

Do you keep an active lifestyle, exercise consistently and have a sensible relationship to food? For curiosity sake, are you targeting specific areas in vain?

Lipoedema

By and large, Lipoedema is a relatively unknown disease. This condition involves an abnormal amount of fat tissue (adipose) distributed under the skin, at the waists, hips, buttocks, thighs, calves and the arms as well. Unfortunately, lipoedema is resistant to exercise and changes in diet. For that reason, the medical profession and other health practitioners alike overlook it. For the most part, it remains undiagnosed. Consequently, the lower body is uniquely massive in the later stages, when compared to the upper.

Causes

Would you have guessed its hormones that trigger Lipoedema? It happens during puberty, pregnancy and peri-menopause. Similarly, being predisposed to your genetic composition is a part of the equation as well. Eventually, lipoedema not only worsens with time but also impacts on moving freely. Hence, apart from other reasons, lymphatic disturbances occur. Furthermore, lipo-lymphedema develops subsequently.

Characteristics

I noticed some of my clients afflicted with Lipoedema bruise easily. They complain about their knees and legs feel numb, heavy, on pins and needles, throbbing, tender and painful. The majority expressed tiredness at the end of their day. As their therapist, naturally, I empathise with their feelings of insecurity and emotional distress.

Often, they are unfairly perceived as obese by the general public and advised to lose weight by medical personnel. They present with “column-like” legs attached to ankle cuffs. The saddlebags and fat lobules at their thighs and knees affect their self – image and confidence. Besides, it limits their choice of apparel. Additionally, their skin changes in colour and texture, eventually it thickens and hardens.

Management

To date, there is no known cure for Lipoedema. Someone has to be the bearer of bad news, your therapist in this case! However, liposuction slows its progression. Other conservative measures are Manual Lymphatic Drainage, Decongestive Lymphatic Therapy and Compression Therapy. Intermittent Compression Pumps (ICP) may also be included in home-care and outpatient clinics. They provide sequential compression at different settings on limbs, from distal to proximal. Some contraindications for ICP worth noting is Congestive Heart failure, Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) , Acute Infection ‘

As a certified Lipoedema and Lymphedema therapist, I encourage you to be pro-active in your self care. And I recommend a daily care plan that includes hygiene, skincare to protect and a low-carbohydrate diet (keto). Furthermore, regular exercise is important; it improves your mobility, lymph flow and to manage weight control.

Should you require information, education, support or just someone to talk to, please feel free to give me a call or sent me a message. I’m happy to help you and your Whanau.

You may be interested in further reading:

Risks and contraindications of medical compression treatment – A critical reappraisal. An international consensus statement

https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/0268355520909066