The gold standard for treating lymphedema is a combination of modalities called complete decongestive therapy, and one part of these therapies is termed manual lymphatic drainage.
Reflexology practitioner, researcher, educator and author Sally Kay has created the reflexology protocol Reflexology Lymph Drainage (RLD), which is based on the practice of manual lymphatic drainage, and this protocol has proven to have a positive impact on breast cancer-related lymphedema.
Thermal imaging was used in a recent study in 2020 to track changes in lymphedema of the arms of two participants after treatment for breast cancer. This study showed improvement in temperature in the affected hands and arms over 45 minutes after using RLD to help move and reduce retained fluid. Circumferential measurements of the arms of both participants were taken before treatment, after treatment, and on the following day, which indicated a loss of limb volume in the affected arm in both cases, and this loss in volume continued over 24 hours.
Why is it important?
The RLD protocol is used on reflexes in the feet and hands to help gently move fluid without making contact with the sites of lymphedema within the arm or with surgical sites. This noninvasive reflexology protocol can be used to prevent build up of lymphedema in tissues and help maintain functioning of arms after cancer treatments. This special technique not only benefits those with lymphedema but can help reduce the symptoms of many other conditions. Those suffering from eczema, fibromyalgia and musculoskeletal pain have reported improvements after RLD. An increase in energy levels is also a benefit, and RLD can be useful to help aid postoperative recovery.
