Edema/insufficiency

There are various clinical pictures which affect the lymphatic system and cause a backlog of lymph in the tissue. In so-called primary lymphedema (edema is a swelling), a weakness of the lymphatic system exists from birth or develops during life. In secondary lymphedema, the weakness of the system is an injury such as surgery, radiation, or removal of lymph nodes.

The secondary lymphedema is therefore acquired. A temporary swelling that occurs after injuries and accidents is called traumatic edema. Disease of the venous system also causes a backlog of fluid in the tissue and, after a long period of existence, affects the lymph vessel system, which has to work more and more over a long period of time and eventually becomes exhausted.

So-called dynamic insufficiency is the exhaustion of the transport capacity, i.e. there is too much lymphatic fluid and substances that have to be transported away in the tissue, which the lymphatic system cannot cope with. With mechanical insufficiency, on the other hand, the amount to be removed is within the normal range, but the system is so damaged that it cannot cope with this amount itself. A combination of both forms of insufficiency, i.e. a weakness of the system and increased amounts of fluid to be removed, is called safety valve insufficiency.

All these clinical pictures form indications for the use of manual lymphatic drainage. The problem of long-lasting edema is the reduced circulation and thus a worsened nutritional situation and the removal of cell debris, pollutants, etc. in the affected area.

In addition, the swelling makes it necessary to travel a further distance. Especially deposits of proteins in the tissue are problematic, because the body sends its own cells to them, which gradually convert the protein molecules into solid tissue. Once the conversion of tissue has taken place, it is possible that the edema has already manifested itself irreversibly, i.e. it is no longer reversible.Unpleasant symptoms of edema include swelling, irritation of the pain receptors by the overstretched skin, a feeling of heaviness of the body part and reduced mobility due to lack of space in the tissue and swelling around joints.