Lymphatic drainage
The main area of application of manual lymphatic drainage is the treatment of body regions affected by lymph congestion, which is mainly caused by swelling of the extremities (arm or leg) or the trunk. Lymph congestion can occur, for example, as a result of injuries, operations, removal of lymph nodes in cancer. Fluid is moved from the tissue into the lymphatic system by gentle circular or sweeping displacement techniques.
The therapy can be supported by compression bandages, special skin care and decongestion gymnastics. The effects of lymphatic drainage are rapid pain relief and acceleration of the healing process by decongesting the swollen tissue that is overloaded with cell fluid. Lymphatic drainage is applied by therapists with appropriate additional training at approved training institutes. The application of preparatory passive measures such as heat or cold therapy is one of the treatment forms of physical therapy. Basically, heat therapy is recommended for chronic complaints in the musculoskeletal system and organ system, cold therapy for acute problems such as accidents and acute inflammatory processes.
Heat Therapy
Heat therapy includes, among others, the following therapeutic procedures:
- Fango
- Hot air
- Hot roll
Fango
As a substitute for the use of purely naturally occurring fango (e.g. in certain Italian spas), peat paraffin packs are used in most practices today. The starting material here is a kerosene wax mixed with natural moor or fango. The packs are applied or laid on the skin, the patient is additionally wrapped in blankets for 20-40 minutes to store heat and is comfortably stored. The effect is above all pain relief and general relaxation by stimulating blood circulation, relaxing muscles and connective tissue. The application of heat should be sensibly combined with other passive and/or active measures of physiotherapy and physiotherapy.
Hot air
In hot-air treatment, the heat is mainly applied by irradiation with red light on the painful and tense back areas. The effects are similar to the heat application with fango, but not such an intensive deep warming and no chemical effect is achieved. This remedy is also used as a preparatory application for other forms of therapy.
All articles in this series: