Lymphedema: Therapy

General measures

Aim for normal weight! Determination of BMI (body mass index, body mass index) or body composition by means of electrical impedance analysis and, if necessary, participation in a medically supervised weight loss program or program for underweight.

Nutritional counseling based on nutritional analysis
Nutritional recommendations according to a mixed diet taking into account the disease at hand. This means, among other things:
- A total of 5 servings of fresh vegetables and fruit daily (≥ 400 g; 3 servings of vegetables and 2 servings of fruit).
- Once or twice a week fresh sea fish, i.e. fatty marine fish (omega-3 fatty acids) such as salmon, herring, mackerel.
- High-fiber diet (whole grain products).
Selection of appropriate food based on the nutritional analysis
See also under “Therapy with micronutrients (vital substances)” – if necessary, taking a suitable dietary supplement.
Detailed information on nutritional medicine you will receive from us.

Complex physical decongestive therapy (CPD) with the following components:
- Manual lymphatic drainage (ML).
- Compression stockings/compressive bandages
- Decongestive movement / respiratory therapy
- Skin care of the stressed skin
In the current therapeutic products guideline (diagnoses for long-term therapeutic product needs), stage II lymphedema is recognized as diseases with long-term therapeutic product needs. Thus, prescriptions of manual lymphatic drainage for lymphedema stage II and III are not subject to performance audit.