Lymphedema and lipedema are long-term conditions, and care for both is directed by a medical team. Lymphedema affects how fluid moves and collects in the tissues. Lipedema affects how fat tissue is distributed in the body.
What is lymphedema?
Lymphedema is a long-term condition where lymph fluid collects in the tissues and causes persistent swelling. It happens when the lymphatic system is damaged or does not develop normally.
Lymphedema is commonly associated with surgery or medical care that affects lymph nodes. A doctor diagnoses it after assessing your situation.
Care for lymphedema is ongoing. A medical team directs that care and reviews it over time.
What is lipedema?
Lipedema is a long-term condition involving the distribution of fat tissue in the body. It is a separate condition from lymphedema, and the two are sometimes confused.
Lipedema is commonly under-recognised, and it can take time to reach a diagnosis. A doctor makes that diagnosis.
Lipedema and lymphedema can occur together. A doctor is the person who identifies which condition applies and directs care accordingly.
Where does manual lymphatic drainage fit in care?
Manual lymphatic drainage appears within care for lymphedema as one component of a broader approach. That approach is commonly called decongestive therapy. Practitioners with specific training deliver it under the direction of a medical team.
The broader approach commonly includes these components:
Compression garments or bandaging
Skin care
Exercise as advised by a care team
Manual lymphatic drainage delivered by a trained practitioner
These components work as a program set by a medical team. Manual lymphatic drainage is never used on its own for these conditions.
Who should you speak to?
A doctor is the person to speak to about a diagnosis or a change in symptoms. A medical team decides whether hands-on work is appropriate and when.
If you are already under care, follow the program set by that team. If you are awaiting a diagnosis, wait for it before booking hands-on work. A general wellness session is not care for either condition.
Care for lymphedema and lipedema is set and reviewed by a medical team over time. A doctor is the person to raise questions and changes with.
Is this what Zen Quest offers?
Zen Quest does not treat lymphedema or lipedema. No practitioner at Zen Quest is trained in lymphedema care. The lymphatic work offered at Zen Quest is not certified Manual Lymphatic Drainage and is not clinical care. This article is written as general knowledge. It does not describe anything offered at Zen Quest.
If you have been diagnosed with either condition, or think you may have one, the right care comes from your doctor and a certified lymphedema therapist working within a medical plan.
This article is for general education and does not replace advice from a qualified health professional.