Health care providers are constantly confronted with the challenge of providing quality health care while at the same time containing escalating costs. Incorporating complementary therapies into standard health care practices can assist in escalating the healing process, enhancing general wellness, focusing on prevention, and promoting a better quality of life. This article discusses manual lymphatic drainage therapy and identifies the value of as well the indications for the therapy. A brief overview of the lymphatic system is included.
Barnes, P.M., Powell-Griner, E., McFann, K., Nahin, R.L. (2004, May 27). Complementary and alternative medicine use among adults: United States, 2002. Advance Data, 343, 1-19.
2.
Casley-Smith, J. R. (1980). The fine structures and functioning of tissue channels and lymphatics. Lymphology, 12, 177-182.
3.
Casley-Smith, J. R., & Casley-Smith, J. R. (1996). Lymphedema initiated by aircraft flights. Aviation, Space, and Environmental Medicine, 67(1), 52-56.
4.
Chikly, B. (2001). Silent waves: Theory and practice of lymph drainage therapy with applications for lymphedema, chronic pain, and inflammation. Scottsdale, AZ: International Health and Healing Inc. Publishing.
5.
Clement, D. (2000). Management of venous edemas: Insights from an international task force. Angiology, 51, 13-17.
6.
Diamond, A., & Conian, S. (1997). The management of chronic pain. New York: Oxford University Press.
7.
Farncombe, M., Danuels, G., & Cross, L. (1994). Lymphedema: The seemingly forgotten complication. Journal of Pain and Symptom Management, 4, 269-276.
8.
Foldi, E. (1998). The treatment of lymphedema. CANCER Supplement, 83(12), S2833-S2834.
9.
Foldi, M., Foldi, E., Kubil, S. (2003). Textbook of lymphology for physicians and lymphedema therapists. Munchen, Germany: Urban and Fischer.
10.
Guyton, A., & Hall, J. (1996). Textbook of medical physiology (9th ed.). Philadelphia: W. B. Saunders.
11.
Hinrichs, C., Watroba, N., Rezaishiraz, H., Giese, W., Hurd, T., Fassl, K., et al. (2004) Lymphedema secondary to postmastectomy radiation: Incidence and risk factors. Annals of Surgical Oncology, 11(6), 573-580.
12.
Hukkanen, M., Konttinen, Y., Terenghi, G., & Polak, J. (1992). Peptide-containing innervation of rat femoral lymphatic vessels. Microvascular Research, 43(1), 7-19.
13.
Ibegbuna, V., Delis, K., Nicolaides, A., & Aina, O. (2003). Effect of elastic compression stockings on venous hemodynamics during walking. Journal of Vascular Surgery, 37(2), 420-425.
14.
Kasseroller, R. (1998). Compendium of Dr. Vodder’s manual lymph drainage. Heidelberg, Germany: Karl F. Haug.
15.
Kreitzer, M., Mitten, D., Harris, I., & Shandeling, J. (2002). Attitudes toward CAM among medical, nursing, and pharmacy faculty and students: A comparative analysis. Alternative Therapies, 11/12, 44-53.
16.
Martini, F. H. (2001). Fundamentals of anatomy and physiology (5th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.
17.
Nahin, R., & Straus, S. (2001). Research into complementary and alternative medicine: Problems and potential. British Medical Journal, 322(1), 161-164.
18.
Ozaslan, C., & Kuru, B. (2004). Lymphedema after treatment of breast cancer. The American Journal of Surgery, 187(1), 69-72.
19.
Petrek, J., Pressman, P., & Smith, R. (2000). Lymphedema: Current issues in research and management. CA-A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, 50(11/12), 292-307.
20.
Rockson, S. (2001). Lymphedema. American Journal of Medicine, 110(3), 288-295.
21.
Ryan, M., Stainton, M., Jaconelli, C., Watts, S., MacKenzie, P., & Mansberg, T. (2003). The experience of lower limb lymphedema for women after treatment for gynecologic cancer. Oncology Nursing Forum, 30(3), 417-423.
22.
Rymal, C. (2003). Lymphedema therapy during adjuvant therapy for cancer. Clinical Journal of Oncology Nursing, 7(4), 449-455.
23.
Thiadens, S. (1998). Current status of education and treatment resources for lymphedema. CANCER Supplement, 83(12), 2864-2868.
24.
Weissleder, H., & Schuchhardt, C. (2001). Lymphedema diagnosis and therapy. Koln, Germany: Viavital.
