| There is no known cure for lymphedema, | | | | after the MLD session is completed. This will |
| although the condition can largely be kept in check | | | | prevent the fluids from entering the tissues and |
| with a few treatment methods. One of them is | | | | promote a smooth flow of the lymphatic fluids. |
| Manual Lymph Drainage or MLD, a part of the | | | | Lymphedema pumps come in two varieties. One |
| complete decongestive therapy. MLD is a light | | | | is the Sequential Gradient Pump where the air is |
| massaging procedure where the flow of fluids is | | | | automatically pushed into the inbuilt channels of |
| stimulated in the right direction. Lymphedema | | | | the garment. It is an imitation of how the natural |
| pumps are sometimes used to direct the pooled | | | | lymph flow moves from the limbs towards the |
| fluids to the blood stream. Massage therapists | | | | trunk of the body. Here the preparatory phase, |
| may sometimes use the pump, but it is an | | | | that is the massage, has to be performed |
| essential aid for people who cannot avail of the | | | | manually. The second variant of the pump is the |
| services of a massage therapist. | | | | FlexiTouch Pump wherein the whole process of |
| Using a lymphedema pump involves two stages, | | | | MLD is fully automated. All that is required is to |
| which are: Preparatory Phase and Drainage Phase. | | | | adjust the setting to the necessary level and |
| The lymph vessels need to be prepared to | | | | activate the pump. Here the complete process |
| receive the fluid that the pump stimulates. This is | | | | may take a good part of the hour. However, the |
| the preparatory stage, which has to be done | | | | whole process needs to be completed in one |
| properly. If not, the lymph will enter the | | | | sitting. |
| surrounding tissues, causing complications instead. | | | | The pneumatic lymphedema pump has been used |
| The therapist always prepares the patient first by | | | | for a long time to treat lymphedema. It has been |
| giving a gentle massage. While using the pump at | | | | a proven method of treatment with positive |
| home, the patient must perform a self-massage | | | | results. Buying a pump may turn out to be quite |
| to prepare the body for the therapy. | | | | expensive as a good quality pump might cost |
| The lymphedema pump is used at the drainage | | | | anything between 5000 to 6000 dollars. Insurance |
| stage. While using the pump, it needs to be | | | | firms include it in Durable medical Equipment hence |
| adjusted for the right pressure level. The patient | | | | the patient may be reimbursed for the expense. |
| is then required to wear the garment and position | | | | There is also the option of renting out the pump |
| the limb correctly before starting the pump. The | | | | from a supply store. Lymphedema pumps are a |
| pump's action pushes the fluid accumulated in the | | | | great help for people who have no access to a |
| limb towards the blood stream thus reducing the | | | | therapist. They could easily learn the techniques of |
| swelling. To keep up the flow in the right direction | | | | using it to manage lymphedema. |
| the patient must wear the compression garment | | | | |