Treatment possibilities with LymphaTouch

This article looks at how LymphaTouch can be used in three areas:

• reducing swelling caused by injury or surgery
• improving the elasticity of soft tissue structures
• improving the elasticity of scar tissue

Reducing swelling caused by injury or surgery

Swelling after an injury or surgery has usually been treated with lymphatic drainage and compression, with RICE (rest, ice, compression and elevation) as first aid. With LymphaTouch, negative pressure lifts the skin, which opens the lymphatic capillaries and helps the lymphatic system absorb swelling fluid. LymphaTouch can also move swelling fluid effectively towards the main lymphatic ducts and away from the swollen area. Negative pressure values in swelling treatment typically range from 20 to 150 mmHg, and the LymphaTouch Pro device has built-in swelling treatment programmes.

The use of LymphaTouch to reduce swelling has been studied in patients with lymphedema and in the treatment of pre- and postoperative edema. According to these studies, LymphaTouch is as effective as manual lymphatic drainage in treating lymphedema and postoperative edema. For postoperative edema, LymphaTouch can be used as early as the day of surgery to support the tissues' natural healing process.

Watch the ultrasound video showing how the inguinal lymph node activates during a negative pressure pulse and how fascial structures move relative to each other under negative pressure.

Improving the elasticity of soft tissue structures

LymphaTouch adds a third direction of treatment: lifting. By lifting, twisting and sliding the treatment cup, the therapist can create a controlled stretch in tight or restricted tissues. Soft tissue and fascia treatment usually uses higher negative pressure values than swelling treatment, so that the tissue is treated effectively.

Clients often find LymphaTouch treatment pleasant and effective. The mechanical vibration feature helps relax the tissues at depth: in ultrasound imaging, mechanical vibration (60 Hz) has been found to reach a depth of up to 5 cm. LymphaTouch can be used as a treatment on its own or as a pretreatment for other fascia techniques.

Improving the elasticity of scar tissue

A scar is like an iceberg: we only see the top of it, and we don't know what lies beneath the surface or how deep its effects go. Scars from trauma or surgery can easily cause functional problems such as tightness, restricted movement and numbness.

LymphaTouch works mainly on the function of the scar, by lifting the scar tissue and moving the cup over it. Changes in the scar's appearance usually become visible only after several treatment periods. Scar treatment typically starts around the scar with one of the larger cups, so that the whole area scar tissue may affect gets treated. For treating directly on top of the scar, the 10 mm cup is a good fit.

Watch the ultrasound video showing mechanical vibration (blue and red dots) reaching a depth of up to 5 cm in a six-month-old scar.

Written by Anna Viitala, Clinical Specialist at LymphaTouch.