L-W-O Community

Manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) is a form of massage where a light touch is given by a qualified therapist to move excess lymph fluid out of the tissues and back into the lymphatic vessels.  This type of massage should not be confused with a traditional beauty or sports massage.

Simple lymphatic drainage (SLD) is something in my opinion that everyone who lives with lymphoedema should be taught and in the case of children their families should be taught.  This is because this type of massage can then be undertaken everyday as part of your daily self-care routine.  The purpose of this is to open the lymphatic pathways from congested areas of the body to an area where there is no swelling.

Deep Oscillation Therapy (DOT) is a patented electrostatic lymphatic massage therapy which is delivered by the light vinyl gloved hands of the therapist/parent or supportive other to the patient, or via special applicators which enable patient self-treatment at home. The personal unit has many pre-programmed indications for sporting injuries and occupational conditions and now has a setting for Lymphoedema too.  DOT can be combined with MLD and SLD and it enhances treatment results, reducing swelling, 'pain with associated swelling' and fibrosis, aiding mobility and improving skin quality reducing the likelihood of infections.  The sensation is that of a gentle, relaxing vibration on the surface of the skin, and yet, it is clinically proven to permeate an 8 cm depth, impacting upon all tissue layers: including the connective tissue. It is in the connective tissue that we find the build-up of protein solids and lymphatic fluid which is evidence in Lymphoedema.

In January 2017 Lincoln's family had been given a personal DOT machine for a six-week trial by PhysioPod UK and the family where thrilled with the results that they set about fundraising to buy their own machine.  In July 2020 Lincoln’s family updated PhysioPod UK with the following email which is on the PhysioPod website.  Please do read.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT: I would like to thank PhysioPod UK for supporting L-W-O Community and especially Mary Fickling, Company Director of PhysioPod, for writing and explaining how DOT works and allowing us to share the links from their website.