Lipoedema is a condition that causes excess fat to accumulate under the skin, either in the lower or upper part of the body.
Said so, it is a condition that affects mainly women.
It manifests itself just after hormonal changes, such as puberty, post-pregnancy or in older age, after even major surgery.
The condition does not affect the hands or feet.
Regarding the symptoms and presentation, Lipoedema can be mistaken for lymphoedema.
Even though those are different conditions, lipedema can lead to lymphedema.
What is the cause of Lipoedema?
Well, it is not known what can cause lipoedema.
As mentioned above, it manifests itself often when there is hormonal change, so hormones can play a role in it.
What is known is that it runs in families, so it has a genetic component and, most of the time, affects women.
Obesity is not a cause either, even though most of the people who suffer from Lipoedema suffer from obesity too.
Lipoedema Symptoms are like:
- A fat build-up in the thighs, buttocks, calves, and occasionally in the upper arms.
- Feet or hands, unless the patient has chronic venous insufficiency or lymphoedema, do not swell.
- Pain.
- Walking ability can decrease as the condition worsen.
- Condition of Anxiety and or Depression can develop as the person feel an imbalance in their body appearance.
- Fat accumulation under the skin can block the Lymphatic System, causing Secondary or lipo-Lymphoedema if the lipoedema is not looked after.
What can be done if you suffer from Lipoedema?
There are several approaches to the problem, depending on the severity of the case.
The earlier the lipoedema gets diagnosed, the better. For diagnosing Lipoedema, you may want to talk to your GP or visit a therapist from the Vodder Academy who has a LEVEL III certification.
Here is a link to find a practitioner to help you with that.
Regarding massage, there is not much that Remedial Massage, Myotherapy or Thai Massage can do.
Specifying diet can help too, and you may want to talk to your GP about it.
Also, surgery such as liposuction would help, even though those are better at the early stage.
Specifically, manual therapy like MLD (Manual Lymphatic Drainage) can help.
But MLD itself is not enough in most cases, especially if the Lipoedema did create a Lipo-Lymphodemia.
Read more about MLD by following this Link.
Indeed, in addition to MLD compressed bandaging and compressed garments wear are essentials.
Those two practices can allow the work initiated by MLD therapy to be maintained and amplified.