Lipedema Stages
Lipedema is a condition that if left untreated it can lead to painful and severe swelling.
An early stage (STAGE 1) of Lipedema presents with smooth skin with an increase of enlarged subcutaneous fat tissue. The fat tissue, is already building up around joint but the feet or hands still appear unaffected.
In the Stage 2 you may start notice indentation along the area that accumulated fatty tissue. The limbs are clearly bilaterally affected, and the medial or posterior side of the limb is more affected.
Stage 3 refers to when the fatty tissue is now severely enlarged, and there are exceed of fatty tissue and skin on the hip and knee area, or the upper arm, showing a disproportion in the body shape.
Stage 4 is when the lymphatic system is by then oppressed by the accumulation of fatty layer. At this stage, the presentation take the name of Lypolympheodema.
Along those different stages, MLD can always help, but along stages 1 to 3, the usage of fitted compression is heavily recommended. As per the Lymphoedema presentation, Giovanni would recommend avoiding buying the pharmacy compression, as often they would not meet your needs. They could lead to discomfort and swelling degeneration if not even skin irritation.
In stage 4, then, MLD and CDT (Complete Decongestive Therapy) take on a new level of care, which was not as much needed before as the lymphatic system was actually fully functioning.