is it lymph build-up or something else?

[soccergurl1994]

HI, I have a newish client who is in excellent, athletic physical condition but has ever since she can remember gotten a great deal of swelling in both feet. Prior to me she'd gotten regular deep tissue and lymph drainage massage every other week for years. It seems (to her, to her previous MT, and to me, but tell me if this sounds really wacky) as if her legs are disproportionately short for the rest of her body, and her feet are disproportionately small for her legs, so that lymph gets built up as if in a logjam. Every two weeks I, like the previous MT, run the excess fluid out of the feet, ankles, and leg. The 'logjam' seems to stop at the knee.

Particularly on her medial leg, superficial to the soleus, and in addition to the general swelling, pockets of lymph develop like puffy mounds. But they also feel like matted tissue--in the fascia?--deeper than the lymph, and again superficial to the soleus. Am I wrong to think it's matted tissue, or anything other than lymph build-up? I haven't seen anything like them before and would like to know why these pockets--one-inch-square and one-by-two-inch mounds--are developing.

And any treatment or exercise suggestions are most welcome! She's a very respectful client but has a hard time adding new things to her packed routine. She does limited stretching, and I do think more stretching would help move the lymph. Her shoes are a factor--pointy, often backless, with varying heels--but she probably won't be changing these. I encourage ankle rotation exercises in particular to help stimulate flow and perhaps "open channels"--but do not think she has been getting to them.

Thank you!!

 

[ericalynn429]

is it lymph build-up or something else?

Am I wrong to think it's matted tissue, or anything other than lymph build-up? I haven't seen anything like them before and would like to know why these pockets--one-inch-square and one-by-two-inch mounds--are developing.

Ofcourse you are not wrong; assessment includes theories of, "It could be this".

The things that come to my mind are fascia adhesions or cellulite.

 

[Eic]

I took LDT1 this past week. I learned that there are genetic lymphedema pathologies, which can be diagnosed by a vascular specialist, etc.

There were 3 Lymphedema certified therapists. They talked about fibrosis, where the fluid is moved out - but the proteins, debris remain and the tissue becomes fibrotic. After LDT1 -we were told we should not work on undiagnosed pathologies, as doing so could cause damage - i.e. fibrosis, etc.

 

[joeyharrington2002]

wow. thank you so much for the speedy responses. amazing!

thanks Denise for the word of encouragement, and both for sharing your knowledge.

I wonder if the tissue is tough enough here to be fibrotic--that may be my own misunderstanding about fibrosis, but the puffy areas don't have the thickness or resistance I associate with fibrosis. *Not* to rule out a serious pathology, but this client has gotten very thorough medical care (top notch in our town) because of a very serious foot injury (I'm leaving out detail here as it could actually identify her, and also because she had this swelling before the injury and has had years of massage since the injury). I will ask her more about what they've said, but as I understand it her doctors have been unimpressed by the swelling though it causes her clear discomfort.

Thank you again!!

 

[Pompal 09.]

FYI- One of the specialist - Paula Gurak, LMT, Lyphedema specialist has a practice in Dallas, TX. She was an awesome instructor. You could always contact her. I believe she left Burlington, VT Sunday night and is in NY teaching this week. Good luck.

here's a link re: fibrosis
http://www.lymphnotes.com/article.php/id/43/

 

[Annihil88torr]

Was just reading this thread, and sounds extremly similar.
Maybe they would have more info?
http://www.massageplanet.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=13752&highlight=