Lymphedema and Lipedema Therapy Using Complete Decongestive Therapy (CDT)

Living with chronic swelling, pain, heaviness, or tissue changes can deeply impact your mobility, confidence, and quality of life. Our lymphedema and lipedema therapy services use Complete Decongestive Therapy (CDT)—the gold-standard, non-invasive approach—to help reduce swelling, improve lymphatic flow, and support long-term symptom management.

Each care plan is individualized, compassionate, and focused on restoring comfort, function, and control over your health.

What Is Complete Decongestive Therapy (CDT)?

Complete Decongestive Therapy is a multi-component therapeutic approach designed to manage lymphatic disorders safely and effectively. CDT focuses on reducing fluid accumulation, softening fibrotic tissue, and supporting healthy lymphatic circulation.

CDT typically includes:

• Manual lymphatic drainage (MLD)

• Compression therapy (bandaging or garments)

• Skin and tissue care

• Movement and exercise education

• Long-term self-management strategies

Conditions We Treat

Lymphedema

Lymphedema is chronic swelling caused by impaired lymphatic flow. It may occur:

• After surgery, radiation, or cancer treatment

• Due to injury, infection, or trauma

• Congenitally (primary lymphedema)

Common symptoms include swelling in the arms, legs, trunk, or face; heaviness; tightness; discomfort; and skin changes.

Lipedema

Lipedema is a chronic, often underdiagnosed condition characterized by:

• Symmetrical fat and fluid accumulation (usually legs and arms)

• Pain, tenderness, and easy bruising

• Resistance to diet and exercise

• Progressive tissue changes if untreated

CDT helps manage inflammation, discomfort, and secondary lymphatic congestion associated with lipedema.

Benefits of CDT for Lymphedema & Lipedema

• Reduced swelling and fluid retention

• Decreased pain, pressure, and heaviness

• Improved mobility and joint comfort

• Softer tissue and reduced fibrosis

• Enhanced skin health and immune support

• Improved body awareness and confidence

• Long-term symptom control with proper maintenance

What to Expect During Your Therapy

Your journey begins with a thorough assessment of your medical history, symptoms, and goals. Treatment sessions are gentle, respectful, and tailored to your tolerance level.

Sessions may include:

• Hands-on lymphatic drainage techniques

• Compression support education and application

• Skin care guidance to reduce infection risk

• Simple movement strategies to support lymph flow

• Lifestyle and self-care recommendations

Who Is a Good Candidate?

CDT is appropriate for individuals who:

• Have been diagnosed with lymphedema or lipedema

• Experience chronic swelling, heaviness, or tissue changes

• Are post-surgical or post-oncology patients

• Want non-invasive, conservative therapy options

• Are seeking long-term management rather than temporary relief

Personalized, Whole-Person Care

We recognize that lymphatic disorders affect more than just the body. Our approach supports physical comfort, emotional well-being, and education so you feel empowered—not overwhelmed—on your healing journey.

Call to Action (Booking Section)

Ready to reduce swelling and feel more comfortable in your body?
Schedule a lymphedema or lipedema consultation today and receive a personalized CDT care plan designed for long-term results.

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FAQs – Lymphedema, Lipedema & CDT

What is the difference between lymphedema and lipedema?

Lymphedema is caused by impaired lymphatic drainage leading to fluid buildup, while lipedema involves abnormal fat and fluid accumulation, often with pain and tenderness. They can occur together, and CDT can help manage both.

Is Complete Decongestive Therapy safe?

Yes. CDT is a conservative, evidence-based approach widely used in clinical and rehabilitative settings. Treatments are gentle and adapted to your individual health status.

How many sessions will I need?

The number of sessions varies depending on severity, goals, and response to treatment. Some clients benefit from short-term intensive care, followed by maintenance sessions.

Does CDT hurt?

No. Manual lymphatic drainage and CDT techniques are gentle and should never be painful. Many clients find sessions deeply relaxing.

Can CDT help after surgery or cancer treatment?

Yes. CDT is commonly used after surgery or oncology treatment to manage swelling, improve comfort, and support lymphatic recovery.

Will I need compression garments?

Compression is often an important part of long-term management. We provide education and guidance to ensure comfort, safety, and proper use.

Is this a cure for lymphedema or lipedema?

CDT is not a cure, but it is highly effective for managing symptoms, improving quality of life, and preventing progression when followed consistently.

STAGES OF LYMPHEDEMA:

Stage 0 Lymphedema: this is the latency stage and can involve various sensation changes, stasis leading to discomfort, heaviness or achiness. Symptoms can return to normal after activity or triggers are controlled but often return when the area is taxed. This could happen in one or more areas. We encourage those experiencing Stage 0 lymphedema to seek treatment right away to avoid progression.

Stage I Lymphedema: lymphedema starts to become more apparent at this stage. Swelling is present in the affected area. Swelling usually responds to elevation or light compression however, lymphedema at this stage typically progresses to stage II in weeks or months because the lymphatic vessels are laboring to maintain capacity. Early intervention at this stage helps counteract lymph accumulation and reduces the progression of lymphedema if there are no further complications or injuries to the lymph vessels.

Stage II Lymphedema: the continued imbalance between the lymphatic load and the lymphatic transport capacity has worsened and while swelling my fluctuate, it is persistent. There could also be lymphostatic fibrosis (connective tissue (collagen) deposition and other inflammatory elements). Stage II lymphedema is the most common form of lymphedema due to inadequate early identification and or delayed or inappropriate intervention.

Stage III Lymphedema: when lymphedema is neglected, it often progresses to stage III. There is usually extreme dermal hardening, distortions, connective tissue proliferation, further damage/impairment to the superficial lymphatic structures, infections risks, and other issues that continue to exacerbate damage to the lymphatic structures and worsen the lymphedema. Lymphedema at this stage requires more time in Phase I CDT.

LIPEDEMA (FLUID IN FAT)

Lipedema is a disorder of the subcutaneous loose connective tissue. Connective tissues comprise adipose (fat) cells, fascia, collagen and elastin fibers, extracellular matrix, immune cells, mast cells, lymphocytes, fibroblasts, and glycosaminoglycans (GAGs). Loose connective tissue (LCT) contain copious amount of water, proteins, electrolytes, nutrients, cell waste material and GAGs bound gel. Due to the presentation of lipedema, it is queried that lipedema is bound to GAGs in the extracellular matrix. This is because the fluid that is GAG- bound does not freely flow as lymph fluid does and do not move outside of the fibril matrix. The fat cells in lipedema can be painful. While lipedema is also treated with CDT, the two conditions are not the same. Lipedema is symmetrical enlargement of the limbs, mainly of subcutaneous fat tissue but it can also have lymphedema components. Lipedema fat is difficult to lose through dieting, exercise or bariatric surgery. Lipedema mostly impact women and is often misunderstood as obesity. In the early stages, lipedema spares the feet, hands and tends to concentrate increased tissue on the lower abdomen, hips, buttocks, thighs, and legs. In the later stages, it can extend further up the abdomen, into the upper extremities and become fibrotic.

Additional symptoms of lipedema include joint hypermobility, valgus knee, ankle pronation, muscle weakness, hyperlordotic lumbar spine, easy bruising, tenderness and pain in the affected areas, leg swelling despite elevation, spider and varicose veins, hyperthyroidism in up to 36% of affected individuals, increased risk of hypovitaminosis D with increased weight, abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, bloating, shortness of breath, sleep apnea and other sleep issues.

Lipedema causes body disproportion and the enlarged fat on the thighs, inner knees and calves can limit mobility. The build up can be around the buttocks, hips, pelvis, buttocks to knees, buttocks to ankles and or around the inner sides of the knees. In the arms, the affected tissue can be at the upper arms, lower arms or throughout the entire arms. Lipedema can affect other areas, not just the legs and arms it is described by stages and types.

Stage 1 lipedema: the skin is smooth however there are increased subcutaneous fat tissue present. The fat present can be small nodules described as rice-like, styrofoam balls in a plastic bag, pearl-sized or pebble-like and can be felt under the surface of the skin.

Stage 2 lipedema: fat may be thickened, hardened, fibrotic. There is uneven skin surface with dimpling, indentations and/or wavy orange peel look or mattress pattern look. Large nodules, ranging from walnuts size to apple size may be felt under the surface of the skin.

Stage 3 lipedema: there are extrusions of fat that are forming lobules (folds of fat), even larger masses or overhangs of fat causing deformations that can be observed, especially on the thighs and around the knees. It is not uncommon to see thickening fat nodules and fibrotic tissue.

TYPES OF LIPEDEMA

Lipedema typology helps to explain the location of the fat. Types of lipedema were originally described in women to better identify the presentation of the condition.

Type I: accumulation affects the lower abdomen, over the hips and buttocks.

Type II: accumulation affects buttocks to the knees with folds of fat around the inner knee.

Type III: accumulation affects the lower abdomen, buttocks to the ankles.

Type IV: accumulation affects the arms.

Type V: accumulation affects the lower legs.

LIPOLYMPHEDEMA

When there is protein rich accumulation of lymph causing swelling and lipedema, the condition of lipolymphedema is queried. In those experiencing lipedema, lymphedema can also be equally present.

ADDITIONAL THERAPEUTIC APPROACHES FOR LIPEDEMA

In addition to CDT, we address the network of fibers called microvacuoles within the connective tissues network to aid better function of the connective tissues, reduce fibrosis, improve lymphatic flow, heaviness and lymphedema. We offer adjunctive therapies that support reduction of lipedema nodules, texture, volume, as well as the management of inflammation and pain.

Sources:

Lipedema Foundation

Lipedema.com

Fat Disorders Resource Society

National Lymphedema Network

Lymphatic Education and Research Network