Combined decongestive therapy is the standard in the treatment of lymphedema. It is carried out in two phases: the decongestive phase, followed by the maintenance phase. Learn more about its four components below.

Manual Lymph Drainage is a gentle, hands-on massage technique designed to stimulate the natural flow of lymph fluid in the affected limb. It involves light, rhythmic stretching of the skin, starting from the surrounding healthy areas to help clear a pathway for fluid drainage.

This therapy should be performed by a certified lymphedema therapist, who can also guide you in learning self-massage techniques for ongoing care. Even after swelling has improved, regular MLD is important to keep lymphatic channels open and maintain fluid movement.

Please note: MLD is not recommended for individuals with swelling caused by heart failure or kidney problems.

Compression therapy involves wrapping the affected limb with multi-layer bandages that apply graduated pressure—tighter at the bottom and gradually looser toward the top—to help guide lymph fluid back toward the heart. This applies to both legs and arms.

Your lymphedema therapist may need to adjust the bandaging over time as the size of your limb changes. After surgery, your limb volume may fluctuate for a few weeks, and bandaging will continue until it stabilises. At that point, you’ll transition to wearing a custom-fitted compression garment.

Wearing your compression garment daily is essential to maintain results and prevent the swelling from returning.

Physical activity plays a key role in supporting lymphatic flow—especially when done while wearing your compression garment. The natural movement of your muscles helps pump lymph fluid through the tissues.

Both cardiovascular and strength-training exercises are beneficial, but it’s important to start slow and increase intensity gradually. For best results and safety, we recommend working with a physiotherapist to develop a personalised exercise plan tailored to your needs.

Lymphedema can make the skin dry and fragile, so it’s important to moisturize regularly to keep the skin soft and healthy—especially if you’re wearing a compression garment, as this helps prevent irritation and friction damage.

Take extra care to protect your skin from cuts, scrapes, and insect bites, as the affected area is more prone to infection. If you do get a minor injury, clean it well, apply antibiotic cream, and monitor for signs of infection such as redness, swelling, or fever. Seek medical attention if any of these symptoms appear.