Clinical evidence on success of Endermologie massage on post-mastectomy lymphedema
If you or anyone you know is dealing with lymphoedema after a mastectomy, then it’s worth reading this study: ‘Effectiveness of Endermologie Technique in Post-Mastectomy Lymphedema’, Med. J. Cairo Univ., Vol. 79, No. 2, December: 1-4, 2011.
In the study, 40 women who had been treated for unilateral breast cancer with secondary upper limb lymphoedema post mastectomy were divided into two groups. One group received Endermologie therapy sessions twice weekly for 4 weeks with compression bandaging while the control group received compression bandaging only.
Below are excepts from the findings: “The results of this study showed … the decrease of the arm circumference were significantly higher in the group (who) received the Endermologie treatment which may be due to facilitation of the lymphatic drainage from the affected limb by the use of the mechanized treatment head that allow continuous folding and unfolding of the skin under the continuous action of the rollers allowing for smooth and regulated deep tissue mobilisation. As the viscosity of the subcutaneous fat layer decreases, blood flow and lymphatic drainage increase, facilitating the elimination of excess fluid and metabolites and improving overall cellular function … the Ender-mologie protocol induced additional subjective benefits reported by the patients in terms of an improvement in arm range of movement, decrease of accompanied pain and softening of fibrotic tissues of the swollen upper limb.”
“It can be concluded that Endermologie therapy for a post-mastectomy upper limb lymphedema induced both objective improvement in the form of decrease upper limb swelling and subjective improvements in the form of decreased pain and improved the mobility of the affected limb. Upon the results of the current study Endermologie therapy can be recommended to patients with upper limb secondary lymphedema as a safe therapy without side effects.”
