LDT versus MLD?

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Nitocris
Nitocris Member Posts: 187
edited June 2014 in Lymphedema

Hello Ladies, 

I have a question concerning  Lymph Drainage Treatments.  I recently came across an article in which  Lymph Drainage Therapy (LDT) and Manual Lymphatic Mapping (MDM) were mentioned.   I know that there are different schools of lymphatic drainage, the more frequently used and better known being the Vodder method,  which is the one mostly here in Finland . I found some information about this method: LDT was developed by Bruno Chikly, who seems to be quite well known in the USA??;  it  "uses traditional lymphatic drainage techniques but brings a new level of precision as it  enables practitioners to detect the specific rhythm, direction, depth and quality of the lymphatic flow.  Manual Lymphatic Mapping  is somewhat a breakthrough in the field of lymph drainage because trained practitioners can identify the specific direction of a patient's deep or superficial lymphatic circulation using only their hands....

More than 1500 therapists have the LDT qualification in the US, so I was wondering if some of you have tried it  and if so, what were the results?  If you had both therapies -  LDT and the "more traditional" Manual Lymph Drainage - did you notice significant differences like a faster/better volume reduction?...

Thanks for your inputs

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  • kira66715
    kira66715 Member Posts: 4,681
    edited March 2011

    Nitocris, a few women on this forum have gone to Chikly therapists, and then, for some reason, they tend not to post again. My therapist, who is Klose and Vodder trained, just can't figure out how they "know" how to map your lymphatics. But, she thinks that patients feel more in control with this method.

    Kira

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  • Nitocris
    Nitocris Member Posts: 187
    edited March 2011

    I was a bit curious about the "mapping" and looked for more information, but did not find anything recent on this topic. Thanks for your answer Kira.

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  • sisterinspirit
    sisterinspirit Member Posts: 204
    edited March 2011

    Nitocris,

    I sometimes go to a Chilky massage therapist, primarily because he is located in my home town, whereas my LANA certified PT is located 150 miles away (300 mi r/t).  The Chilkey trained therapist does LDT, using a VERY light touch.  His pattern of massage is the same as my PT.  Sometimes I wonder how so light of a touch can be beneficial, but I have been amazed at the number of times he has been able to reduce my discomfort. I don't know about the mapping part or if my MT can "see" the flow of lymph Chilkey claims, but it is helpful to to have someone local to supplement what my PT does.   I rely on my PT to oversee the treatment regimine and make recommendations for compression, measure for sleeves, etc.   She uses the whole toolbox for treatment...intensive, wrapping, MLD and exercises and has many years of experience in treatintg LE patients.  

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  • Nitocris
    Nitocris Member Posts: 187
    edited March 2011

    Thank you for you post sisterinspirit.  I am quite new to LE,  and I am looking for all kinds of options for treatment.  No Chikly therapist around here anyway!

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  • Alyson
    Alyson Member Posts: 4,308
    edited March 2011

    Just to say my LE PT uses both methods. she is recently Vodder trained but was orginally LDT trained. Her touch is so light but wonderful and relieves the swelling so much.

    Today I am having problems with swelling from Rheumatoid Arthritis as well as the truncal LE and she used taping to try to drain some of the areas around my knees and elbows. It feels so good.

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