Mike..

[Guest guest]

Hi Mike,

I'm hoping you might have some ideas for me...My very best friend in the

world is suffering from Ascites and Oedema secondary to liver damage...is

there any pressure point therapy that may help drain some of the

fluid...particularly in the legs without disrupting fluid/protein levels in

the body? There's a two month wait for outpaitents at the local hospital!

Cheers

Roachie

Roachie

[Guest guest]

My very best friend...is suffering from Ascites and Oedema secondary

to liver damage...is there any pressure point therapy that may help

drain some of the fluid...particularly in the legs without

disrupting fluid/protein levels in the body?

------------

Pressure point therapy is not a modality I would recommend for what

you describe. The proper approach would be lymhatic drainage. And

yes, it can be used to drain the fluid in the legs. But with the

liver damage, I think it needs to be done by a practitioner who

REALLY knows what they are doing.

Without knowing more detail about your friend's condition, there is

only ONE practitioner listed for Australia that I would be

comfortable recommending:

Jill Griffiths

Melbourne, 3054 Australia

Tel: 011 61 3 93806450

Profile: none

Lymph Drainage Therapy

Classes: IAA1 LBGT LCC1 LDT1 LDT2 LDT3

There are five other listings for levels 1 and 2 (which is what I

have) but I would prefer someone with more advanced training. In

addition to having level 3, Jill Griffiths has also had specific,

advanced training in lymphedema work and bandaging.

Just as a little background for you, edema (US spelling) or Oedema

(for you English speakers with the funny accents) is basically a

swelling caused by a fluid build-up. Simple so far. The

complications come in depending on the condition of the lymphatic

system.

Again in basic terms, the lymph build-up is a reaction of the body's

immune system to fight off infection, remove waste products, etc.

The lymphatic system is a secondary system to the arterial/veinous

system but with its own vessels. But unlike the blood, it does not

have a pump like the heart to move it along. This means the body

has a limited capacity to move lymph. Edemea/Oedema results when

the build-up of lymph exceeds the body's transport system. This is a

temporary situation; the body will catch up and the swelling will go

down.

The real problems come in when there are damaged or surgically

removed lymph nodes and the body's lymph collection/processing

system gets compromised. In this case, the body can't catch up and

the result is lymphedema. This is a very serious condition,

requiring specialized training to manage. But it can be managed.

I don't know how close your friend is to Melbourne but an

appointment with Jill Griffiths would be my recommendation. If the

distance is too great, a phone consultation, if possible, might also

be a good idea. Again, my big concern is the condition of the

lymphatic system. The oedema may be because of the liver damage,

but has the lymphatic system itself been compromised? That is the

real issue on training level needed to do the work.

Basic lymphatic drainage to reduce swelling in the leg is simple -

any competent level 1 could do it, say for something like a sprained

ankle or knee. But everything changes if the system is damaged.

Seriousness of the condition, and risks, increase dramatically.