This document provides information about using massage to treat edema. It defines edema as abnormal fluid accumulation that can have underlying local or systemic causes. Massage is described as an effective treatment when combined with elevation, exercise, and compression. Specific massage techniques are outlined for different types of edema, including soft edema and consolidated edema. Examples of conditions that can cause edema, like radical mastectomy and venous ulcers, are described along with positioning and massage techniques for treating edema in those areas. The overall aim of the massage is to reduce edema, mobilize soft tissue, and improve circulation.

1. MASSAGE FOR OEDEMA
By Dr. Rima Jani PT
(BPT, MPT)

2. WHAT IS OEDEMA?
•OEDEMA IS AN ABNORMAL ACCUMULATION OF FLUID BENEATH THE SKIN ALL
CAVITIES OF THE BODY.
•IT IS NOT A DISEASE BUT A SIGN USUALLY FOR UNDERLYING LOCAL OR SYSTEMIC
DISEASE.
•IT IS SEEN AS SWELLING WHEN THE NORMAL MECHANISM FOR MAINTAINING A
BALANCE BETWEEN FLUID IN THE TISSUE AND IN THE BLOOD IS UPSET.
•THIS BALANCE DEPENDS MAINLY ON THE BP WHICH KEEPS THE BLOOD
FLOWING THROUGH THE CIRCULATORY SYSTEM.

5. THERE ARE TWO EXTREME OF OEDEMA:
1.SOFTER, MOBILE AND USUALLY ACUTE
2.CONSOLIDATED, INDURATED AND LONGER LASTING.
THE EARLIER IT CAN BE TREATED THE BETTER THE RESULT TO BE.

6. •IT IS OFTEN COMBINED WEIGHT ELEVATION, ACTIVE EXERCISE, PASSIVE MOVEMENTS
AND ELASTIC COMPRESSION TO HAVE THE LASTING EFFECT.
•ANY RESTRICTIVE CLOTHING SHOULD BE REMOVED FROM AREA PROXIMAL TO
OEDEMA IN ORDER TO PROVIDE A RESISTANCE FREE DRAINAGE PATHWAY.
•THE OEDEMATOUS PART SHOULD BE KEPT IN ELEVATED POSITION BY PILLOWS
PLACEMENTS, ELEVATION BED ENDS OR BY THE SUSPENSION SLING FOR HEAVY LIMBS.
•THE POSITION SHOULD BE MAINTAINED FOR 15 TO 30 MINUTES BEFORE THE
MASSAGE IS ADMINISTERED, SO THAT THE GRAVITY WILL ASSIST THE DRAINAGE.
PROCEDURE

7. The patient is instructed to perform the breathing exercise
throughout the treatment. Deep inspiration decreases the
negative pleasure of the media sternum which facilitates the
flow of lymph and venous blood from the adjacent parts
towards the centre at high-pressure.
INSTRUCTIONS

8. TECHNIQUE:
•KNEADING,
•EFFLEURAGE,
•PICKING UP AND
•FRICTION

9. SOFT OEDEMA
•VIBRATION WITH SINGLE HANDED FOLLOWED BY DOUBLE
HANDED FOLLOWED BY KNEADING.
•THE EFFLEURAGE IS USED FREQUENTLY ALONG WITH
LIGHT KNEADING.

10. CONSOLIDATED OEDEMA/ ENDURATED OEDEMA
•DEEP KNEADING WITH SINGLE HAND FOLLOWED BY
•DOUBLE HANDED KNEADING FOLLOWED BY
•FRICTION AND
•EFFLEURAGE.

11. STEPS OF MASSAGE
•THE PROXIMAL AREA SHOULD BE DRAINED FIRST
•THEN THE DISTAL AREA IS APPROACHED.
•TO END WITH THE WHOLE AREA SHOULD BE DRAINED
ONCE AGAIN.

12. RADICAL MASTECTOMY
VENOUS ULCERS
GRAVITATIONAL AND
PARALYTIC OEDEMA
CONDITIONS LIKE ARM OEDEMA

13. RADICAL MASTECTOMY
•IT IS RESECTION OF BREAST TISSUE ALONG WITH ITS LYMPHATIC
GLANDS FOR MALIGNANT TUMORS.
•FOR THIS CONDITION POSITION OF PATIENT IS SUPINE LYING OR SIDE
LYING FOR ARM MASSAGE.

14. VENOUS ULCER
CHRONIC VENOUS CONGESTION PERSISTS DUE TO INCOMPETENCY OF
THE VALVE AND FAILURE OF CALF MUSCLE PUMP SLOWS DOWN THE
BLOOD FLOW AND DIMINISHED NUTRITION OF THE PART. AS A RESULT
OF WHICH CELLS NECROSE.
SKIN BREAKS DOWN AND ULCER IS PRODUCED.

15. AIM
•TO REDUCE OEDEMA
•TO MOBILISE SOFT TISSUE.
•TO IMPROVE CIRCULATION.

16. POSITION OF THE PATIENT
•ALL BANDAGES AND DRESSING ARE REMOVED, THE WOUND
SHOULD BE CLEANED WITH ANTISEPTIC SOLUTION.
•IT SHOULD BE COVERED WITH STERILE GAUZE BEFORE THE
APPLICATION OF MASSAGE.
•LOWER LIMB SHOULD BE WELL SUPPORTED AND ELEVATED.

17. TECHNIQUE
•EFFLEURAGE
•KNEADING
•PICKING UP
•WRINGING &
•FRICTION

18. THANK YOU