Body Therapy for Edema

Conrad Lorenz

Last update: 14.08.2019

Multimodal treatment of edema includes the methods of anthroposophic body therapy. Classical lymph drainage is used to mobilize fluids, while rhythmical massage therapy stimulates life processes within the body’s tissues. Consequently, anthroposophic body therapy focusses primarily on the stimulation of the patient’s life organization, rather than just manually treating the physical body.

Peripheral edema

  • Lymphatic drainage
    Manual decongestion and mobilization for edema and anasarca. If necessary, complex decongestion therapy, for example in case of chronic arm edema.

  • Rhythmical massage therapy
    Stimulation of “tissue breathing” in the fluid organism through qualities of touch and movement that are compressing and releasing.
    See also: Rhythmical massage therapy for Ascites: https://www.anthromedics.org/PRA-0769-EN

 

Research news

Non-pharmacological interventions with good clinical evidence for chemotherapy-induced neuropathy 
Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is the most common side effect for oncology patients. Therefore, their interest in complementary non-pharmacological therapies is high. A current scoping review presents the clinical evidence of therapies used in this context. Relevant studies published between 2000 and 2021 were analyzed. The panel of authors identified 17 supportive interventions, which they included in their assessment. Most were phytotherapeutic interventions including external applications and cryotherapy, hydrotherapy, and tactile stimulation. More than two-thirds of the consented interventions were rated with moderate to high perceived clinical effectiveness in therapeutic use. Therefore, the experts endorse these complementary procedures for the supportive treatment of CIPN. The review is available at: 
https://doi.org/10.3390/medsci11010015.


Further information on Anthroposophic Medicine