What is LymphaTouch®?
LymphaTouch® is a treatment device that uses controlled negative pressure to gently lift the skin and tissues underneath, rather than pressing down into them. The pressure can be adjusted and combined with gentle vibration. This gives us a different way to work with swelling, scars, sensitive or restricted tissues, and areas recovering after injury or surgery.
At GROW Clinic, LymphaTouch® is one of the tools we may use as part of your osteopathic treatment, when it is right for you.
Why use negative pressure?
Hands-on treatment usually works by applying pressure, stretch or movement. LymphaTouch® works differently, by gently lifting rather than pressing down on the tissues. The pressure, pulse and vibration can be adjusted to suit the area being treated and how your tissues respond. This can be useful when working with swelling, scar tissue and areas where the skin and tissues don’t move as freely as we’d like.
We start with you, not the machine. Your assessment helps us decide whether LymphaTouch® may be useful as part of your osteopathic treatment.
LymphaTouch® and scar tissue
Scar tissue is a normal part of healing, but scars don’t always move in the same way as the tissues around them. Some can feel tight, sensitive, numb, firm or restricted, and the tissues beneath a scar may not move as freely as they once did. Rather than pressing into the scar, LymphaTouch® gently lifts the scar and surrounding tissues. The treatment head can then be moved in different directions to work with areas that are less mobile.
It can be used when working with scars following caesarean birth, abdominal or pelvic surgery, orthopaedic or keyhole surgery, cancer surgery and other injuries or procedures. This may include scar restriction following breast or other cancer surgery, and cording (axillary web syndrome) where appropriate.
Treatment around a healing scar may sometimes begin earlier, but we won’t use LymphaTouch® directly over an open wound, stitches, or an infected or inflamed scar. Treatment directly over the scar can often begin once it is fully closed and well healed, commonly around 6–8 weeks.
Importantly, not every scar needs treating. We look at how your scar feels and moves, whether it is sensitive or uncomfortable, and whether it appears to be affecting your movement or function. This helps us decide whether treatment is needed and whether LymphaTouch® is the right tool for it.
What about swelling after surgery or injury?
Swelling is a normal part of healing. Sometimes, though, it can hang around, feel uncomfortable or make it harder to move freely. LymphaTouch® can be used when working with areas of swelling after surgery or injury. The pressure and technique are adjusted to suit the area and what feels comfortable for you.
New, unexpected or unexplained swelling needs to be assessed first, especially if the area is hot, red or painful, or you feel unwell. Where appropriate, LymphaTouch® may be used as part of your osteopathic treatment, alongside movement, exercise, hands-on treatment and advice for home.
What does LymphaTouch® treatment feel like?
Treatment should feel gentle and comfortable. You may feel light suction, lifting or pulling as the treatment head moves across your skin. We start gently and can change the pressure at any time. Treatment should not be painful. Negative pressure can sometimes leave temporary redness or mild marks, so we check your skin and how the area feels throughout treatment.
Is LymphaTouch® suitable for everyone?
Not always. We won’t use LymphaTouch® over open wounds, active infection or areas that are very inflamed. Some health conditions need extra care, including problems with your circulation, heart or kidneys, a suspected or recent blood clot, and active cancer.
If you have active cancer or are currently having cancer treatment, we may need to speak with your GP, consultant or cancer care team before deciding whether treatment is right for you. We’ll ask about your health and medication and assess the area first, so LymphaTouch® is only used when it is safe and appropriate for you.
How many treatments will I need?
There isn’t a set number. Everyone heals and responds differently, so we’ll look at how you feel, how the tissues are changing and whether treatment is helping you move or function more comfortably. There are no fixed LymphaTouch® treatment packages at GROW Clinic. We’ll review how you respond and decide together whether more treatment would be useful.
What if I think LymphaTouch® could help me?
Book the appointment that best matches what you need help with, such as Scar & Surgical Recovery, Osteopathy or Postnatal Care. We’ll assess you first and, where appropriate, LymphaTouch® may be included as part of your osteopathic treatment.
Not sure which appointment to choose? Get in touch and we’ll help point you in the right direction.
Research and further reading
LymphaTouch® and negative pressure therapy are being studied in areas including swelling, scar treatment and recovery after surgery or injury.
Want to find out more? Click on any of the titles below to read the research.
1. LymphaTouch® UK: Scar Therapy
Information from the manufacturer about LymphaTouch® and scar treatment.
2. Negative pressure therapy and scar thickness and elasticity: PubMed
Research into the effects of different levels of negative pressure on scar tissue.
3. LymphaTouch® after elbow surgery: PubMed Central
A randomised controlled trial comparing negative pressure therapy and manual lymphatic drainage after elbow surgery.
4. LymphaTouch® after knee replacement: PubMed Central
A randomised controlled trial comparing LymphaTouch® negative pressure therapy with manual lymphatic drainage for swelling after knee replacement surgery.
5. LymphaTouch® in burn scar rehabilitation: British Burn Association
Research presented on the use of negative pressure therapy with adherent burn scars.
Michelle Miller
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