Flexitouch in Clinical Practice
Studies show that in-clinic manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) therapy, a key component of complete decongestive therapy (CDT), is a highly effective method for the treatment of lymphedema. After the patient is discharged, however, the initial benefits of CDT often diminish or are lost completely over time if the patient is unable to perform self-MLD therapy and/or other prescribed treatment components consistently and effectively on their own.
The Flexitouch system minimizes the barriers to successful self-management by automating self-MLD. The Flexitouch system can be used in place of, or in tandem with, self-MLD and other treatment components, enabling patients to maintain reductions in limb and/or truncal volume between clinic follow-up visits.
Different by Design
The Flexitouch system was developed by a certified lymphedema therapist and is currently the only pneumatic device that simulates MLD therapy.
- The patented method of Preparation and Drainage™ prepares and decongests the trunk prior to draining the fluid from the affected area. This approach reduces the risk of adverse events associated with more traditional compression pumps.
- The 26-32 inflatable, stretch-fabric chambers of the Flexitouch system provide light, variable pressure to the trunk and affected areas, simulating the work-and-release action of a therapist’s hand movements against the skin.
- The 1-3 second sequential inflation and deflation cycles and curved design of the garments stimulate functioning lymphatics to move and direct the lymph fluid along existing pathways.