RLD - A Natural Non-Invasive Treatment for Lymphoedema
It's official! Following the submission and review of my case work I'm now one of only a few approved practitioners of the Sally Kay Reflexology Lymph Drainage (RLD) Technique in Norfolk.
Additional qualifications are always great achieve, and I love to continue learning, but this one is particularly important because of what RLD is and who it's primarily designed to help.
🎀 RLD is a unique sequence developed by Sally Kay during her time working in cancer care after her observations of the effects of Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) on lymphoedema.
🎀 RLD is a light touch, soothing Reflexology treatment applied to the feet or hands. It has all the restorative benefits of traditional Reflexology, but it focuses specifically on stimulating the lymphatic reflexes on the feet. The aim is to cause an effect on the lymphatic system in the body, and from the many hours of treatment I've completed, I can say that it really does.
🎀 Breast Cancer is the most common cancer in the UK. According to Cancer Research UK (2011), the lifetime risk of developing it in the UK is 1:8 for women and 1:1014 for men. Approximately 20% of these patients develop secondary lymphoedema (painful tissue swelling) of the arm following treatment for breast cancer.
🎀 In cases of Secondary Lymphoedema the fluid loss seen after Reflexology Lymph Drainage treatment is often physically measurable and many people find that it's marked even after one session. The practitioner is trained to measure the affected limb before and after treatment which, if necessary or desired, enables progress and improvement to be tracked easily.
🎀 Lymphoedema can also manifest in the legs as part of other health conditions and this can lead to mobility issues causing additional health concerns. Like treatment for Secondary Lymphodema in the upper limbs, RLD can be applied to the feet or hands only requiring the client to remove their shoes and socks.
🎀 Lymphoedema is life limiting for many and has far reaching physical and psychological effects. Research suggests that cancer survivors with lymphoedema are more likely to suffer psychological and emotional difficulties, be more disabled, and experience a poorer quality of life than survivors without the condition. In terms of holistic health, this is not full recovery.
🎀 The current treatment and management of Lymphoedema includes Manual Lymphatic Drainage and the use of compression garments which some people can find uncomfortable and unsightly to wear.
🎀 RLD research was supported by the NHS Local Health Board Research Ethics Committee (REC) and carried out by Cardiff Metropolitan University👌.
🎀 Following it's use, it's now thought that RLD could also be useful in conditions that respond well to MLD such as:
Arthritis
Asthma
Eczema
Chronic fatigue syndrome / ME
Fibromyalgia
Sinus problems
Migraines
Headaches
Muscular tension
Aches and pains
Premenstrual Syndrome
Inflammatory & autoimmune disorders
If you would like to learn more about Reflexology Lymph Drainage, or book a treatment with me please get in touch via my contact page here on the website or call me on 01362 861 334 / 07775 686 571.
If you have mobility issues or are concerned about getting out to have treatment, please ask to discuss the option of home visits with me.
Finally, you can find out more information about Reflexology for Lymphodema, Sally Kay and the research behind RLD here.
In the meantime, for clients is wanting to measure the progress of their Lymphodema treatment this brief video demonstrates how simple and easy the measuring process is...