Illustration of a woman finding relief from lymphedema through Endermologie treatment.

Lymphedema Relief: Comparing Endermologie and Decongestive Therapy

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Rhea Morgan in Health & Wellness December 2025 • 4 min read.

"A head-to-head study reveals which technique offers better results for post-mastectomy lymphedema."


Lymphedema, or arm swelling, is a common and challenging issue for many women after mastectomy. It occurs when the lymphatic system is disrupted, leading to fluid accumulation in the arm. Finding effective treatments to reduce swelling and improve arm function is crucial for these women's quality of life.

Decongestive Lymphatic Therapy (DLT) is a well-established approach that combines skin care, manual lymphatic drainage, exercise, and compression therapy. It's considered a standard treatment, but researchers are always exploring new options to improve outcomes.

Endermologie, a machine-assisted massage technique, has emerged as a potential alternative. This method uses rollers and controlled suction to mobilize tissue. A recent study investigated whether Endermologie could offer comparable or even superior results to DLT in managing post-mastectomy lymphedema.

Endermologie vs. DLT: Which Treatment Reduces Lymphedema More Effectively?

Illustration of a woman finding relief from lymphedema through Endermologie treatment.

The study involved forty women who had developed lymphedema after breast cancer treatment. They were divided into two groups: one receiving Endermologie and the other receiving DLT. The Endermologie group had treatments four days a week for four weeks. Both groups also received skin care, pneumatic compression therapy, short-stretch bandaging, and exercise.

Researchers measured limb volume, pain levels, and shoulder range of motion (flexion and abduction) before and after the four-week treatment period. These measurements helped determine how effective each therapy was in reducing lymphedema and improving function.

  • Limb Volume Reduction: The Endermologie group showed a significantly greater reduction in limb volume compared to the DLT group (p < 0.001).
  • Pain Reduction: Endermologie also led to a more significant decrease in pain levels compared to DLT (p < 0.001).
  • Improved Range of Motion: Women in the Endermologie group experienced greater improvements in shoulder flexion and abduction compared to those in the DLT group (p < 0.001).
These results suggest that Endermologie could be a valuable tool in managing post-mastectomy lymphedema, potentially offering greater benefits than traditional DLT in terms of reducing swelling, alleviating pain, and improving arm mobility.

The Future of Lymphedema Management: Is Endermologie the Answer?

This study offers promising evidence for the use of Endermologie as a safe and effective treatment for post-mastectomy lymphedema. It suggests that Endermologie may provide superior outcomes compared to DLT, the current standard of care.

While Endermologie shows promise, it's important to remember that lymphedema treatment should be tailored to the individual. A combination of therapies might be the best approach for some women.

Further research is needed to explore the long-term effects of Endermologie and to identify which patients are most likely to benefit from this technique. However, these findings offer hope for women seeking relief from the challenges of post-mastectomy lymphedema.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.4172/2165-7025.1000155, Alternate LINK

Title: Endermologie Technique Versus Decongestive Lymphatic Therapy On Post-Mastectomy Related Lymphedema

Subject: General Medicine

Journal: Journal of Novel Physiotherapies

Publisher: OMICS Publishing Group

Authors: Emad T Ahmed

Published: 2013-01-01

Everything You Need To Know

1

What exactly is Decongestive Lymphatic Therapy, or DLT, and how does it help with lymphedema?

Decongestive Lymphatic Therapy, or DLT, is a comprehensive treatment for lymphedema. It includes several key components: meticulous skin care to prevent infections, manual lymphatic drainage to redirect fluid, targeted exercises to encourage lymphatic flow, and compression therapy using bandages or garments to reduce swelling. DLT is widely recognized as a standard approach for managing lymphedema, aiming to reduce swelling and improve the patient's quality of life. While DLT is effective, researchers continue to explore new methods to enhance its outcomes.

2

Could you explain Endermologie and how it's used in the context of lymphedema treatment?

Endermologie is a machine-assisted massage technique that uses rollers and controlled suction to mobilize tissue. This process aims to stimulate lymphatic drainage and reduce swelling. Endermologie is being investigated as a potential alternative or supplementary treatment for lymphedema, particularly in post-mastectomy patients. The goal is to improve lymphatic flow and reduce limb volume. It is often combined with other standard treatments.

3

How was Endermologie compared to Decongestive Lymphatic Therapy, or DLT, in the study?

A recent study compared Endermologie and Decongestive Lymphatic Therapy, or DLT, in forty women with post-mastectomy lymphedema. The participants were divided into two groups, one receiving Endermologie and the other receiving DLT. Both groups also received skin care, pneumatic compression therapy, short-stretch bandaging, and exercise. The study measured limb volume, pain levels, and shoulder range of motion before and after the four-week treatment period to determine the effectiveness of each therapy.

4

What were the main findings of the study comparing Endermologie and Decongestive Lymphatic Therapy, or DLT, for treating lymphedema?

The study revealed that the Endermologie group experienced a significantly greater reduction in limb volume and pain levels compared to the Decongestive Lymphatic Therapy, or DLT, group. Additionally, women in the Endermologie group showed greater improvements in shoulder flexion and abduction. These findings suggest that Endermologie could be a valuable tool in managing post-mastectomy lymphedema, potentially offering better outcomes than traditional DLT.

5

What are the next steps in researching the use of Endermologie for lymphedema, and what questions still need to be answered?

While the study indicates promising results for Endermologie in treating post-mastectomy lymphedema, further research is needed to fully understand its long-term effects and optimal application. Future studies could explore the ideal duration and frequency of Endermologie treatments, as well as its effectiveness for different stages and types of lymphedema. Additionally, research could investigate the combined use of Endermologie with other therapies to achieve the best possible outcomes for patients. Such studies might also explore the effects of Endermologie for lymphedema resulting from causes other than mastectomy.

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