Therapeutic Taping for Lymphatic Drainage

Many high profile and everyday athletes are realizing the benefits of therapeutic taping. One very useful purpose is for supporting lymphatic drainage and to reduce edema. Therapeutic taping has analgesic effects as well as benefits for decreasing inflammation and bruising.

Theory and Physiology

(Taken from Applications of Taping: Lymphatic to Pediatric by Kenzo Kase, DC , Dynamic Chiropractic Volume 33, No. 3)

Elastic therapeutic taping also works on the surface continuously over a long period of therapy, affecting the epidermis, the dermis and the capillaries. It works with massage, chiropractic treatment, PT treatment, and myofascial type treatment; in fact they are all associated. Circulation of blood and other fluids is a key to total health. The size (number) and length of the capillary system is massive and runs between the epidermis and dermis as an extensive and effective cleaning system in the body. The function of the cleaning system in the organs is to clean the body by removing impurities. Damage to the capillary area may also cause internal bleeding.²

Lymphatic / Inflammation Taping

Photos courtesy of Thien Dang-Tan, DC. Mechanism of Action: The lymphatic correction with elastic therapeutic taping is used to reduce edema by directing fluid toward a less congested lymphatic pathway and lymph node. The elasticity and lifting effect of the tape decreases pressure, and may also create a massaging action during active motion. The effect of the taping on muscle is to normalize the lymphatics by allowing maximum contraction and relaxation of the muscle.

Edema and inflammation may occur when an increase in circulatory activity of the blood leaves the lymphatic systemEffects of lymphatic taping for six days after initial taping. Photos courtesy of Thien Dang-Tan, DC.unable to keep pace. The cause may be trauma, infection, an autoimmune reaction such as rheumatoid arthritis, or 

excessive heat. Once inflammation occurs, it increases pressure on the touch receptors. The increased pressure in the superficial layers, and lack of skin movement, in turn may inhibit lymphatic receptors and increase edema.³

Research: Studies support the use of elastic therapeutic taping for lymphoedema. In a 2007 Polish study, researchers found that "assessment of the efficiency of an upper limb in women after mastectomy shows a 20-day cycle of improvement with the use of lymphatic applications of the [elastic therapeutic taping] method, [with considerable reduction of oedema lymphatic,] which increases range of motion and normalization of muscular tension, contributing to the increase of muscular strength."

The study concluded, "Lymphatic applications accelerate lymphatic and venous microcirculation, and reduce the stasis of lymph in intercellular spaces. Decrease of oedema contributes to the improvement of movement range in all joints of an upper limb and normalization of muscular tension contributing to the increase of muscular strength."⁴

A randomized, single-blinded, controlled 2009 study of 41 patients in Taiwan suggested elastic therapeutic tape "could replace the bandage in decongestive lymphatic therapy, and it could be an alternative choice for the breast-cancer-related lymphedema patient."⁵ And Polish researchers studying 24 patients in 2009 found that "the application of [elastic therapeutic taping] in the study group produced a significantly faster reduction of the edema compared to standard lymphatic massage."⁶

Therapeutic taping can help you to heal from injuries!