Evaluation of Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy and Complex Decongestive Therapy Results in Patients With Lipedema

Shock wave therapy is a new modality for the improvement of cellulite and lipedema; it is an easy, noninvasive, local therapy, without side effects, with short periods of application. Its original idea was the stimulation of lipid mobilization and improved lipolysis in areas with edema.

Complex decongestive therapy (CDT) is one of the most important treatment modalities of choice for patients with this clinical condition. CDT has two phases: treatment and maintenance. The first stage consists of skin care, manual lymph drainage, kinesiotherapy and bandaging of the limb. Drainage can facilitate the return of lymphatic flow by stimulating the cisterna chyli. Next, kinesiotherapy is applied, which aims to activate the lymph. Finally, the limb is moistened and then a compressive bandage is applied aimed at creating a pressure gradient towards the areas where lymph absorption is greater. The second phase continues skin care, physical exercises and external compression applications using bandages with varying degrees of elasticity.