Compression Therapy

Bandages being wrapped around a foot and calf

In Phase I of Complex Decongestive Therapy (CDT), compression therapy is used to reduce the static fluid/swelling with use of short stretch bandaging of the affected body part. CDT should only be performed by Certified lymphedema specialists.    

Short-stretch bandages in the form of multilayer bandaging are used to apply a gradient force on the affected limb to allow for proper drainage of lymphatic fluid, also known as, “decongesting”.  Once the affected body part is decongested, then the patient will transition into phase II- maintenance.