Lymphatic care glossary

A reusable compression item with adjustable overlapping straps. It requires appropriate sizing, fit, and instructions for use.¹

Lymphedema associated with cancer or treatment affecting lymph nodes, vessels, or nearby tissue.² Read the guide.

A bacterial infection of skin and deeper tissue. Increasing warmth, redness, pain, swelling, fever, or feeling unwell needs prompt medical assessment.³

A credential awarded after meeting a school’s or certifying organization’s requirements. It is distinct from registration in a regulated profession.⁴

Recommendations for a defined health topic and population. Their value depends on the evidence and methods used to develop them.

A coordinated lymphedema management approach combining compression, skin care, movement, education, self-management, and selected manual techniques. It often includes reduction and maintenance phases.^1,5

Layers of bandages applied to help manage swelling. Appropriate assessment, application, and follow-up are important; incorrect bandaging can be harmful.^1,6

A fitted sleeve, stocking, glove, or similar item that applies external pressure. Construction, pressure, and fit are selected for the purpose and person.^1,2

A financial, professional, or other interest that could influence judgement. Disclosure helps readers assess its relevance.⁷

A document recording expert agreement on a subject, often where research is incomplete or practice varies. It is not equivalent to a systematic review.¹

Non-surgical management, such as compression, movement, skin care, education, or symptom treatment.^1,8

A clot in a deep vein. New one-sided swelling with pain, warmth, or tenderness needs prompt assessment. A clot can travel to the lungs; call 911 for sudden shortness of breath, chest pain, coughing up blood, or fainting.⁹

A term for multi-part lymphedema care that overlaps with CDT. Components commonly include compression, drainage, skin care, exercise, and self-management.⁶

An entry in a provider or service directory. Inclusion criteria vary; a listing is not proof of registration, suitability, or insurance coverage.⁴

Swelling from fluid collecting in tissues. Lymphatic problems are one of several possible causes.¹

Confidence in a research estimate, considering bias, consistency, precision, applicability, and missing evidence.¹⁰

Private or employer-sponsored coverage for specified health expenses. Eligible providers, products, and reimbursement limits depend on the policy.¹¹

Thickening or hardening associated with increased fibrous connective tissue. It can occur with longstanding lymphedema and other conditions.¹

How well research findings apply beyond the population and setting studied. Also called applicability.

A chronic condition involving disproportionate fatty tissue, usually in the legs and sometimes arms, with possible pain, tenderness, and easy bruising.^8,12 Read the guide.

Fluid collected from tissues and carried through lymphatic vessels. Its contents vary with the region and circumstances.¹

Small immune structures along lymphatic routes that receive lymph from nearby tissues and support immune responses.²

The Chikly Health Institute’s name for its manual-therapy training approach. It is distinct from decongestive lymphatic therapy.¹³

A network that returns fluid and proteins to the bloodstream and contributes to immune function.¹ How it works.

Swelling and tissue changes associated with impaired lymph transport. It can involve limbs, the trunk, genitals, or head and neck.^1,2 Read the guide.

A technique using light, directed movements on the skin. It may form part of a broader lymphedema management plan.^1,2

An explanation of how a treatment might work. A plausible mechanism does not by itself establish a benefit in patients.¹⁴

A measure used to assess change, such as swelling, pain, movement, daily function, or quality of life.

A temporary dent left by pressure on swollen tissue. It can occur with several causes of edema and does not establish a diagnosis.¹

A pump and inflatable garment that apply pressure in a programmed sequence. Suitability, settings, and monitoring require individual guidance.^1,2

Lymphedema related to developmental or genetic differences in the lymphatic system. It can first appear at different ages.¹

Services paid through provincial, territorial, or other public programs, each with its own coverage and eligibility rules.¹⁵

How health affects the parts of life that matter to a person, including comfort, activity, relationships, and emotional wellbeing.

A study assigning participants to comparison groups by chance. Reliability still depends on methods, sample size, follow-up, and other sources of bias.¹⁴

A request or recommendation for assessment or care by another professional or service. It does not guarantee coverage or an appointment.

A profession governed by law and a regulatory body in a province or territory, with requirements for practice, titles, and accountability.^4,16

Formal status permitting practice or use of a protected professional title under a jurisdiction’s rules. Current status can be checked with the regulator.^4,16

Lymphedema following an acquired change, such as surgery, radiation, injury, infection, or another disease process.¹

Skills and routines used between appointments, such as skin care, movement, compression, and individually taught techniques.^5,6

A review using planned methods to find, assess, and combine research on a defined question. Its conclusions depend on both the review methods and the available studies.¹⁰

Lymphatic treatments · Finding lymphatic care in Calgary and Alberta · Understanding Your Lymphatic Treatment Options