Dr. Andrea Brennan

RESUME

Complex Lymphatic Therapy

​Casely-Smith International

​The method of decongestive lymphatic therapy to treat lymphoedema which the Casley-Smiths taught, have similar components to the protocol of Complete Decongestive Therapy developed by their colleagues Michael and Ethel Földi, in Germany.



Judith held (holds) a particularly strong view that treatment needs to be tailored to the individual, and that therapists must not be mechanical in their approach to treatment, and should be creative in responding to the changing needs of the individual. They did not teach a prescribed way of working, but taught sound principles that become a solid foundation for choice of techniques in approaching a case.



With Australian towns being spread far and wide, the Casley-Smith’s also put a strong emphasis on self-care following treatment.



The significant differences and advances in their methods, lie particularly in Judith’s method of manual lymph drainage which drew on her intimate knowledge of the microanatomy of the lymphatic system, and on Kubik’s concept of lymphotomes. It uses very simple strokes so that patients or family members can learn to do self manual-drainage.



The exercise sequences that Judith designed were put onto video tapes for people to use at home. She introduced the concept of following a sequence similar to that of Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD). The sequences also incorporated deep breathing and self-MLD. Lymphoedema sufferers were taught to think about daily activities as opportunities to perform movements similar to those in the exercise sequences, and that doing so, could perhaps reduce formal exercise sessions.

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The Casley-Smiths kept current and abreast of the latest bandaging materials, and new designs of compression garments and aids used in compression therapy. Their bandaging method emphasized the achievement of a pressure gradient and the creative use of protective and anti-fibrosis padding.



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