Patent ID: 6645165
Filing Date: 2003-11-11
Classification: A61H

Abstract:
A method of body manipulation in furtherance of treating lymphedema comprising the steps of:a. providing a wrap adapted to fit about a body extremity, said wrap having a trunk region, and a limb region having a plurality of regions and a plurality of compartments distributed throughout said regions, each of the compartments of said plurality of compartments being capable of selective pressurization and depressurization; b. applying said wrap to said body extremity; c. preparing the body extremity for receipt of lymph fluid via a first pressurization and depressurization sequence of select compartments within select regions of said regions of said wrap, said first pressurization and depressurization sequence beginning with said trunk region and proceeding to a distal limb region of said limb regions, said first pressurization and depressurization sequence including a consecutive pressurization and depressurization of each compartment of the compartments distributed throughout a limb region of the regions of said wrap beginning with a distal chamber of each limb region and proceeding to a proximal chamber thereof; and d. draining lymph fluid from the body extremity via a second pressurization and depressurization sequence of select compartments within select regions of said regions of said wrap, said second pressurization and depressurization sequence beginning with said distal limb region of said limb regions and proceeding to said trunk region, whereby the lymphatic system is stimulated so as to promote reabsorption of pooled lymph fluid within surrounding tissue.