The following lists of articles and research that I’ve collected over the years are provided as a resource to clients and fellow therapists. Please click on the titles to link to any of the articles or research below.
Veins are not drains — Most inflammation linked to lymphatic dysfunction PDF
Review of All edema is lymphedema: Progressing lymphedema and wound management to an integrated model of care by Frank Aviles Jr. and Heather Hettrick (2022)
Articles
Compression levels explained: Who needs what — and why | Norton School of Lymphatic Therapy
Deep oscillation | Physiopod
FAQ — Deep oscillation therapy for practitioners and patients | Physiopod
FAQs about lymphatic drainage massage | Cedars-Sinai
Get the lymph flowing! | Fascia Guide
How much MLD pressure? | Lymphedema Therapy Source
Important role of the lymphatic system | Fascia Guide
Is all edema lymphedema? | Heather Hettrick PT, Lympha Press
Intestinal lymphangiectasia | Zubair Malik MD, Merck Manual
Lower limb lymphoedema standard care and the impact of adding deep oscillation therapy at home | Physiopod
Lymphatic system | Canadian Cancer Society
Lymphatic system | Cleveland Clinic
Lymphatic system | Department of Health, State Government of Victoria
Lymphedema facts | Nina Capobianco LMT CMLDT
Manual lymph drainage and IBS management: A holistic approach | Academy of Lymphatic Studies
Manual lymph drainage in the treatment of autism | Joachim Zuther
Manual Lymphatic Drainage | Physiopod
Mechanisms of deep oscillation | Physiopod
NHLBI helps launch the first NIH national commission on lymphatic diseases | National Institutes of Health
New ultra-high-frequency ultrasound improves lymphedema treatment | Ohio State University
Nonmelanoma skin cancers tied to lower extremity lymphedema | Physicians Weekly
Researchers have ‘eureka’ moment when studying molecule’s role in lymphedema | University of Colorado
Role of the massage therapist CLT in the continuum of lymphedema care in the United States | ARIOS Medical
Spleen and lymphatic system | Nemours Foundation
St. George’s researchers home in on genetic cause of lipoedema | City St. George’s, University of London
Team’s imaging strategy enhances lipedema treatment | Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Traditional massage therapy in the treatment and management of lymphedema | Massage Today
What is lymphatic massage? | Associated Bodywork and Massage Professionals
Your gut, your lymphatic system and an anxious stomach | Nina Capobianco LMT CMLDT
Research
Alexander, J., Ganta, V., Jordan, P., et al. (2010). Gastrointestinal lymphatics in health and disease. Pathophysiology.
Ali, K., Dibbs, R., Dougherty, C., et al. (2022). Treatment outcomes of manual lymphatic drainage in pediatric lymphedema. Annals of Vascular Surgery.
Alitalo K. (2011). The lymphatic vasculature in disease. Nature Medicine.
Antonucci, N., Pacini, S., & Ruggiero, M. (2018). Manual lymphatic drainage in autism treatment. Madridge Journal of Immunology.
Bartlett, M., Erickson, R., Frye, J., et al. (2025). Manual lymph drainage massage of the head and neck improves cognition and reduces pathological biomarkers in the 5x-FAD mouse model of Alzheimers disease. bioRxiv.
Bergmann, A., Baiocchi, J., & de Andrade, M. (2021). Conservative treatment of lymphedema: the state of the art. Jornal Vascular Brasileiro.
Chung, C., & Iwakiri, Y. (2013). The lymphatic vascular system in liver diseases: Its role in ascites formation. Clinical and Molecular Hepatology.
Ding, X., Wang, X., Xia, D., et al. (2021). Impaired meningeal lymphatic drainage in patients with idiopathic Parkinson’s disease. Nature Medicine.
Douglass, J., Mableson, H., Martindale, S., et al. (2019). An enhanced self-care protocol for people affected by moderate to severe lymphedema. Methods and Protocols.
Duhon, B., Phan, T., Taylor, S., et al. (2022). Current mechanistic understandings of lymphedema and lipedema: Tales of fluid, fat, and fibrosis. International Journal of Molecular Sciences.
El-Chemaly, S., Levine, S., & Moss, J. (2010). Lymphatics in lung disease. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences.
Esparza, W., Aladro-Gonzalvo, A., Ruiz-Hontangas, A., et al. (2023). The effect of craniofacial manual lymphatic drainage after moderate traumatic brain injury. Healthcare.
Godette, K., Mondry, T., & Johnstone, P. (2006). Can manual treatment of lymphedema promote metastasis? Journal of the Society for Integrative Oncology.
Halliday, E., Gittins, J. & Ahsan, S. (2020). Using the Glasgow Benefit Inventory questionnaire to quantify the health benefits of lymphoedema treatment in patients with head and neck cancer. Applied Cancer Research.
Hettrick, H., & Aviles, F. (2022). All edema is lymphedema: Progressing lymphedema and wound Management to an integrated model of care. Wound Management and Prevention.
Hodge L. (2012). Osteopathic lymphatic pump techniques to enhance immunity and treat pneumonia. International Journal of Osteopathic Medicine.
Hodge, L., Bearden, M., Schander A., et al. (2010). Abdominal lymphatic pump treatment mobilizes leukocytes from the gastrointestinal associated lymphoid tissue into lymph. Lymphatic Research and Biology.
Hodge, L., Bearden, M., Schander, A., et al. (2010). Lymphatic pump treatment mobilizes leukocytes from the gut associated lymphoid tissue into lymph. Lymphatic Research and Biology.
Hodge, L., & Downey, H. (2011). Lymphatic pump treatment enhances the lymphatic and immune systems. Experimental Biology and Medicine.
Hodge, L., King, H., Williams, A., Jr., et al. (2007). Abdominal lymphatic pump treatment increases leukocyte count and flux in thoracic duct lymph. Lymphatic Research and Biology.
Hokari, R., & Tomioka, A. (2021). The role of lymphatics in intestinal inflammation. Inflammation and Regeneration.
Huff, J., Schander, A., Downey, H., et al. (2010). Lymphatic pump treatment augments lymphatic flux of lymphocytes in rats. Lymphatic Research and Biology.
Jahr, S., Schoppe, B., & Reisshauer, A. (2008). Effect of treatment with low-intensity and extremely low-frequency electrostatic fields (deep oscillation) on breast tissue and pain in patients with secondary breast lymphoedema. Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine.
Jessen, N., Munk, A., Lundgaard, I., et al. (2015). The glymphatic system — A beginner’s guide. Neurochemical Research.
Jin, H., Yoon, J., Hong, S., et al. (2025). Increased CSF drainage by non-invasive manipulation of cervical lymphatics. Nature.
Kablan, N., Alaca, N., & Tatar, Y. (2021). Comparison of the immediate effect of petrissage massage and manual lymph drainage following exercise on biomechanical and viscoelastic properties of the rectus femoris muscle in women. Human Kinetics Journals.
Knott, E., Tune J., Stoll S., et al. (2005). Increased lymphatic flow in the thoracic duct during manipulative intervention. The Journal of the American Osteopathic Association.
Kurt, G., Kiloatar, H., Leblebicier, M., et al. (2025). Effects of manual lymphatic drainage on pain intensity, impact of disease and quality of life in women with fibromyalgia syndrome: a double-blind randomized sham-controlled trial. Disability and Rehabilitation.
Leduc, O., Crasset, V., Leleu, C., et al. (2011). Impact of manual lymphatic drainage on hemodynamic parameters in patients with heart failure and lower limb edema. Lymphology.
Li, K., Zhang, Z., Liu, N., et al. (2017). Efficacy and safety of far infrared radiation in lymphedema treatment: Clinical evaluation and laboratory analysis. Lasers in Medical Science.
Li, K., Zhang, Z., Liu, N., et al. (2018). Far-infrared radiation thermotherapy improves tissue fibrosis in chronic extremity lymphedema. Lymphatic Research and Biology.
Liang, Q., Shi, Q., Wood, R., et al. (2015). Peri-articular lymphatics and “Bi” theory of Chinese medicine in the pathogenesis and treatment of arthritis. Chinese Journal of Integrative Medicine.
Liu, Z., Li, J., Bian, Y., et al. (2023). Low-intensity pulsed ultrasound reduces lymphedema by regulating macrophage polarization and enhancing microcirculation. Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology.
Mahram, M., & Rajabi, M. (2011). Treatment of lymphedema praecox through low level laser therapy (LLLT). Journal of Research in Medical Sciences.
Mansilla, J., Diaz, A., Sanchez, B., et al. (2025). Effects of massage therapy in breast cancer survivors with mastectomy: Systematic review. Cancers.
Marxen, T., Shauly, O., Goel, P., et al. (2023). The utility of lymphatic massage in cosmetic procedures. Aesthetic Surgery Journal.
Modi, S., Stanton, A., Svensson, W., et al. (2007). Human lymphatic pumping measured in healthy and lymphoedematous arms by lymphatic congestion lymphoscintigraphy. The Journal of Physiology.
Molski, P., Kruczyński, J., Molski, A., et al. (2013). Manual lymphatic drainage improves the quality of life in patients with chronic venous disease: A randomized controlled trial. Archives of Medical Science.
Moore, J., Jr., & Bertram, C. (2018). Lymphatic system flows. Annual Review of Fluid Mechanics.
Mosti, G., Benigni, J., & Caggiati A. (2025). What is the recommended compression pressure for different clinical indications? Phlebology.
Olszewski, W., Jain, P., Ambujam, G., et al. (2011). Tissue fluid pressure and flow during pneumatic compression in lymphedema of lower limbs. Lymphatic Research and Biology.
Olszewski, W., Jain, P., Ambujam, G., et al. (2010). Tissue fluid pressure and flow in the subcutaneous tissue in lymphedema — Hints for manual and pneumatic compression therapy. Phlebolymphology.
Peng, L., Dong, Y., Fan, H., et al. (2020). Traditional Chinese medicine regulating lymphangiogenesis: A literature review. Frontiers in Pharmacology.
Piller, N. (2012). Getting the pressure right: How do we know? Journal of Lymphoedema.
Prajapti, P., Shah, P., King, H., et al. (2010). Lymphatic pump treatment increases thoracic duct lymph flow in conscious dogs with edema due to constriction of the inferior vena cava. Lymphatic Research and Biology.
Rockson, S. (2007). Bioimpedance analysis in the assessment of lymphoedema diagnosis and management. Journal of Lymphoedema.
Schander, A., Castillo, R., Paredes, D., et al. (2020). Effect of abdominal lymphatic pump treatment on disease activity in a rat model of inflammatory bowel disease. Journal of Osteopathic Medicine.
Semyachkina-Glushkovskaya, O., Abdurashitov, A., Dubrovsky, A., et al. (2020). Photobiomodulation of lymphatic drainage and clearance: Perspective strategy for augmentation of meningeal lymphatic functions. Biomedical Optics Express.
Shim, J. Yeun, Y., Kim, H., et al. (2017). Effects of manual lymph drainage for abdomen on the brain activity of subjects with psychological stress. J-Stage.
Sloas, D., Stewart, S., Sweat, R., et al. (2016). Estimation of the pressure drop required for lymph flow through initial lymphatic networks. Lymphatic Research and Biology.
Stump, B., Cui, Y., Kidambi, P., et al. (2017). Lymphatic changes in respiratory diseases: More than just remodeling of the lung? American Journal of Respiratory Cell and Molecular Biology.
Tan, I., Maus, E., Rasmussen, J., et al. (2011). Assessment of lymphatic contractile function after manual lymphatic drainage using near-infrared fluorescence imaging. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.
Unno, N., Nishiyama, M., Suzuki, M., et al. (2010). A novel method of measuring human lymphatic pumping using indocyanine green fluorescence lymphography. Journal of Vascular Surgery.
Wang, Y., Sun, Y., Pei, Y., et al. (2023). The lymphatic drainage systems in the brain: A novel target for ischemic stroke? Neural Regeneration Research.
Williams, A. (2010). Manual lymphatic drainage: Exploring the history and evidence base. British Journal of Community Nursing.
Yeo, K., Lim, H., Thiam, C., et al. (2020). Efficient aortic lymphatic drainage is necessary for atherosclerosis regression induced by ezetimibe. Science Advances.
Yoon, J., Jin, H., Kim, H., et al. (2024). Nasopharyngeal lymphatic plexus is a hub for cerebrospinal fluid drainage. Nature.
Additional Research
Acupressure Research
Auriculotherapy Research
Grounding Research
Lymphatic Research
Massage Research
Phototherapy Research
Reflexology Research
Reiki Research