About Lipoedema

What is Lipoedema?

Lipoedema is a chronic condition that involves an abnormal build-up of adipose tissue (fat cells) under the skin, most commonly in the legs, thighs, and buttocks. It is a condition that almost exclusively affects women and can be hereditary.

It is important to understand that lipoedema fat is different from regular body fat and is not caused by obesity. It is often resistant to diet and exercise, which is why many women feel frustrated when their efforts to lose weight in these areas are unsuccessful.

Lipoedema is also a disorder of the connective tissue. The structure that holds fat cells in place can become weak and disorganised, which contributes to some of the characteristic symptoms.

Contact us about Lipoedema Management today!

What are the Common Signs and Symptoms?

Women with lipoedema may experience a range of symptoms, which can vary in severity. These include:

• Disproportionate fat distribution: Typically, the lower body is much larger than the upper body. The feet are usually unaffected, which can create a distinct “cuff” or “bracelet” effect at the ankles.
• Symmetrical swelling: Both legs are usually affected in a similar way.
• Pain and tenderness: The affected areas can be tender to touch and may ache or feel heavy. This discomfort can worsen after standing for long periods or at the end of the day.
• Easy bruising: You might notice that you bruise very easily in the affected areas, often without a clear cause.
• “Nodular” or “lumpy” texture: The fat can feel like small, lumpy nodules under the skin.

Cellulite: The skin surface may have a distinct dimpled or “orange-peel” appearance.

What Causes or Triggers Lipoedema?

The exact cause of lipoedema is not fully understood, but it is strongly linked to hormonal changes. Many women first notice symptoms or find their condition worsens during key hormonal periods, such as:

• Puberty
• Pregnancy
• Perimenopause and Menopause

Stress can also be a trigger that exacerbates symptoms.

How is Lipoedema Managed?

While there is no cure for lipoedema, there are many effective ways to manage the symptoms, improve comfort, and prevent the condition from progressing. The goal of management is to empower you to control your symptoms and live well.

It is important to remember that you are not alone. Lipoedema is a recognised medical condition, and your symptoms are real. Working with a knowledgeable healthcare professional is key to developing a management plan that is right for you.

Management strategies include:

Compression Therapy: Wearing compression garments (like specialised stockings or tights) can help reduce fluid build-up, support the tissues, and ease feelings of pain and heaviness. Another option is a compression pump, which is a device with inflatable sleeves for the legs (or the full body) that provides a gentle, sequential massage to improve circulation and move fluid.

Exercise: Gentle, low-impact exercise like swimming, walking, and cycling is excellent for managing lipoedema. It helps with circulation and overall health without putting stress on the joints.

Manual Therapies: Specialised massage techniques can help to soften the tissue and improve the flow of lymphatic fluid.

Other Therapies: Depending on your symptoms, therapies like Photobiomodulation Therapy (PBMT) using MLS laser may be used to help soften thickened tissue.

How PBMT Assists with Lipoedema

1. Reducing Inflammation

Lipoedema tissue is chronically inflamed. PBMT has been shown in many conditions to down-regulate pro-inflammatory cytokines, increase anti-inflammatory mediators and to reduce oxidative stress

This may help decrease tissue tenderness and slow progression-related inflammation.

2. Improving Lymphatic Flow

Lipoedema often coexists with lymphatic insufficiency (“lipo-lymphoedema”). PBMT Increases lymphatic pumping and fluid movement, and reduce lymphatic congestion and swelling. This can contribute to softer, less fibrotic tissues and improved limb comfort.

3. Pain Reduction

PBMT is well documented to reduce nerve hypersensitivity, improve microcirculation and to relax muscle tension. Many patients report reduced daily pain and heaviness when PBMT is used consistently.

4. Softening Fibrotic Tissue

Fibrosis is a hallmark of advanced lipoedema. PBMT Improves local blood and lymph flow, increase mitochondrial ATP production, support tissue repair. These effects can help reduce the density/stiffness of nodules and make manual therapy (MLD, pneumatic compression, massage) more effective.

5. Supporting Microcirculation

Lipoedema is associated with fragile capillaries, easy bruising, and poor tissue oxygenation. PBMT can enhance local microvascular perfusion and support healthier tissue metabolism. This can help reduce bruising frequency and improve skin quality.

Who May Benefit Most

• Those with pain, swelling, or heaviness
• People with fibrotic tissue or early lipo-lymphoedema
• Those seeking non-invasive symptom management
• Pre- and post-operative liposuction surgery

PBMT for Lipoedema: Pre-Operative & Post-Operative Benefits

 Pre-Operative Benefits

1. Reduces Inflammation in Lipoedema Tissue
2. Improves Lymphatic Function Prior to Surgery

A healthier lymphatic system going into surgery optimises lymph flow pre-op may support better post-op drainage and faster recovery.

3. Reduces Pre-Surgical Pain and Tenderness

Many lipoedema patients are highly sensitive to touch. PBMT can reduce nerve hypersensitivity, decrease daily pain and improve tolerance to compression and manual therapies used pre-operatively. A more comfortable limb pre-op can make recovery easier.

4. Supports Microcirculation for Better Healing Capacity

Surgery is a controlled trauma. Better blood flow in advance means better oxygen and nutrient delivery, more resilient tissues, and reduced risk of postoperative complications such as prolonged bruising

Post-Operative Benefits

For lipoedema, PBMT is especially helpful because of how the tissue responds.

1. Reduces Post-Surgical Swelling & Bruising

PBMT enhances lymphatic flow to move postoperative fluid, reduce oedema, and speed resolution of bruising. This is one of the strongest and fastest benefits most patients notice.

2. Accelerates Healing

PBMT stimulates mitochondrial repair and collagen synthesis, which speeds wound and tissue healing, supports improved scar quality, and reduces risk of delayed healing, especially in areas with prior fibrosis.

3. Reduces Pain After Surgery

This may reduce the need for strong post-op pain medication.

4. Helps Prevent or Reduce Fibrosis and Hard Nodules
5. Improves Range of Motion and Reduces Tissue Tightness

After liposuction, tissues can feel tight or stiff for weeks. PBMT relaxes fascia, reduces stiffness, and supports more comfortable mobility and faster return to normal activities

6. Enhances Surgical Outcomes

By reducing inflammation, fibrosis, and swelling, PBMT may help create smoother contours, reduce asymmetry, and enhance overall cosmetic and functional results

If you would like more information about lipoedema therapy or would like to book a consultation, please contact our team today.