Bruno Chikly
Background: Trained practitioners claim to identify the
specific direction of superficial or deep lymphatic circulation
using a non-invasive technique called Manual Lymphatic
Mapping (MLM). MLM is a recent advance in manual therapy,
a component of Lymph Drainage Therapy (LDT)/Osteopathic
Lymphatic Technique (OLT).
Objective: Assess the potential of trained practitioners to
palpate superficial lymphatic flow.
Method: Each practitioner mapped the sole of the foot of a
healthy volunteer, a region never previously studied.
The results of the mapping were compared between trained
and untrained practitioners and physiologic lymph charts
Results: Trained practitioners (n=393) provided
significantly more correct mappings (correct answers = 245)
than untrained practitioners (n=411, correct answers = 11) (X2
= 329.54, p < 0.05), and OR = 60.20, p < 0.05.
Conclusion: Trained practitioners, but not untrained
practitioners, mapped pedal flow by palpation, consistent with
standard physiologic lymphatic maps. Flow studies, by imaging
in individual subjects mapped by palpation, must further test
this finding.
