Lymphoedema & oedema
Information about swelling and why medical assessment of the cause matters. Device-assisted lymphatic drainage at Bodyfix is not specialist medical oedema care.
Book a free consultationWhat are lymphoedema and oedema?
Oedema is generally described as a build-up of fluid in the tissue, which can cause swelling — for example in the legs, arms or ankles. Lymphoedema is usually described as a specific form in which drainage through the lymphatic system can be disrupted, so that lymph fluid (protein-rich tissue fluid) may accumulate and the swelling can become persistent or recurring.
The lymphatic system is often described as the body's drainage network: it is understood to help transport fluid, waste products and proteins out of the tissue. When that transport falters, fluid may be left behind and the tissue can feel tight, heavy or tender. The points below set out the general difference at a glance.
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Oedema = a build-up of fluid in the tissue (swelling), with a wide range of possible causes.
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Lymphoedema = oedema generally linked to disrupted lymphatic drainage; it can be chronic in nature.
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Possible signs can include a heavy, tight feeling and visible swelling of a limb.
Please note: this is general information and not medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Do you suspect lymphoedema or an underlying condition? Always have this assessed first by a doctor or GP.
Possible causes
Fluid can build up for a wide variety of reasons. Some forms of oedema are temporary and harmless, while others may point to an underlying condition that requires medical assessment. Below are a few factors that are generally associated with oedema or lymphoedema. This is general information only and is not a substitute for medical advice.
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Prolonged sitting or standing, heat, or pregnancy (often temporary in nature).
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A disruption of the lymphatic system, for example after surgery or after the removal of lymph nodes.
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A congenital or hereditary predisposition in which lymphatic drainage may function less efficiently.
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Adhesions or scar tissue that may impede the flow of fluid.
Have unexplained or persistent swelling assessed by your doctor. The Bodyreading does not establish the cause. Sudden or one-sided swelling, particularly with pain, warmth or redness, requires prompt medical assessment. Read more: swelling after surgery, recognising and treating lipoedema.
The role of lymphatic drainage
Specialist manual lymphatic drainage may form part of a broader medical lymphoedema care plan. That does not automatically make a device treatment at a massage practice equivalent or suitable. Discuss this with your treating clinician.
Rhythmic pressure
The treatment works with a building and then easing pressure, in the direction of natural lymphatic drainage. This is intended to support the movement of fluid within the tissue.
Device-assisted
This device-assisted form of lymphatic drainage is designed to make the treatment even and easy to repeat. Many clients experience it as pleasant; the aim is to support comfort and a lighter feeling.
Supportive, not curative
Lymphatic drainage is a supportive treatment focused on comfort and wellbeing. It is not a medical treatment and not a substitute for care for a diagnosed condition.
Would you like to know more about how we use this technique? Read the full explanation on our lymphatic drainage Amsterdam page, or explore how the lymphatic system works and what lymphatic drainage actually is.
Combination with connective tissue massage
Bodyfix offers manual connective tissue massage and separately bookable pressotherapy. We do not promise that these services treat lymphoedema, resolve the cause of swelling or replace a medical care plan.
It is that combination that sits at the heart of our approach to fluid-related complaints in which the connective tissue may also be involved. We explain the reasoning behind this two-part approach in more detail in a separate article. This concerns supportive treatment and is not medical advice or a promise of cure.
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Lymphatic drainage is aimed at supporting fluid drainage and a lighter feeling.
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Manual massage is tailored to the agreed area and your comfort.
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Ask beforehand whether the separate services are suitable; a combination is not automatically better.
Read the full explanation in our article on the combination of lymphatic drainage and connective tissue massage.
What BodyFix does
Discuss the background and experience of your individual practitioner. The Bodyreading is a consultation for tailoring treatment, not a medical assessment of lymphoedema.
It is important to stress this: we offer supportive treatment focused on comfort, a lighter feeling and tissue that can feel more supple. We do not make a medical diagnosis and we make no promises of cure. If an underlying condition is suspected, we refer you to your GP or specialist.
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Consultation first: a Bodyreading before the first treatment.
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Bodyfix practitioners.
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Manual massage and device-assisted lymphatic drainage are separate services.
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Want to know more about how we work? Explore the BodyFix Method or take a look at our frequently asked questions.
Book a free consultation
Have medical symptoms assessed by your clinician first. The free Bodyfix consultation has a 10-minute booking slot and is intended to discuss your wishes and the limits of our services.
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Free consultation (10-minute booking slot) — without obligation and no strings attached.
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Two locations in Amsterdam-Zuid: Legmeerplein 7 and Haarlemmermeerstraat 115.
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By phone: 09:00–18:00; treatment availability is shown in the booking calendar. Call +31 6 5580 4938 or email info@bodyfix.nl.
Ready to take the next step?
Book your free consultation (10-minute booking slot) and discover, without obligation, whether the BodyFix Method suits your situation.
Sources and medical background
These sources provide general information; they do not establish the effectiveness of the Bodyfix Method. Checked on 10 September 2026.