Glasser Massage & Lymphedema Services, LLC

  Therapeutic Massage & Lymphedema Treatment Center

Patient History:

Sara Jane (not her real name) was 47 years old, 5 feet tall and weighed 425 pounds.  There was no indication of lymphedema throughout her childhood and teen years.  In 1973, she lived, worked and married in Korea.  She returned and became pregnant in 1979.  With her pregnancy came the first sign of edema and increasing lower leg size.  Both lower legs continued to steadily increase in size from her pregnancy in 1979.  For twenty years, as her lymphedema progressed, she was told that the swelling in her legs was because she was “too fat”.  Hundreds of times she was told to just lose weight and everything would disappear, once being put on a 400 calorie per day diet.  As her legs continued to get bigger, they started to leak and became infected.  In 1983, she had her first episode of cellulitis.  From 1983 to 1996, the episodes of cellulitis kept increasing, along with the size of her legs.  She spent weeks in the hospital and weeks at home receiving intravenous antibiotics for the infections that were occurring at least once a month.

In 1996, a plastic surgeon recommended the use of a lymphatic pump.  Due to the high volume of fluid being pumped toward her heart, she developed life-threatening congestive heart failure, and was once again, hospitalized.  She stopped using the pump. 

In 1999, Sara had a severe leg ulcer with rotting skin and a terrible odor.  She was referred to a dermatologist who finally diagnosed her as having lymphedema.  From there, she was sent to a highly regarded medical school in North Carolina.  At first, initially suspecting filariasis, multiple tests confirmed that it was not due to the filarial parasite.  Her attending physician admitted that he had never seen lymphedema this bad, and did not know how to treat it.  He wrote, “at this point in time she will not likely get reversible, possible prevention of further exacerbation”.  He was at a loss, but determined to find someone who could help her.  After six weeks of research, he recommended manual lymph drainage, and the services of Peter Glasser at Ultimate Health Center, Inc. in Asheville, N. C.

August 31 1999 – Initial Visit

Sara Jane’s family history was taken, and revealed that her grandfather had lymphedema of both lower legs, as well as her sister.  After patient examination, the diagnosis was that of primary lymphedema with a very high risk of morbidity/mortality.

Treatment:

Peter Glasser combines CDP/MLD treatments with synergistic herbs, vitamins, skin compresses and life-style changes.  His emphasis is on strengthening the lymphatic system internally, while treating lymphedema externally.  Sara Jane was open to the wholistic approach.

Both of Sara Jane’s legs had a slight infection in them.  The skin of her legs was dry and hard, with weeping ulcers on her lower legs and calves.  The leg infections had to be cleared up before treatment could begin, so Sara Jane was instructed to remain on the prescribed antibiotic until it was finished, plus add the wholistic remedies recommended.  Treatment was scheduled for the end of October.

Wholistic Remedies

Daily Skin Care: 

Hydrogen peroxide to cleanse the skin.

A low PH, natural skin moisturizer to help soften and heal the skin.

Slippery elm (herb) compresses to soften/ heal the skin and close the ulcers.

Note: Slippery elm covers the ulcer and allows it to heal by forming a protective crust.  Only the loose herb is removed daily, with more added, until the wound closes and the slippery elm drops off easily with a little help.  Removing all the herb daily will re-open the ulcer.

Supplement Program:

Natural Antibiotics:

Colloidal silver – 1 tablespoon, three times a day.

  Extra strength garlic tablets – 1 per day, mealtime.

Liquid selenium – ½ tablespoon, two times a day, between meals.

Lymphatic Cleanse:

Herbal cleanse formula consisting of cleavers, golden seal, poke root, and Echinacea, 30 drops three times a day, after meals, every other week.

Diuretic:

Dandelion herb, root and leaf, 40 drops in water, three times a day, with meals.  

Body Cleanse:

 FlorEssence herbal tea, 2 ounces of tea in 2 ounces of hot, pure, natural water, three times a day, 6 days a week on an empty stomach. 

Vitamin:

Multi vitamin in capsules for easier absorption, with meals.  

Antioxidant: 

                        PCO – grape seed extract- 2 per day between meals to help strengthen vascular walls, reduce edema and fight free radicals.