What does Lipedema Pain Feel Like?
Certified Lymphedema Therapist
ACE Certified Personal Trainer
A study published in 2008 and conducted in Germany sought to gain a better idea of exactly what 'pain' with lipedema feels like. In 'Pain with lipoedema Attempt to approximate' researchers W. Schmeller, I. Meier-Vollrath Capio from the Hanse-Klinik, Department of Liposuction and Operational-Aesthetic Dermatology, Lübeck, Germany asked 50 patients with stage 2 lipoedema to complete a questionnaire.
The results? Pain was described as "pressing and dull," as well as "severe, tearing, nagging, unnerving, fierce, unbearable, exhausting, and sharp." A very interesting finding was that when allowed to use their own descriptions of pain, "the complaints were often described as being very pronounced." This may mean that we as health professionals are not getting the best idea of how pain is affecting our clients with lipedema if we rely on pre-selected words to describe pain. We may do a better job at getting an accurate picture of the pain of lipedema if we let out clients describe the pain in their own words and phrases.
The study document also has a list of words and terms that the lipedema clients used to describe their pain to help us get a better idea of what the experience may be for our clients.
Read more about the study here:
https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5775899ac534a5e813c050db/t/58d3d673b8a79b27eb30aa26/1490278004395/LymphForsch_12_2008_EN+revised+2.pdf
Here is a doctor's advice on speaking to clients with lipedema about their pain.
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