Is it true?

[islasmum]

That when you massage your legs that you should massage towards the heart?

[Sqad]

No idea.
Why would you want to massage your legs?

[islasmum]

Because of diabetes I have kidney problems, and have oedema on my legs. I've been advised to moisturise my lower legs and feet daily, due to poor circulation. When I was chatting to a friend she mentioned about always massaging any part of the body towards the heart. I had never heard of this before and wondered if there was any truth in it.

[mrs_overall]

Hi
Yes, you should massage in the direction of the lymph flow, i.e. towards the heart

[237SJ]

I have heard that. It makes sense in a way. You want to encourage the lymphatic fluid (via massage) to go back up through the body rather than downwards.

[askyourgran]

I've heard that too you should do it when body brushing as well.

[boxtops]

yes, always

[gness]

It's how I was taught Islasmum and when LGH started using massage for kidney patients to help with high blood pressure it's what they recommended.
Can't say I always followed that rule though.

[mrs_overall]

AYG - I always shudder when I hear the words "body brushing"

Year ago I rescuscitated a tramp....who had scabies. I had to go to the council disinfestation centre, strip off and stand there while a woman covered me with a solution...using a yard brush

[gness]

Gawd!!!! Only you. x

[shoota]

(Seriously) Well done Mrs O for resus!

[askyourgran]

Yuk, but well done you mrsO. I wouldn't have done resus. on a tramp in the first place. Now I've got an image of a nekked mrsO in a dingy yard getting scubbed with Lysol and a stiff broom.

[gness]

Mind you, I resuscitated a man in the fruit and veg at the Co-op but I got a round of applause.

[shoota]

I've done it twice.
OAP in the street and a man found hanging.

[gness]

Islasmum...have you tried one of those vibrating machines you put your feet on? Advertised as helping circulation.

[gness]

Shoota....xx

[mrs_overall]

I've done it 9 times and only saved 2 of them.
They all happened in a 2 year period. I became paranoid about going out as so many people were dropping down dead at my feet

[mrs_overall]

I've got one of those machines - a Vibratech powerplate

[gness]

Err....you know that visit I was making to Whitby.........?

[shoota]

You're an angel O

[gness]

Is it any good?