Olympic champion Michael Phelps brought negative pressure therapy—often known as cupping—into the spotlight during the 2016 Olympics. Since then, this therapy has gained attention for its ability to soften fibrotic tissues and stimulate the lymphatic system.
Lympha Press has taken this concept further by uniquely combining positive pressure (pneumatic compression therapy) with negative pressure (via Lympha Touch) as an adjunct to its Optimal Plus pump. August Research Roundtable guest Paula Donahue, PT, DPT, MBA, CLT-LANA, calls this combination “a dream come true” for those seeking innovative tools to treat and manage lymphedema and lipedema both in the clinic and at home.
Dr. Donahue is a Research Associate Professor and Physical Therapist in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. She conducts clinical research and provides patient care at the Vanderbilt Dayani Center for Health and Wellness. Her primary research interests are lymphedema, lipedema, and cancer rehabilitation.
In this Roundtable, Donahue and host Dr. Karen Herbst explored how negative pressure can help release fascia restrictions, support muscle stretching, and reduce pain in patients with lipedema. The therapy may also draw fluid from joint spaces and encourage movement in areas that have been static without causing bruising, thanks to quick capillary refill.
The conversation also addressed key questions from both clinicians and patients, including:
- Can negative pressure be used alongside pneumatic compression?
- Is there edema in lipedema tissue?
- How do positive and negative pressure affect veins?
- And perhaps most frequently: “How can we get access to the Lympha Touch?”
Watch the full discussion and explore more resources at https://www.lymphapress.com/negative-pressure-resources.
This Roundtable was originally recorded live on August 4, 2025. The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or positions of Lympha Press. The content is for educational purposes only and not intended as medical advice.
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