Manual Edema Mobilization (MEM) is a method of edema reduction for upper and lower extremity persistent edema found in orthopedic conditions, wounds, trauma, or post stroke edema.  Techniques utilized specifically stimulate an intact but congested/overwhelmed lymphatic system.  This edema that only the lymphatic system can reduce presents as: lasting longer than a week, has a thick viscous feel, when pitted takes plus 30 seconds to rebound, won’t reduce over night, and it no longer significantly reduces with elevation.

The MEM technique consists of: a proximal (trunk) to distal - then distal to proximal very light manual lymphatic stimulation; intermittent exercise; MEM Pump Point techniques; a brief patient home program; when necessary a “patient friendly” bandaging application program; also when necessary commonly used  tissue softening methods such as “chip bags,” kinesiology taping, and Myofascial Release.  Clinical application time of the MEM technique, including teaching a brief patient home treatment program is 20 minutes. 

MEM is not appropriate for Primary or Secondary lymphedema because these diagnoses need much more extensive and intensive lymph re-routing and bandaging programs.