Alice Norris is lucky to be walking.

In early December, the 61-year-old Lawrence woman fell on concrete. Two weeks later, her knees were swollen and hurting.

Laurie Drinkard, a certified physical therapy assistant and certified manual lymph drainage therapist, does light massage on Alice Norris' leg to help direct the lymph fluid through damaged vessels. Norris has lymphedema, which occurs when the body's lymph vessels are damaged, causing lymph fluid to accumulate in the tissue and create swelling.

“Ice and elevation helped a little, then they got worse,” she said.

Her physician recommended Norris get an appointment at Neu Physical Therapy Center, 1305 Wakarusa Drive, to see if physical therapy and massage could help.

At that point, Norris’ left leg was extremely swollen and warm to the touch. She had developed lymphedema.

That was Jan. 8. Now, after several manual lymph drainage treatments, her leg is regaining its color and mobility and is returning to its normal size.

Laurie Drinkard, a certified physical therapy assistant and certified manual lymph drainage therapist, said lymphedema occurs when the body’s lymph vessels are damaged, causing lymph fluid to accumulate in the tissue and create swelling.

The lymphatic system operates similarly to the circulatory system. While the circulatory system relies on the heart to pump blood throughout the body, the lymphatic system relies on the routine movement of muscles and joints to push lymph fluid through the body.

When the heart pumps blood, some of the fluid in the bloodstream leaks out. Small lymph vessels collect the extra fluid, and larger lymph vessels carry the fluid to the heart where it is deposited back into the bloodstream.

Light massage first done by a therapist and then learned by the patient can help direct the lymph fluid through damaged vessels. In Norris’ case, Drinkard massaged her leg in a way to direct the fluid up her leg and toward her heart.

“I’m concentrating on how she’s doing it,” Norris said, as Drinkard lightly rubbed her leg. “I want to do it with the same amount of pressure and in the right direction. I’ll do anything to get this leg back to normal. I’m tired of this.”

After the massage, the leg is wrapped with compression bandages and supported by foam pieces so the fluid will not ease back into the limb. Norris is able to walk and continue working in the office at Presbyterian Manor.

While manual lymph drainage therapy has been used in Europe for about 100 years, Drinkard said it has only been practiced for about 10 years in the United States. Patients must be referred to a physical therapist by their physicians if they want insurance to cover the cost.

In addition to injuries like Norris’, lymphedema can be caused by surgery, radiation, diseases and birth defects.

“About half of my patients are post-breast cancer and post-mastectomy,” she said.