[Manual lymph drainage in new federal Germany].

Manual lymphatic drainage was virtually unknown in the former German Democratic Republic, and its method was deliberately not published for several reasons. However, patients with lymphedema heard of this therapy and some examples illustrate how patients benefitted from it. Soon lymphatic drainage was better known amongst therapists than doctors. Current efforts are underway to integrate this therapy into a coherent treatment plan. Lymphologically oriented hospitals, private care physicians, therapists and the German Society of Lymphology should cooperate closely cooperating to achieve this goal.