Jennifer Roy Registered Massage Therapist/Complex Decongestive Therapist
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RMT/CDT
Dr. Vodders International Certified. Specializing in Manual Lymphatic Drainage
The Compression Test 👀🧦
I get asked all the time:
"Does compression actually work?"
Short answer... yes.
But I wanted to see what happened with my own body.
Quick disclaimer: I have a healthy, intact lymphatic system. These are simply my personal results and aren't meant to represent everyone.
✈️ Flight #1 – Wearing Compression
The night before flying, I measured both legs (foot to knee). About two hours after landing, I removed my compression socks and measured again.
Results:
🦵 Right leg: +3.5 cm
🦵 Left leg: +6 cm
Not only was the swelling relatively minimal after two cross-country flights, but I also noticed something I wasn't expecting...
✨ My restless legs were dramatically better. Normally, after sitting for a couple of hours my legs get that "I need to move!" feeling. This time? Hardly at all.
And honestly... the socks were way more comfortable than I expected.
✈️ One Week Later – No Compression
I didn't wear compression for the rest of my trip. Lots of walking, warmer weather, and plenty of time on my feet.
The night before flying home, I measured again.
Compared to my original measurements:
🦵 Right leg: +4 cm
🦵 Left leg: +9 cm
Then I flew home without compression.
Two hours after landing:
➕ Right leg: another +4 cm
➕ Left leg: another +6.5 cm
This time, my restless legs were back after about two hours on the plane.
So what does this tell us?
It's completely normal for most people to swell during air travel.
But compression can help reduce how much you swell.
For those living with lymphedema, lipedema, or other conditions that affect swelling, that difference can become even more important.
✨ Compression isn't just for people with diagnosed lymphatic conditions—it's a simple tool that can support your body during travel, long periods of sitting, pregnancy, standing all day, and so much more.
Needless to say... I'm officially sold on flying with compression. 😂
Stay tuned for Part 2 on my next trip! 👀✈️
Reconnect Health Centre
🌬Why is Diaphragmaric Breathing important for your Lymphatic system?
You have a very important part of your lymphatic system, called your cisterna chyli. It's a junction point where lymph from your lower body can be pushed to the thoracic duct to drain though the lymphatic and thoracic ducts in your upper body.
The cisterna chyli isn't a muscle, and doesn't pump on its own, it relies on muscle contractions from your diaphragm when you breath.
This is why Diaphragmaric is important for your Lymphatic system
💚How to Diaphragmaricly breath.
Breathe with intention.
Did you know many of us spend the day taking short, shallow breaths without even realizing it? Stress, long hours at a desk, pain, and muscle tension can all contribute to inefficient breathing patterns.
Try this simple diaphragmatic breathing exercise:
✨ Place one hand on your chest and the other on your abdomen.
✨ Inhale slowly through your nose for a count of 4, allowing your abdomen to gently rise while keeping your chest as relaxed as possible.
✨ Pause briefly.
✨ Exhale slowly through pursed lips for a count of 6, letting your abdomen fall naturally
✨ Repeat for 5–10 breaths.
Deep, controlled breathing can alsp help reduce stress, encourage relaxation, improve oxygen delivery, and decrease unnecessary tension in the neck and shoulders.
Happy Breathing, and Cisterna Chyli Pumping 🧘♀️
07/22/2026
Full video and results after my vacation.
Here's another sneak peak into my compression test.
And for anyone who has seen me at work, naturally my compression socks are miss matched as well ☺️
Stay tuned
07/21/2026
Stay tuned, for a compression while flying experiment 👀👀
07/13/2026
Somehow this happened 🤯🤯
I get it, I don't want to be thinking about fall yet either.
If you are looking for MLD assessment, follow ups, or haven't booked your end of year appointments yet, take a look at your fall calendars
06/17/2026
Finding the right care starts with the right information.
This week, we're focusing on Care + Support as part of our Lipedema Literacy campaign. Understanding treatment options, building a knowledgeable care team, and accessing trusted resources can help people make informed decisions and navigate care with greater confidence.
Explore resources designed to support your journey, connect with providers, and learn more about available treatment and management approaches.
Access the Lipedema Literacy Toolkit: bit.ly/49rYbFH
Sign up for our newsletter for more information throughout the year: bit.ly/3ox7eQS
06/17/2026
Mental Health is important, struggling with mental health is a daily battle, this can sometimes be even more difficult when you work in the health care profession. I sat down with Reconnect Health Centre 's CLC Bethany, to have an honest and open conversation about Mental Health and some tips and tricks to help when you are a RMT or health care practioner, as well as how to help navigate some of the hard parts of this job that we aren't always prepared for.
You are not struggling alone, and it's ok to not be ok. The more we talk about Mental Health the more we continue to break the stigma surrounding it. If talking helps even one person to know they are not alone, that is honestly more than I could ever hope for
Practitioner's Mental Health A 30-minute chat with Certified Canadian Counselor Bethany Robertso...
06/03/2026
If you are in NS check this out! LANS doing incredible work
Lymphedema Association Of Nova Scotia Lymphedema is a chronic health condition with many faces. Some people are born with it; others develop it later in life, often after treatment for some cancers. In Canada, it is estimated that over 1,000,000 children and adults live with lymphedema and many more are at risk. Up to one in four breast...
06/03/2026
Happy Lipedema Awareness Month!
Researchers at City St George’s, University of London, are conducting an ethics-approved survey exploring patient-reported outcomes of GLP-1/GIP receptor agonists used by people with lipoedema.
The study is open to adults aged 18 years or over who have lipoedema, whether clinician-diagnosed or self-diagnosed, and who are currently using or have previously used a GLP-1/GIP weight-loss injection for at least 3 months, with the last dose taken within the past 12 months. Participants must be able to complete an online survey in English, independently or with assistance.
The anonymous online survey takes around 10–15 minutes and asks about symptoms, side effects, and overall experiences. Please note that these medications are not currently licensed for the treatment of lipoedema, and this study is not intended to promote their use.
To take the survey, please use this link https://cityunilondon.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_beCfrkSJeAMUNkW
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