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Lymphatic Regeneration May Hold the Key to Healing Chronic Wounds, Review Suggests
- Christy Van Hoogevest
- Jun 3
- 2 min read
Updated: Jun 5
A 2023 review published in Biomedicines draws attention to a critical but often overlooked player in recovery: the lymphatic system. This system helps drain excess fluid, remove waste products, and clear out inflammatory molecules from damaged tissue — all of which are essential for proper healing.
The review focuses on lymphangiogenesis, the body’s process of forming new lymphatic vessels during wound repair. When this process is impaired — as is often the case in chronic conditions like diabetes — healing can stall, inflammation can linger, and wounds may become difficult to resolve.
These findings highlight why supporting lymphatic function is crucial for recovery. Therapies that enhance lymphatic flow, including mechanical lymphatic drainage systems, may help reduce swelling, clear inflammation, and accelerate the body’s natural repair process — especially after surgery or injury.
Study Overview
Title: Breaking a Vicious Circle: Lymphangiogenesis as a New Therapeutic Target in Wound Healing
Quick Summary: This narrative review summarizes how new lymphatic vessel formation (lymphangiogenesis) contributes to wound healing. It emphasizes the critical role of lymphatic flow in resolving inflammation and facilitating tissue repair—and how impairments in this system, especially in diabetes, can lead to chronic wounds. Researchers discuss both the biological mechanisms and potential therapeutic targets.
Key Findings
New lymph vessels support healing: The body forms new lymphatic vessels (lymphangiogenesis) during wound healing to drain fluid, reduce inflammation, and repair tissue.
Poor lymph flow delays healing: In conditions like diabetes, impaired lymphatic function can cause chronic inflammation and slow wound recovery.
Therapy opportunity: Supporting lymph flow may help break the cycle of delayed healing — making it a promising target for new treatments..
Why lympatic compression and massage helps: Lymph moves slowly and depends on external muscle contraction and gentle vessel compression—reinforcing the value of external compression systems to support lymph movement.
Study Details
Type: Narrative review
Focus: Lymphangiogenesis and its role in wound healing
Biological Processes Covered:
VEGF-A, VEGF-C, VEGF-D signaling
Inflammatory resolution
Lymphatic system function in various tissues
Clinical Relevance: Chronic wounds, inflammation management, regenerative medicine
Year Published: 2023
Where Published: Biomedicines (Vol. 11, Issue 3, Article 656)
Why It Matters
Wound healing isn't just about blood flow — it also depends on healthy lymphatic function to drain excess fluid, clear inflammatory markers, and support cellular repair. This review reinforces what many recovery-focused clinics have already observed: supporting lymphatic flow may be a game-changer in chronic wound care.
BH Labs’ mechanical lymphatic drainage system is designed to mimic the natural muscle-driven lymph movement described in this review—offering a non-invasive way to enhance fluid clearance and support healing. Whether you're treating post-surgical swelling or working with clients with inflammatory conditions, improving lymph flow may be an important tool in your recovery arsenal.