Lipoedema is an unpleasant everyday companion for many patients. As a curative therapy does not yet exist, the focus is shifting to measures to alleviate the symptoms. A study investigated whether a targeted home exercise program with the SPINEFITTER® by SISSEL® can positively influence the perception of pain and tension as well as the well-being of lipoedema patients. Lipoedema is a chronic, progressive and painful disease of the subcutaneous fatty tissue of the lower and/or upper extremities. Men are extremely rarely affected by lipoedema, the main symptoms of which include pain and feelings of tightness, oedema, haematomas after minor trauma and often psychosocial problems, a reduced quality of life and sometimes accompanying illnesses such as lymphoedema or obesity.
Although there are many theories and hypotheses, it has not yet been conclusively clarified how lipoedema develops and what triggers it. This also applies for the pathophysiology, the reasons for the variety of symptoms and the reasons for lipoedema cannot be influenced. This makes it challenging for both sufferers and therapists to deal with the disease, as there is currently no curative treatment for lipoedema. Conservative measures such as combined physical decongestive therapy (CDT), which includes targeted exercise therapy concepts, have been established to alleviate the symptoms and delay the progression of lipoedema as well as to prevent dermatological, lymphatic and orthopaedic complications. With the incipient paradigm shift in lipoedema treatment, the focus of therapeutic measures is increasingly shifting to pain relief, psychological stress for patients and self-management training.
Lipoedema is an unpleasant everyday companion for many patients. As a curative therapy does not yet exist, the focus is shifting to measures to alleviate the symptoms. A study investigated whether a targeted home exercise program with the SPINEFITTER® by SISSEL® can positively influence the perception of pain and tension as well as the well-being of lipoedema patients. Lipoedema is a chronic, progressive and painful disease of the subcutaneous fatty tissue of the lower and/or upper extremities. Men are extremely rarely affected by lipoedema, the main symptoms of which include pain and feelings of tightness, oedema, haematomas after minor trauma and often psychosocial problems, a reduced quality of life and sometimes accompanying illnesses such as lymphoedema or obesity.
Although there are many theories and hypotheses, it has not yet been conclusively clarified how lipoedema develops and what triggers it. This also applies for the pathophysiology, the reasons for the variety of symptoms and the reasons for lipoedema cannot be influenced. This makes it challenging for both sufferers and therapists to deal with the disease, as there is currently no curative treatment for lipoedema. Conservative measures such as combined physical decongestive therapy (CDT), which includes targeted exercise therapy concepts, have been established to alleviate the symptoms and delay the progression of lipoedema as well as to prevent dermatological, lymphatic and orthopaedic complications. With the incipient paradigm shift in lipoedema treatment, the focus of therapeutic measures is increasingly shifting to pain relief, psychological stress for patients and self-management training.
In addition to the measures mentioned above, exercise and training are an important element in reducing patients' pain and should be included in an overall therapeutic concept. Aids and small devices, such as the SPINEFITTER by SISSEL, can also be used here. Whether training with the SPINEFITTER by SISSEL has positive effects on the pain experience, the feeling of pain and tension as well as the general feeling of well-being in lipoedema patients should be investigated in a study. The specific research question was therefore: What effects can be achieved in lipoedema patients through a six-week home exercise intervention with the treatment instrument on the individual perception of pain and tension, on the individual pain experience and on the individually perceived quality of life?
The training device used in the study offers a supplement and expansion of treatment options in physiotherapy due to its design, versatility and extensive range of uses. In conjunction with a special exercise program, the treatment instrument can be used to support patients in the self-management of their lipoedema-related symptoms, in particular pain perception. The results of the study will be used to objectify the practical experience to date with the treatment instrument and the benefits for lipoedema patients. for women with diagnosed lipoedema and the resulting feelings of pain and tension, the aim was to investigate whether the targeted use of the training device can improve or alleviate these symptoms and change the pain experience. Furthermore, the question should be clarified as to whether the application can lead to an improvement in the individually perceived quality of life of the participants.
This prospective longitudinal study with a pre-post design used standardized questionnaires to determine the extent to which a specific intervention with the training device influences the individual perception of pain and tension, the individual experience of pain and the individually perceived quality of life. From the patient population
of various physiotherapy practices, through local call notices and via self-help groups and social media channels, 108 women were recruited as study participants. Inclusion criteria were diagnosed lipoedema with feelings of pain and tightness, exclusion criteria were the presence of serious acute health problems and previous experience with the treatment instrument used and/or its predecessor model.
During the study period of six weeks, the participants independently carried out a specific home exercise program (three times a week, 15 minutes each) with the training device to which they had previously been instructed. Illustrated training workbooks and exercise videos were provided to make it easier to follow the individual exercises. The training units were based on the content and principles of physiotherapy and manual therapy. Each training session began with a short, preparatory warm-up program. The main part consisted of a predetermined sequence of nine different basic exercises, which were performed independently in a supine and standing position. The final part was a relaxation and awareness exercise. Before and after the six-week training program, the individual perception of pain and tension, the individual experience of pain and the individually perceived quality of life were determined using standardized questionnaires.
In addition to the measures mentioned above, exercise and training are an important element in reducing patients' pain and should be included in an overall therapeutic concept. Aids and small devices, such as the SPINEFITTER by SISSEL, can also be used here. Whether training with the SPINEFITTER by SISSEL has positive effects on the pain experience, the feeling of pain and tension as well as the general feeling of well-being in lipoedema patients should be investigated in a study. The specific research question was therefore: What effects can be achieved in lipoedema patients through a six-week home exercise intervention with the treatment instrument on the individual perception of pain and tension, on the individual pain experience and on the individually perceived quality of life?
The training device used in the study offers a supplement and expansion of treatment options in physiotherapy due to its design, versatility and extensive range of uses. In conjunction with a special exercise program, the treatment instrument can be used to support patients in the self-management of their lipoedema-related symptoms, in particular pain perception. The results of the study will be used to objectify the practical experience to date with the treatment instrument and the benefits for lipoedema patients. for women with diagnosed lipoedema and the resulting feelings of pain and tension, the aim was to investigate whether the targeted use of the training device can improve or alleviate these symptoms and change the pain experience. Furthermore, the question should be clarified as to whether the application can lead to an improvement in the individually perceived quality of life of the participants.
This prospective longitudinal study with a pre-post design used standardized questionnaires to determine the extent to which a specific intervention with the training device influences the individual perception of pain and tension, the individual experience of pain and the individually perceived quality of life. From the patient population
of various physiotherapy practices, through local call notices and via self-help groups and social media channels, 108 women were recruited as study participants. Inclusion criteria were diagnosed lipoedema with feelings of pain and tightness, exclusion criteria were the presence of serious acute health problems and previous experience with the treatment instrument used and/or its predecessor model.
During the study period of six weeks, the participants independently carried out a specific home exercise program (three times a week, 15 minutes each) with the training device to which they had previously been instructed. Illustrated training workbooks and exercise videos were provided to make it easier to follow the individual exercises. The training units were based on the content and principles of physiotherapy and manual therapy. Each training session began with a short, preparatory warm-up program. The main part consisted of a predetermined sequence of nine different basic exercises, which were performed independently in a supine and standing position. The final part was a relaxation and awareness exercise. Before and after the six-week training program, the individual perception of pain and tension, the individual experience of pain and the individually perceived quality of life were determined using standardized questionnaires.
The results confirm previous experience that the targeted use of the training device with a specific home exercise program has a positive effect on the subjective perception of pain and tension, on the affective experience of pain and on the general well-being of lipoedema patients. In particular, a significant improvement in the individually perceived quality of life was observed. The participants did not report any side effects of the interventions, such as pain, restricted movement or tension.
These results are fully consistent with Oliver Gültig's observations of lipedema patients. He has been a member of the International Society of Lymphology since 1984 and is CEO of GUELTIG LYMPHOLOGY training and consulting GmbH as well as a member and scientific advisor of the German Society for Phlebology and Lymphology and says: "The complaints of this patient group are by no means limited to the local pressure-sensitive areas in the legs and hips. Rather, posture-related, orthopaedically relevant pain syndromes often also occur - particularly in the knee joints and spine. Daily use of the Spinefitter can noticeably reduce the general level of pain. In this way, those affected - in addition to any necessary physiotherapy measures - can sustainably improve their physical condition and actively contribute to their quality of life through targeted self-management."
The targeted use of the "SPINEFITTER by SISSEL" training device provides lipoedema patients for an opportunity to help alleviate the perception of pain and tension, reduce the affective experience of pain and improve general well-being as part of self-management in the treatment of lipoedema-related symptoms. The use of the training device therefore opens up possibilities for influencing the symptoms of lipoedema on the basis of an easy and independent home exercise program. In order to generalize the results, control group studies, an increase in the number of test subjects and further studies with specific target and user groups (e.g. clinical pictures or types of sport) are necessary.
The results confirm previous experience that the targeted use of the training device with a specific home exercise program has a positive effect on the subjective perception of pain and tension, on the affective experience of pain and on the general well-being of lipoedema patients. In particular, a significant improvement in the individually perceived quality of life was observed. The participants did not report any side effects of the interventions, such as pain, restricted movement or tension.
These results are fully consistent with Oliver Gültig's observations of lipedema patients. He has been a member of the International Society of Lymphology since 1984 and is CEO of GUELTIG LYMPHOLOGY training and consulting GmbH as well as a member and scientific advisor of the German Society for Phlebology and Lymphology and says: "The complaints of this patient group are by no means limited to the local pressure-sensitive areas in the legs and hips. Rather, posture-related, orthopaedically relevant pain syndromes often also occur - particularly in the knee joints and spine. Daily use of the Spinefitter can noticeably reduce the general level of pain. In this way, those affected - in addition to any necessary physiotherapy measures - can sustainably improve their physical condition and actively contribute to their quality of life through targeted self-management."
The targeted use of the "SPINEFITTER by SISSEL" training device provides lipoedema patients for an opportunity to help alleviate the perception of pain and tension, reduce the affective experience of pain and improve general well-being as part of self-management in the treatment of lipoedema-related symptoms. The use of the training device therefore opens up possibilities for influencing the symptoms of lipoedema on the basis of an easy and independent home exercise program. In order to generalize the results, control group studies, an increase in the number of test subjects and further studies with specific target and user groups (e.g. clinical pictures or types of sport) are necessary.
*The following text is based on the specialist study by SISSEL Germany from 2025.
Text source 1:
AWMF: Guidelines of the German Society for Phlebology: S2k Guideline 037/12: Lipoedema. Version 5: 01/2024
Text source 2:
Kruppa P et al (2020): Lipedema - Pathogenesis, Diagnosis and Treatment. Dtsch Arztebl Int 117: 396-403.
Text source 3:
Bauer AT, von Lukowicz D, Lossagk K et al (2019): New Insights on Lipedema: The Enigmatic Disease of the Peripheral Fat. Plast Reconstr
Surg 144:1475-1484.
Text source 4:
West-Leuer B (2023): Pain perception in the lipohyperplasia dolorosa patient. Reflections on psychodynamics. In:
Cornely, M. E., Marsch, W. C., Brenner, E. (eds): Applied Lymphology:419-432. Springer Verlag.
Text source 5:
Jandali Z, Merwart B, Jiga L (2021):
The lipoedema. Springer publishing house
Text source 6:
Hesse U, Hesse A, Hesse L, Schultz E, Kaiser M (2021): Lipoedema today: Between conservative therapy, liposuction and bariatric surgery, Akt Dermatol 47: 441-450 Thieme Verlag.
*The following text is based on the specialist study by SISSEL Germany from 2025.
Text source 1:
AWMF: Guidelines of the German Society for Phlebology: S2k Guideline 037/12: Lipoedema. Version 5: 01/2024
Text source 2:
Kruppa P et al (2020): Lipedema - Pathogenesis, Diagnosis and Treatment. Dtsch Arztebl Int 117: 396-403.
Text source 3:
Bauer AT, von Lukowicz D, Lossagk K et al (2019): New Insights on Lipedema: The Enigmatic Disease of the Peripheral Fat. Plast Reconstr
Surg 144:1475-1484.
Text source 4:
West-Leuer B (2023): Pain perception in the lipohyperplasia dolorosa patient. Reflections on psychodynamics. In:
Cornely, M. E., Marsch, W. C., Brenner, E. (eds): Applied Lymphology:419-432. Springer Verlag.
Text source 5:
Jandali Z, Merwart B, Jiga L (2021):
The lipoedema. Springer publishing house
Text source 6:
Hesse U, Hesse A, Hesse L, Schultz E, Kaiser M (2021): Lipoedema today: Between conservative therapy, liposuction and bariatric surgery, Akt Dermatol 47: 441-450 Thieme Verlag.
