Lipedema, Trauma & the Path to Gentle Healing: My Holistic Approach
Hey Mama…If you’ve been told that you need to exercise more or eat less or your body is just “stubborn fat,” but deep down you know something else is going on you’re not alone.
Lipedema is a misunderstood condition that affects millions of women, often silently and for years before getting a name or a plan. It’s characterized by painful fat accumulation, mostly in the hips, thighs, calves, buttocks, and sometimes arms. You might feel swelling, heaviness, or bruising for no clear reason, and if all that isn’t frustrating enough, it doesn’t respond to diet or workouts the way we expect.
As a midwife and holistic practitioner, I’ve seen how deeply this condition affects women not just physically, but emotionally too. My intention for diving into this topic is… I want you to know…it’s not your fault.
Lipedema & the Trauma Link
One of the most powerful and validating things I’ve found in my research is that lipedema is not just a “fat problem” it’s a connective tissue and lymphatic issue, and for many women, it’s tied to unresolved trauma.
That trauma may have been:
• Childhood emotional neglect
• Medical gaslighting or dismissal
• Sexual or physical abuse
• Chronic stress or burnout
• Even the trauma of being in a body that never “fit the mold”
Trauma lives in the body; it’s not just a mental health issue. It can completely dysregulate your nervous system, throw off your hormones, impair lymphatic flow, and contribute to inflammation. Over time, your body may begin to store that trauma in your tissues. And for some of us, that storage looks like lipedema
A Gentle Path Forward
Unfortunately there’s no magic cure, but… there is a way forward, one that’s nurturing, empowering, and rooted in supporting your whole self.
Here’s what I personally do and recommend to my clients who are navigating lipedema with a history of trauma:
1. Essential Oils for Nervous System & Lymph Support
Our lymphatic system is deeply influenced by our emotional state. When we feel safe, heard, and calm, our body moves lymph more freely. I use essential oils in my own practice to support both emotional release and lymphatic movement.
• Frankincense: Grounds the nervous system and promotes cellular repair
• Grapefruit or Cypress: Help stimulate lymphatic flow and reduce fluid retention
• Adaptiv, Lavender & Roman Chamomile: Soothe the nervous system, especially if trauma triggers still linger.
• Aromatic Touch: A synergistic blend that supports healthy circulation and tissue tone, it’s like a massage in a bottle.
Use these in a diluted roller bottle, lymphatic massage, dry brushing, or simply in your diffuser for gentle, daily support. The AromaTouch Technique is one of my favorite ways to support the nervous system. Let me know if you’d like to learn more about this.
2. Vibration Plate for Lymph Movement & Pain Relief
One of the easiest and most effective tools I’ve found for lipedema support is a vibration plate. It helps move lymphatic fluid, reduce heaviness and swelling, and may even improve pain over time.
I use and love the Rumblex Plus 4D Vibration Plate by LifePro. It combines multiple vibration modes and can be used passively (just sit or stand on it!) or more actively if you’re up for movement. Many women with lipedema report feeling lighter, more mobile, and more energized after regular use. I have been using mine for a few months and have definitely notice a difference.
I have a 20% discount for you here:
Rumblex Plus 4D Vibration Plate – Lifepro
It’s an investment in your daily lymph support and trauma-informed self-care.
You Are Not Alone
Lipedema is not “all in your head,” and your body is not broken. It’s responding in the only way it knows how with protection, with storage, with pain as a signal that something needs gentler attention.
Whether you’re newly diagnosed or still wondering if this is what’s going on with your body, I see you. Healing may not be linear, but it is possible, especially when we bring in the tools that support your nervous system, your lymphatic system, and your emotional well-being.
If you’re navigating this journey and want to explore more holistic tools from oils to personalized plans, please reach out. You don’t have to do this alone.
Warmly,
Stephanie
Midwife • Wellness Alchemist • Root Cause Practitioner
