The Wittlinger Lymphedema Clinic all started in Walchsee when Günther and Hildegard Wittlinger along with their two sons Dieter and Hans-Georg moved to Walchsee in the Kaiserwinkl region of Tyrol in 1966. There they acquired the “Alpenbad”, a small spa facility with the first indoor pool in the Kufstein district. The Alpenbad was thus already equipped for treating a variety of ailments.

Dr. Vodder’s Manual Lymph Drainage (MLD) Among the many acquaintances they made before moving to Walchsee, the Wittlingers met Dr. Emil Vodder, who introduced them to the manual lymph drainage method Dr. Vodder was an example to the Wittlingers, showing them and teaching them many things. Günther Wittlinger worked with Emil Vodder toward further development of and recognition for the method. Günther and Hildegard Wittlinger took it upon themselves to ensure that Dr. Vodder’s manual lymph drainage technique was kept in its original form. They were soon able to convince local doctors of the method’s effectiveness as well.Thanks especially to the support of Dr. Ingrid Kurz, a lymph drainage therapy center was initially established, which in 1974 became the Wittlinger Therapy Center for lymphedema patients, a private medical facility.

Combined Decongestive Therapy Günther Wittlinger has played a major role in making many, consistently positive research contributions in the field of lymphology. This knowledge has enriched the range of treatments offered at the Wittlinger Therapy Center.To treat lymphedema of any origin with the optimum outcome, a combination of techniques is administered including additional bandaging, remedial exercises and skin treatment.

Additions to the facility In conventional medicine, this treatment method for lymphedema is referred to as Combined Decongestive Therapy. Expansions to the facility soon became necessary, with construction being carried out in 1971, 1975, 1985 and 1995.

Current management The center continues to be a family-run operation, currently under the leadership of the Dieter Wittlinger family. Together with his team, he succeeded in negotiating agreements with various health insurers in 1997, so that lymphedema patients from Austria are eligible for a residential stay with extensive treatment, providing them with the best possible medical care. Dr. Angela Shetty-Lee, a specialist in dermatology, is the chief physician responsible for the in-patient rehabilitation clinic. Dr. Christine Heim is the chief physician responsible for the Dr. Vodder Academy. Andreas Wittlinger is the physiotherapist responsible for the physical therapy unit.