Coconutz Health: Nature's Apothecary & Reflexology

04/04/2026

04/02/2026

We have new things underfoot!
Meet Coco our new puppy! He’s quiet, kid loving and still getting the feel of his new home! He’s a Cavapoo 1.5 yrs old and loves to be petted and snuggle! (We have yet to hear him bark!). Stop in and meet him!

04/01/2026

A healthy healing way to weight loss! Come and learn. Limited seats available - register online or in Coconutz Health Shop.

https://coconutzhealth.com/shop/ols/products/nozemphic-weight-loss-class

03/27/2026

Construction is scheduled to start Monday, March 30 and scheduled for completion in early October.

03/22/2026

03/22/2026

03/22/2026

The Stemmer sign is a simple clinical test that can help differentiate causes of swelling in the arms or legs. When someone presents with persistent swelling, the key question is not just the symptom itself, but the underlying mechanism—whether it involves fluid retention, venous issues, lipedema, or lymphedema. This distinction is important because each condition requires a different management approach.

The test is performed by gently trying to pinch and lift the skin at the base of the second toe or finger. If the skin cannot be lifted, it is called a positive Stemmer sign, which suggests thickened, fibrotic tissue often seen in lymphedema. If the skin can be lifted easily, the result is negative, making lymphedema less likely, although it does not completely rule it out.

In terms of accuracy, the Stemmer sign is known to be highly sensitive, meaning most people with established lymphedema will eventually show a positive result. However, its specificity is moderate. This means a positive result strongly supports lymphedema, but other conditions can sometimes produce similar findings. Likewise, a negative result can occur in early-stage lymphedema before tissue changes become more permanent.

There are also situations where the test may be misleading. False positives can occur in individuals with severe obesity or other causes of skin thickening unrelated to lymphatic dysfunction. On the other hand, false negatives are more common in the early phase of lymphedema, when the tissue has not yet developed fibrosis. Because of this, the test should always be interpreted within a broader clinical context.

In conditions like lipedema, the Stemmer sign is typically negative because the swelling is driven by abnormal fat distribution rather than lymphatic fluid. However, if a person with lipedema develops a positive Stemmer sign, it may indicate progression to lipo-lymphedema. Ultimately, while the Stemmer sign is a useful and quick bedside tool, a complete diagnosis should include medical history, physical examination, limb measurements, and, when necessary, imaging studies.