Lymphoedema Specialist Treatment at Physio + Fitness Clinic
Lymphoedema Treatment at Physio + Fitness Clinic
Lymphoedema is when the lymphatic system becomes dysfunctional causing swelling or edema that won’t go away.
Swelling can occur for lots of reasons, but lymphoedema often occurs following cancer treatment, tissue trauma, wounds, acute infections, cardiac failure, blood vessel issues, thyroid, kidney or liver dysfunction, obesity, and can sometimes be linked to medications.
Lymphoedema therapy is a specialised field of therapy, which aims to prevent and manage this condition. Complex lymphoedema therapy can utilise specific massage techniques, skin care, exercise and compression to reduce and/ or control the swelling, improve range of movement and prevent infection.
There is a large focus on education and self massage for your home treatment.
Physio and Fitness Clinic has two trained Lymphoedema therapists – Morgan Deegan (Physio) and Temika Rae-Peters (Myotherapist).
We use the latest technology in fluid detection, allowing identification of sub-clinical lymphoedema – The SOZO machine. This aids in determining whether early intervention is warranted, with the aim of reducing the likelihood of developing lymphoedema.
Everyone is different. There is no “cookie cutter” treatment here. Every individual is unique, and this requires an accurate diagnosis. We use a number of proven techniques and equipment to help detect, and speed up the movement of your lymphatic system, and ensure your management is first rate.
Want to know more about Lipoedema? Check out our article.
Compression
Compression garments can help reduce and stop lymphoedema from progressing. It is important that compression garments are replaced every six months in order to make sure the pressure being applied to your body remains consistent and graded. We measure and fit the compression garment to make sure it is appropriate and comfortable for you. We also demonstrate how best to apply and remove them.
MLD
Manual Lymphatic Drainage is a specialised massage technique completed by qualified lymphoedema practitioners. This utilises the functioning lymph vessels to shift the swelling from the affected area in a systematic and gentle manner. This treatment is part of a holistic approach to lymphoedema management.
Exercise
We recommend gentle exercise for our patients to aid the lymphatic system. Lymph fluid circulates in a way similar to blood pulsing through your veins and arteries. The main difference is that lymphatic circulation occurs as a result of repeated muscle contractions that occur while you are, well moving the muscles. Lymph fluid will flow toward any area of your body where it’s needed most such as when you are exercising or if the tissue becomes injured in case of a cut or wound.
Even laying down with small movement or even deep breathing will be enough to encourage the fluid flow and we recommend getting plenty of rest time outside of your daily physical therapy routine because it’s equally important.
Bandaging
Bandaging is important in severe cases of lymphoedema. Once the swelling has reduced with bandaging a compression garment can be fitted for daily use. Bandaging can also be used while garments are being made to maintain limb size. Bandaging is done after treatment to apply graded pressure and help stop the return of lymph to the limb.
Education
At Physio and Fitness Clinic we educate our clients on Lymphoedema as it is a lifelong condition. Learning how to manage your condition and avoiding triggers will help you gain a lot of independence. Our self-care techniques will teach you how to apply your compression garments correctly, massage your affected limbs to allow for effective lymph movement, and provide exercise programs which can be done at home.
Skin
Lymphoedema can cause red rash like patches on the skin. Keeping your skin healthy and protected is a must. Daily moisturizing and skin care can help you to avoid infections. Antibiotics may be necessary depending on how unwell you are, followed by swift action to keep the condition from worsening further so that antibiotics may become less necessary.
Lymphoedema Therapist Vs Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD)
It is important to understand that not every therapist that offers Manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) is equipped to help manage a lymphatic condition.
A lymphoedema specialist therapist is trained to assess, manage and treat lymphatic conditions. These include both lymphoedema and Lipoedema. A lymphatic condition is when there is damage to the lymphatic system and the body struggles to perform as it should.
This can be because a person is born with a condition such as Lipoedema, they have undergone surgery damaging the system, or had treatment for cancer.
MLD is a technique used by many hands on therapists to help move lymphatic fluid. It consists of a specific, very gentle technique to physically push the fluid towards the lymph nodes. This is beneficial for people with and without lymphatic conditions.
If a person has either lymphoedema or Lipoedema the therapists may choose to involve MLD along with a compression garment prescription, compression pumping, laser, bandaging and exercise prescription. Some or all of these might be useful to manage the person’s condition.
A lymphoedema Therapist should be registered with the Australasian Lymphology Association which is a governing body to make sure all therapists have the correct qualifications, and insurances and they keep up to date with their mandatory training each year.
If the therapist is not a part of this Association then they are more likely to be a massage therapist who enjoys performing MLD for clients.
If a person thinks they have a lymphatic condition then they need to be seeing a qualified Lymphoedema therapist.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What is Lymphoedema?
A. Lymphoedema is classified as damage to the lymphatic system when swelling will not go away. You will often hear about people developing lymphoedema after cancer treatment.
Q. How long will lymphoedema last?
A. Unfortunately lymphoedema will not simply go away. It can be managed with the help of a lymphoedema therapist and most people learn to live with lymphoedema very well with little impact on their lives. The important part is to seek treatment early as the earlier it is caught the better the outcome.
Q. Do I need compression garments?
A.A good quality well fitting compression garment is the lymphatic system’s best friend however it is important to discuss this with a qualified lymphoedema therapist to make sure you are in the correct garment.
Garments differ in their design and a therapist will use different garments depending on a number of factors including lifestyle, severity of condition, the ability to get the garment on and off and thankfully today there are that many they can even be changed for a person’s individual style.
Q. How do I know if I have lymphoedema?
A.The signs will be slow to appear, it will normally start with a tight or heavy feeling in the limb affected. The important thing is to get it looked at early. The sooner the area is assessed by a qualified Lymphoedema Therapist the easier it will be to control long term and the lower the risk of secondary issues such as cellulitis occurring.
Q. What is the difference between lymphoedema and lipoedema?
A.Lymphoedema is damage to the lymphatic system where as lipoedema is a diseased fat that grows regardless of diet or exercise due to its genetic disposition. Lymphoedema Therapists can help with both, and just like lymphoedema getting an early diagnosis for lipoedema is vital.
Q. Is lymphoedema treatment covered under medicare?
A. Unfortunately no, both lymphoedema and Lipoedema are both waiting to be put on and there is no time frame for this to happen. However the different associations are working in the background to try and get the recognition these conditions need.
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