LYMPHEDEMA THERAPY
What is lymphedema?
Lymphedema is a persistent swelling of a body part due to a blockage in lymphatic flow when nodes or vessels are damaged or abnormal. The swelling may result in pain, decreased range of motion, and/or weakness. This results in the abnormal accumulation of protein.
What is lipedema?
Lipedema is a persistent swelling of a body part due to the accumulation of fatty tissue and fluid. This results in pain and also known as painful fat syndrome. It involves the hips, thighs, and ankles; the feet are not affected. Lipedema appears as a symmetrical ring of tissue around the extremity, and doesn't respond to weight loss. This is not a dysfunction of the lymphatic system but can contribute and initiate problems with lymphatic flow.
TYPES OF LYMPHEDEMA
PRIMARY - from birth or developed later in life
-
Birth-developmental abnormality of the lymphatic system
-
Lymphatic vessels are impaired or missing
-
Praecox-appears in puberty and occurs mostly in females; typically, one leg is affected
-
Tarda- appears later in life, can be male or female, sudden onset swelling with no apparent cause
SECONDARY - lymph nodes were removed or lymph vessels damaged due to one or more of the following:
-
Surgery and/or radiation treatment of breast, gynecological, head, neck, prostate, testicular; bladder, colon cancer or melanomas
-
Trauma, injury or accident resulting in blocked/damaged lymph system
-
Infections-interrupt normal lymph pathway function
-
Tumors
-
Radiation Therapy
How do we treat Lymphedema?
-
Hands-on, one-on-one, 45-60 min in comfortable private treatment rooms
-
Complete Decongestive Therapy consists of Manual Lymph Drainage (MLD) and compression bandaging
-
MLD, soft tissue mobilization, scar mobilization
-
Compression bandaging and garments
-
Modalities, including cold laser, ultrasound, electrical stimulation
-
Therapeutic exercises, including range of motion, stretching and strengthening
-
Patient education to maintain decreased edema, posture re-education, body mechanics, skin care