Restorative therapies tailored to your needs
Comprehensive Lymphedema Care
Your lymphatic system is made up of lymph vessels (like veins) and lymph nodes located in the neck, armpits, abdomen, and groin. Lymphatics are integral in immune function and circulation. Lymphatic vessels collect lymph fluid that is made of water, proteins, and waste products from the tissue space. Lymph fluid is transported to the regional lymph nodes for filtration, and continues into the bloodstream and back to your heart.
When this normal transportation of lymphatic fluid is disrupted, a backup of fluid occurs, and can lead to swelling. This swelling is called lymphedema. Clinical lymphedema is a chronic, life-long disease that is manageable, although does not yet have a cure.
There is higher risk of developing lymphedema following surgery, radiation, or removal of lymph nodes. Symptoms may develop within a few weeks or even years after these procedures, or not at all. Some types of cancer have a higher incidence of secondary lymphedema, including: breast, melanoma, and pelvic cancers (prostate, bladder, anal, rectal cancer, cervical, ovarian, uterine, vaginal, vulvar, regional sarcoma).
Treatment for Clinical Lymphedema
Treatment for Clinical Lymphedema
Complete Decongestive Therapy (CDT) is the gold standard of treatment once lymphedema becomes chronic. There are surgical procedures performed by specialists that can supplement this treatment, as well.
CDT is safe and non-invasive. It consists of two phases:
Phase 1: Decongestion
Complete Decongestive Therapy (CDT) is the gold standard of treatment once lymphedema becomes chronic. There are surgical procedures performed by specialists that can supplement this treatment, as well.
CDT is safe and non-invasive. It consists of two phases:
Phase 1: Decongestion
Step 1: Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD)
Step 1: Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD)
A gentle, superficial massage technique that stimulates healthy lymph nodes and facilitates movement of lymphatic fluid back into the circulatory system.
Step 2: Compression Therapy
Step 2: Compression Therapy
Your therapist will recommend a form of compression. It may be a medical compression garment or require compression bandaging. Bandaging involves specialized short stretch wraps applied to the affected limb and worn day and night until the limb volume is reduced to its full potential. The bandaging is changed 3-5x/week during this period, averaging two weeks in duration.
Step 3: Decongestive Exercises/Activities
Step 3: Decongestive Exercises/Activities
A customized activity program is designed to further assist in fluid reduction.
Step 4: Education, skin/nail care
Step 4: Education, skin/nail care
Self care education can optimize the initial therapy phase and limit risk of infection.
Lymphedema Develops in Stages
Lymphedema Develops in Stages
