Therapies

Do you experience chronic swelling, particularly in your arms or legs? This could be a sign of lymphoedema or lipoedema, two conditions with similar symptoms but different causes. One of our qualified therapists can properly diagnose the cause of your swelling and recommend the best course of treatment. If you’re concerned about leg or arm swelling, consider scheduling a consultation with one of our specialists.

Exercise Videos

workout, ball, pilates-1931107.jpg
Click here

Manual Lymph Drainage

Lymphatic drainage massage, also known as manual lymphatic drainage, is a type of massage therapy performed by our certified lymphedema therapists. It entails a lite massage to stimulate lymphatic flow.

hands, massage, treatment-

Lymphedema Management

Management of the condition involves a comprehensive approach that aims to decrease swelling. The treatment plan is a combination of techniques, including manual lymph drainage (MLD), physical exercise, compression garments, dietary modifications, and a personalized home care program."

Compression Garments

The objective of conservative treatment is to minimize interstitial fluid buildup. During the initial treatment phase, a three-layer compression system is utilized as a reduction kit to achieve this goal. Our skilled therapist will work with you to ensure a precise fit, as compression garments are tailored to individual patient needs, providing personalized guidance throughout the process.

Lymphoedema

Lymphoedema is an abnormal, long term swelling of part/s of your
body caused by a collection of lymphatic fluid in the tissue below the
skin. It occurs when there is a dysfunction in the lymphatic system.
The lymphatic system is a network of vessels and glands
throughout the body that helps fight infection and remove excess
fluid.

In this condition, the lymphatic fluid doesn’t drain properly, which leads to swelling, typically in the arms or legs, but it can affect other areas of the body as well.

  • Full or heavy sensation in the body part at risk
  • Painless or painful swelling
  • Tightness in the skin
  • Difficulty wearing clothes, tight jewellery
  • Long standing swelling causes skin changes and the tissue becomes thickened and hard

 

As per International Society of Lymphology (ISL) Stage 0:

A subclinical state where swelling is not evident despite impaired lymph transport. This stage may exist for months or years before oedema becomes evident

  • Latency stage

  • Reduced transport capacity/compromised system

  • No clinical signs or symptoms

Stage I:

Early onset of the condition where there is accumulation of tissue fluid that subsides with limb elevation. Oedema may be pitting at this stage or not

  • Spontaneously reversible stage

  • Soft oedema or mild pitting

  • Elevation reduces swelling completely

  • No skin/tissue changes

Stage II:

Limb elevation rarely reduces oedema

  • Pitting oedema which does not reduce with limb elevation

  • Spontaneously irreversible stage

  • Positive Stemmer sign

  • Frequent infections or Cellulitis

  • Skin tissue changes – fibrosis or hardening of tissue, nonpitting, in late Stage II

Late Stage II:

may or may not be pitting as tissue fibrosis is more evident

Stage III:

Lymphostatic elephantiasis

  • Positive Stemmer sign

  • tissue is hard (fibrotic) and pitting is absent

  • skin changes thickening, hyperpigmentation

  • Extreme increase in volume and deep skin folds

  • Hard, thickened noncompressible skin

  • Skin changes include papillomatosis

  • Hyperkeratosis

  • Stage as 3 if papillomatosis and hyperkeratosis are present, even if

large amount of oedema is not present

Any person that went through cancer related treatments, cosmetic surgery, orthopedic surgery, vascular conditions (phlebology), obesity, family history of lymphoedema, untreated wounds and cellulitis.  Treatment is aimed at reducing the swelling and education about self-management.

Image result

 
Lymphedema is most commonly caused by the removal of or damage to your lymph nodes as a part of cancer treatment and or other damage to the lymphatic system. It results from a blockage or damage of the lymphatic system, which is part of your immune system. The blockage/damage prevents lymph fluid from draining well, and the fluid buildup leads to swelling.
 

Complete decongestive therapy

  1. Manual Lymphatic drainage
  2. Compression
  3. Light exercise
  4. Self management
  5. Dietary adjustments         

Liphoedema

Lipoedema is an abnormal build-up of fat in your legs and sometimes arms. It can be painful and affect activities of daily living, but therapy and treatment options are available.

It is a chronic condition in which fat disproportionally increases in specific areas of the body. It most often occurs in the legs and occur in woman more often. The obesity often seen in lipoedema patients may lead to damage in the lymphatic system and induce secondary lymphoedema.

  1. Feeling of heaviness in the legs ​
  2. Bruise easily
  3. Struggling to loose weight
  4. Swelling of the affected body part/s

 
 

It is a hereditary and/or genetic condition

 

Complete decongestive therapy 

Manual Lymphatic drainage 

Compression 

Light exercise 

Self-management

Additional treatments may include intermittent pneumatic compression therapy (IPC), and laser or lymph taping. Several surgical interventions are also available for the management of lymphedema, all of which require long-term post-surgical compression therapy.

 

Lipedoema is a chronic condition that needs an individual holistic treatment approach focusing on the patient’s needs and enabling daily functioning.  Thereby self-management is very important. 

 Compression therapy is an integral part of the treatment plan for all these conditions by using garments or short stretch bandages.

In addition, regular exercises, most suitable for each patient, have to be integrated into daily life. 

Furthermore, relaxation (yoga, mindfulness training) and psychotherapy are helpful.  Liposuction is suitable only for some patient groups.

Optimizing the health situation, avoiding risk factors and continuing lipoedoema treatment is essential to managing lipoedoema.