Remedial Massage & Lymphedema Therapy
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improve quality of life
LYMPHATIC HEALTH AWARENESS
Education Therapy
facilitate positive outcomes
Lymphedema Treatment
Lymphedema management has a holistic multidisciplinary approach and is provided by qualified lymphoedema therapists. The treatment method is called Combined Decongestive therapy (CDT).
CDT consists of the following components
Education
Skin care
Exercise
Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD)
Compression therapy
Treatment is individualized for each client and not all components of treatment may be necessary in all cases. Those with mild lymphoedema may only require education, exercise and skin care whereas for more severe cases treatment may be longer and require two phases. Phase I is an intensive treatment provided by a trained lymphoedema therapist followed by Phase II, which is self management that the client continues at home. With improved health education people are reporting early limb changes promptly and this is contributing to a reduction in the need for intensive treatments
Phase I – Intensive treatment consists of daily
Skin care to optimise the condition of the skin, reverse skin changes and treat infections.
Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) to enhance lymph flow. This precedes bandaging and directs lymph fluid to functioning lymphatic territories and helps to establish collateral drainage pathways.
Application of multi-layer compression bandaging.
Exercises to increase lymphatic and venous flow.
Psychosocial support.
A compression garment is prescribed, following a successful reduction. This is essential to preserve the reduction achieved by treatment and to help prevent progression of the lymphoedema.
Education is incorporated to ensure that the client understands their condition and all parts of the intensive treatment as well as the importance of phase II.
Phase II - Home maintenance programme
Clients are educated by their therapist in the need for self-management to maintain the results achieved in Phase I.
Without the active involvement of the client, the successful outcome of treatment may not be sustained.
The routine adopted may vary from person to person but will usually include daily skin care and prevention of infection, regular self massage, exercises and the wearing of the prescribed compression garment(s). Clients will be encouraged to practice self monitoring and adopt a healthy lifestyle that includes attention to diet, fitness and weight management.
At times this treatment may be offered in a modified form to accommodate particular individual needs.
