Lymphedema Management
Candidates for Treatment
- Breast Cancer
- Following Post-Mastectomy Surgery
- Following Prostate Surgery
- Hodgkin’s disease
- Lymphedema following radiation
- Lymphedema resulting from Chronic Venous Insufficiency
- Lymphedema resulting from Traumatic Injuries
What is Lymphedema?
Lymphedema is the accumulation of fluid that results when the lymphatic system is not working properly. Lymphedema is classified as either primary or secondary. Primary involves a lack of enough lymphatic vessels, believed to be present at birth. Secondary lymphedema may be caused by surgery (removal of lymph nodes), trauma, or radiation.
Aquacare’s Lymphedema Recovery Program
The Lymphedema Recovery Program at Aquacare Rehab Services assists individuals to manage their symptoms of lymphedema and help them improve their quality of life. Individuals will learn how to reduce swelling and minimize future complications. Each individual will receive instruction on a specialized home exercise program. Training in self-care, self-bandaging and gentle stretching will be provided as an intricate aspect of this program.
Stages of Treatment
Patient Education – The patient is educated on preventive measures, skin care, exercises, and self-management techniques.
Manual Lymph Drainage (MLD) – A hands on technique performed by a therapist. Unlike traditional massage, it is designed to mobilize excess fluid from obstructed tissues and unblock lymph vessels, promoting proper lymphatic drainage.
Compression Bandaging – A bandaging technique used to prevent return of fluid and to assist in the continuous flow of lymph through the pumping action of the muscles and lymph vessels.
Therapeutic Exercise – Exercise assists in the mobility of the fluid, by the pumping action of the muscles. Also promotes flexibility, strength, and endurance.
Compression Garment – Once the swelling has decreased an individually custom fabricated compression sleeve is used to maintain reductions in swelling.