Southwest Florida's Health and Wellness Magazine Health and Wellness Articles
By James Ferrara, Lymphedema Therapist
Do You Have lymphedema? Lymphedema is a build-up of lymphatic fluid throughout the body, and it is usually a secondary issue that arises after cancer treatment or lymph node removal; it can also be a critical indicator for individuals that an illness or adverse reaction is occurring in their bodies.
Lymphedema is a threatening disorder that needs to be treated and properly managed. The fluid must be safely guided through the body to remove the excess. Lymphedema can happen to anyone, but women are more susceptible to the disorder and often, are unfortunately underdiagnosed or misdiagnosed altogether. Lymphedema can cause physical debilitations and physiological distress.
Lymphedema disposes the affected area to an ongoing inflammatory process that, if untreated, can progress to skin fibrosis, adipose tissue accumulation, and further accumulation of fluid, causing disfiguring swelling, disability, and infections such as cellulitis.1
WHAT IS THE TREATMENT FOR LYMPHEDEMA?
Complete Decongestive Therapy
1. Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) — A manual technique to mobilize fluid in the lymph system that is very light and gentle.
2. Compression — Low stretch compression bandages that help increase lymph flow by increasing resting and working pressures to decrease the lymphedema in the limb; this also assists the efficiency of the muscle pump to decrease lymph-edema and prevents fluid from returning.
3. Skin Care — Reduces the risk for infection and helps prevent dry skin from cracking.
4. Exercises — Improves lymph flow and improves venous return.
5. Self-Care Management and Training — Allows the patient to minimize spikes in fluid retention.
YOU CAN GET TREATMENTS IN THE COMFORT OF YOUR HOME
Many people are concerned about visiting a medical office due to COVID-19. My services are unique in that we come to you via our Mobile Outpatient Occupational Therapy Services. You don’t have to leave your home.
MOBILE OUTPATIENT OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY SERVICES
Lymphedema therapy
• Decrease lymphedema
• Promote wound healing
• Decrease fibrotic tissue hardening
• Increase functional mobility and quality of life
• Decrease swelling due to acute trauma
• Help reduce edema from chronic venous
insufficiency
Occupational Therapy
• Upper Extremity Orthopedic Injuries
• Work on ADL’s
• Home Safety Evaluations
• Work On IADL’s
• Strengthening
• Patient Education
• Functional Balance
• Transfer Training
Fluid and inflammation, whether lymphatic or venous, can be life-threatening. It’s critical to speak to your doctor if you are experiencing any fluid retention in your body.
IF YOU ARE IN NEED OF LYMPHATIC THERAPY, CONTACT JAMES FERRARA’S MOBILE OUTPATIENT THERAPY TODAY AT 941-830-3749.
TO FIND OUT MORE, PLEASE VISIT JAMESFERRARALYMPHEDEMA.COM.
Source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5665410/
