Lymphedema Treatment Program
355 Post Avenue, Suite 100 Westbury, NY 11590
(516) 333-3253
Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Lymphedema Treatment, Chiropractic and much more...
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The Lymphedema treatment which our office provides involves decongestive manual lymphatic drainage followed by multilayered short stretch compression strapping of either the upper or lower extremities that is worn 24/7. The patient remains in the bandages until the next treatment session. Total patient’s treatment time is in the vicinity of 90 to 120 minutes per day, treatment is optimal at five days per week. The patient will remain in compression bandages while active care of manual lymphatic drainage is being performed, once the extremity stabilizes and no further progression is anticipated then the patient is fitted for a compression garment, such as a sleeve/glove, stocking, thigh or knee high.
When seeking treatment please make sure the individual you have chosen is a certified lymphedema therapist. They should have received credentials from one of the schools or associations recognized by the National Lymphedema Network. For more information on treatment or a free brochure please contact our office
Click the Brochure for more information.....
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When seeking treatment please make sure the individual you have chosen is a certified lymphedema therapist. They should have received credentials from one of the schools or associations recognized by the National Lymphedema Network. For more information on treatment or a free brochure please contact our office
Click the Brochure for more information.....
.
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Complex lymphedema therapy (CLT) or Complex decongestion physiotherapy (CDP), is a noninvasive treatment used as a rehabilitative intervention for upper and lower extremity lymphedema.
Treatment is provided in our office and consists of the following:
Meticulous skin and nail care
– Cleansing, lubrication, debriding and administration of antimicrobial therapy.
Manual lymphatic drainage – Lymphedema therapy reduces and controls the amount of swelling in the affected limb, as well as restoring its function. The objective of this method is to redirect and enhance the flow of lymph through unharmed cutaneous lymphatics. Initial gentle massage technique or the (Vodder Method) is intended to redirect lymph and edema fluid towards adjacent functioning lymph nodes.
Compression therapy with bandaging and compression garments
– For the prevention of any reaccumulation of excavated edema fluid and the ultrafiltration of additional fluid into the interstitial space.
Lymphedema exercises
Patient instruction for continuous ongoing self management:
Treatment is provided in our office and consists of the following:
Meticulous skin and nail care
– Cleansing, lubrication, debriding and administration of antimicrobial therapy.
Manual lymphatic drainage – Lymphedema therapy reduces and controls the amount of swelling in the affected limb, as well as restoring its function. The objective of this method is to redirect and enhance the flow of lymph through unharmed cutaneous lymphatics. Initial gentle massage technique or the (Vodder Method) is intended to redirect lymph and edema fluid towards adjacent functioning lymph nodes.
Compression therapy with bandaging and compression garments
– For the prevention of any reaccumulation of excavated edema fluid and the ultrafiltration of additional fluid into the interstitial space.
Lymphedema exercises
- In order to enhance lymphatic flow from peripheral to central drainage components, exercises are aimed at augmenting muscular contraction, enhancing joint mobility, strengthening the limb and reducing the muscle atrophy that frequently occurs secondary to lymphedema.
Patient instruction for continuous ongoing self management:
- The patient maintains and optimizes the results by applying the techniques learned as well as by wearing a garment/sleeve during the day or bandaging the affected limb overnight and exercising for 15minutes per day while wearing the bandages. This is continued until swelling resolves.
Complex Lymphedema Therapy
Lymphedema Treatment Protocol
The Client is to start a Phase I decongestive Vodder-type manual lymphatic drainage program of 4-5 sessions per week for 4 weeks.” Compression therapy consisting of multilayered, inelastic bandaging of the limb, including each toe and finger, is performed immediately following the decongestive lymphatic drainage. Bandaging is performed distal to proximal. Between bandage layers are interspersed with foam rubber pads to evenly distribute the force of the bandage and to apply increased pressure to the particularly fibrotic areas.” Bandages are to be worn 24/7 until the treatment is complete and proper compression garments are prescribed.
Therapeutic Decongestive Exercises with compression bandages are performed to evacuate from the peripheral to centralized drainage channels.
The bandaged patient is assisted through exercises that included AROM
with the muscle and joints functioning within the closed space of the
bandaging.
The Client is to schedule for a baseline L-DEX, used to assess unilateral lymphedema of the arm. This tool measures the amount of fluid surrounding the cells which make up the muscle and tissues of the arm.
The Client will be scheduled for a baseline CROM and MT.
The Computerized Muscle Testing and Range of Motion establishes the baseline data for accessing expected rehabilitation potential, setting realistic goals, and measuring progress. The CMT/ROM will be completed initially to set a baseline of information, and approximately midway and at the end/discharge, to follow the function and progress with changes throughout the period of the patient’s treatment.
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR SELF MANAGEMENT:
The Client is educated and instructed immediately on the signs and symptoms of infection with instructions to seek immediate medical attention if they should appear. Concomitant skin and nail care instructions have been given to the patient in the form of a handout (The NLN has distributed a Eighteen Steps to Prevention information sheet, covering topics such as; Keep the arm or leg on the side of the cancer treatment clean. Keep your skin and cuticles soft and moist by regular use of a lotion or cream. Do not cut or clip cuticles. Use an electric shaver for removing underarm and leg hair instead of a blade razor or hair removal cream. Use an insect repellent and sunscreen to avoid bug bites and sunburn. Avoid extreme heat or cold. Use standard first aid measures to treat any cuts, scrapes, burns, insect bites, hangnails, or torn cuticles. Avoid blood drawing or blood pressure being taken on the affected arm. The wearing of compression garments while flying).
Therapeutic Decongestive Exercises with compression bandages are performed to evacuate from the peripheral to centralized drainage channels.
The bandaged patient is assisted through exercises that included AROM
with the muscle and joints functioning within the closed space of the
bandaging.
The Client is to schedule for a baseline L-DEX, used to assess unilateral lymphedema of the arm. This tool measures the amount of fluid surrounding the cells which make up the muscle and tissues of the arm.
The Client will be scheduled for a baseline CROM and MT.
The Computerized Muscle Testing and Range of Motion establishes the baseline data for accessing expected rehabilitation potential, setting realistic goals, and measuring progress. The CMT/ROM will be completed initially to set a baseline of information, and approximately midway and at the end/discharge, to follow the function and progress with changes throughout the period of the patient’s treatment.
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR SELF MANAGEMENT:
The Client is educated and instructed immediately on the signs and symptoms of infection with instructions to seek immediate medical attention if they should appear. Concomitant skin and nail care instructions have been given to the patient in the form of a handout (The NLN has distributed a Eighteen Steps to Prevention information sheet, covering topics such as; Keep the arm or leg on the side of the cancer treatment clean. Keep your skin and cuticles soft and moist by regular use of a lotion or cream. Do not cut or clip cuticles. Use an electric shaver for removing underarm and leg hair instead of a blade razor or hair removal cream. Use an insect repellent and sunscreen to avoid bug bites and sunburn. Avoid extreme heat or cold. Use standard first aid measures to treat any cuts, scrapes, burns, insect bites, hangnails, or torn cuticles. Avoid blood drawing or blood pressure being taken on the affected arm. The wearing of compression garments while flying).