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| What is Lymphedema? | Lymphedema is an accumulation of lymphatic fluid in the interstitial tissue that causes swelling, most often in the arm(s) and/or leg(s), and occasionally in other parts of the body. Lymphedema can develop when lymphatic vessels are missing or impaired (primary), or when lymph vessels are damaged or lymph nodes removed (secondary). When the impairment becomes so great that the lymphatic fluid exceeds the lymphatic transport capacity of the vessels, an abnormal amount of protein-rich fluid collects in the tissues of the affected area. Left untreated, this stagnant, protein-rich fluid not only causes tissue channels to increase in size, but also reduces oxygen availability in the transport system, interferes with wound healing, and provides a culture medium for bacteria that can result in lymphangitis (infection). |
| What causes Lymphedema? | Primary lymphedema, which can affect from one to as many as four limbs and/or other parts of the body, can be present at birth, develop at the onset of puberty or in adulthood, all from unknown causes, or associated with vascular anomalies such as hemangioma or lymphangioma. Secondary lymphedema, or acquired lymphedema, can develop as a result of surgery, radiation, infection or trauma. Specific surgeries, such as surgery for melanoma or breast, gynecological, head and neck, prostate or testicular, bladder or colon cancer, all of which currently require removal of lymph nodes, put patients at risk of developing secondary lymphedema. |
| Symptoms of Lymphedema | Lymphedema can develop in any part of the body or limb(s). Signs or symptoms of lymphedema to watch out for include: a full sensation in the limb(s), skin feeling tight, decreased flexibility in the hand, wrist or ankle, difficulty fitting into clothing in one specific area, or ring/wristwatch/bracelet tightness. If you notice persistent swelling, it is very important that you seek immediate medical advice (and get at least one second opinion) as early diagnosis and treatment improves both the prognosis and the condition. |
| Only the Best! | Your health is important to us. 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. |
| Facts about Pain | Pain can be either acute resulting from surgery, recent injury or medical illness. This form of pain can usually be managed immediately and may last only a short duration of time. If pain persists after the initial healing period has elapsed it is termed Chronic Pain. Some of the more common pain conditions are for arthritis, neck and lower back pain, nerve pain, headaches, post surgical arthroscopy and joint replacements. |
| Medication | Pain management may include various classes of medication, a wide variety of anti-inflammatory drugs both non steroidal i.e. Celebrex, Motrin and or steroidal drugs such as Prednisone and Cortisol are available. The use of Opiod drugs, which are morphine like, may be considered when appropriate as well as anti depressants, anti seizure, and anti anxiety. These can be used in conjunction with various physical therapy modalities. |
| Other Treatment | Medication alone may not be sufficient to manage your pain and injection treatments of local anesthetics with or without cortisone like medicine can be injected into muscles, joints and or around nerves. These medicines reduce swelling, irritation, muscle spasms and abnormal nerve activity that cause pain. Our office will work in conjunction with anesthesiologists when the need may arise for nerve blocks, which use local anesthetics and or epidural injections, which use steroid medications. In some instances when the patient does not respond surgical treatment may be recommended. |
| Physiatrists | Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation physicians are known as Physiatrists who are specialists trained in restoring function to the patient. Their non-surgical approach works to restore or maximize the functional skills, mobility, strength, and self-sufficiency of patients who have either temporary or permanent disability.These disabilities may range from minor sports injuries to more complex conditions such as the effect of stroke, cancer (lymphedema), degenerative joint disease, carpal tunnel syndrome, spinal disc herniation and various other muscloskeletal conditions. |
| Background | A PM&R physician education consists of four years of medical school followed by an additional four years of hospital-based residency program. The diagnostic tools used by a PM&R physician are similar to those found in other medical specialties: history & examination, x-ray, MRI and electrodiagnostic testing (EMG/NCV), which measures electrical activity of the nerve/muscle. |
| Our Focus | The PM&R physicians at our office serve as Medical Director and team leader, coordinating care with other medical specialists such as Orthopedic, Family and Internal Medicine and Physical Therapists, Nurses, and ancillary care with Chiropractic, Acupuncture and Massage therapists. Our Physiatrists works closely with the team to monitor the patient and progress them to established goals. |
| You Are What You Eat | The biggest
health problem facing Americans today is obesity. More than half of us
are over our ideal weight and more than one-third are obese enough to significantly raise the risk of disease and premature death. Improper diets can also lead to such problems as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and numerous gastrointestinal disease. Yet most of us are more careful about what fertilizer we put on our lawn or what oil we put in our car than we are about what nutrition we put into our body. |
| Choices | Practicing a proper nutrition regimen becomes even more difficult because the best diet for one person, is not necessarily the proper program for another. Professional body builders have different goals than a person eating for health. Persons with extreme weight weight loss requirements obviously have different needs than the average weight person. Choosing a proper plan to follow is confusing. |
| We Can Help | Whether you have a particular health condition that needs to be addressed, or would just like to live a healthier, more energetic lifestyle, we can provide you with specialized nutritional counseling, and a program designed for your specific needs. All progress will be under the supervision of our medical staff. |
| What Does Wellness Mean? | Does it mean…if
I'm not sick right now and have no complaints of pain that I'm healthy? When is the last time you did any type of exercise…high school? How far can you walk? How many flights of stairs can you walk up before getting out of breath? Do you think that without changing your lifestyle you'll feel the same in 10 years?…20 years? What is the main reason people are in nursing homes? |
| Why is Wellness/Preventative Medicine Important? | To understand
how to treat the problems you have, and prevent the ones you don't. It means combining numerous aspects of health, physical fitness, nutrition and medicine together. |
| What is a Chiropractor? | Chiropractic doctors take a natural approach to health, placing special emphasis on the biomechanics of the spine and the neural relationship to the body. Chiropractors are first contact physicians who possess the diagnostic skills to differentiate health conditions that are amenable to their management from those conditions that require referral or co management. |
| Diagnosis | Doctors of Chiropractic are trained to detect the Vertebral Subluxation Complex, which can be the underlying cause of many health problems; they are interested in detecting, reducing and preventing the Vertebral Subluxation Complex. |
| Treatment | Chiropractors provide conservative management of musculoskeletal disorders and related functional conditions including, but not limited to back pain, neck pain and headaches. Chiropractors are expert providers of spinal and other therapeutic manipulation/adjustments. They also utilize a variety of manual, mechanical and electrical therapeutic modalities in conjunction with therapeutic exercise programs for spinal stabilization. |
| Prevention | Chiropractors also provide patient evaluation and instructions regarding disease prevention and health promotion through proper nutrition, exercise, and lifestyle modification. |
| Why an electrodiagnostic study? | Certain findings in a physical examination may warrant further study of the nerves in a thorough electrodiagnostic study, which will identify particular problem nerve areas. It can also uncover other conditions which mimic nerve problems. |
| What does it consist of? | Most studies include two separate tests, the NCS (Nerve Conduction Study) and EMG (Electromyogram), which when conducted together will provide the doctors with invaluable data about your nerves' ability to carry impulses and the muscles that connect to them. |
| What can the test reveal? | EMG and NCS can be used to evaluate any suspected nerve condition, including pinched nerves, disc herniations, carpal tunnel syndrome and diabetic neuropathy. |
| Are there any risks? | Unlike other more invasive test, electrodiagnosis is extremely safe. There are no short or long-term effects from the small amounts of electrical stimulation you receive during the nerve study. While there may be discomfort for a second or two after the electrical stimulus, there is no residual pain or other effect. |
| What is physical therapy? |
The American Physical Therapy Association describes physical therapy as a form of health care that prevents, identifies, corrects, and alleviates acute or prolonged movement dysfunction of anatomic or physiologic origin. The primary objective of physical therapy is to promote optimum human health and function. |
| Collaboration |
Working always in conjunction with physicians, they are valuable members of the health care team, trained to improve movement and function, relieve pain and expand mobility potential. Through evaluation and programs of treatment, Physical Therapists can help existing problems and provide preventive health care for people and children with a variety of needs. |
| Physical
therapy today |
The role of physical therapy in present-day health care has become significant in the concept of total patient management. Because of advancements made, and improved research in treatments and techniques using scientific methodology, an ever-increasing variety of conditions are being seen for consultation by a physical therapist. Physical therapists can apply their skills in most disciplines in medicine including neurology, neurosurgery, orthopedics, general surgery, family practice, pediatrics, geriatrics, rheumatology, internal medicine, cardiovascular medicine, cardiopulmonary medicine, psychiatry, and sports medicine. |
