Lymphedema Rehabilitation

Patient Care – What to Expect

We use a team approach and the latest therapies to help our patients manage lymphedema. Here’s why patients choose us:

• Support at every step. Our therapists take the time to clearly explain what’s happening in your body and what you can do about it. If there’s a resource or a piece of equipment that might help, we want you to know about it. If you have a difficult question, we’ll hunt down an answer. Our goal is to help you live your best life.
• Lifelong care. Whether you have just a few therapy sessions or see us for many months, you’ll establish a lifelong relationship with us. We're here for you, and we're always happy to answer any questions via phone or email. Patients say they feel comfortable reaching out to us, even years after their therapy ends.
• Nationally accredited. Our rehabilitation facility is CARF accredited, which means we meet and exceed the national and international standards for excellent care. CARF certifies that we provide the highest level of care and use the latest therapies to help our patients. Our care focuses on the goals of patients and their families for long-term success.

What We Treat

Lymphedema is a condition where fluid builds up, typically in your arms or legs. This happens because some of your lymph nodes, which filter fluid through your body, aren’t working well. Lymphedema can make your limbs feel heavy, itchy and stiff. Your skin may feel hard and get irritated or infected. Lymphedema is usually caused by:

• Cancer
• Surgery or radiation treatment for cancer
• Kidney or heart problems
• A trauma injury, like a car accident
• An infection
• A genetic condition

Lymphedema Treatments

We build a custom treatment plan for each patient, tailored to your needs and your body. Our goal is to make you more comfortable, reduce your symptoms and keep them from getting worse. Many people feel better and more mobile after just a few sessions.

Our lymphedema treatments include:

• Compression bandages, special bandages wrapped around swollen limbs. We’ll teach you how to change the pressure based on what feels good or how much swelling you have.
• Compression sleeves or stockings fitted for your body. This can reduce swelling and provide extra comfort and support.
• Manual lymph massage, a specialized technique proven to reduce lymphedema symptoms. This gentle technique helps build a “detour route” to move fluid to an area of your body where your lymph nodes work better.
• A compression pump. We recommend that some patients use a compression pump at home, in addition to their treatment in our clinic. This machine helps fluid move through the body by applying pressure to different parts of the body at different times.

Lymphedema Home Care

We’ll also teach you and your caregivers what to do at home to feel better. This may include:

• Taking good care of your skin. Good skincare helps avoid infections. We’ll recommend ways to keep your skin clean, well-moisturized, and free of cuts. And we’ll teach you the signs of potential skin problems, like cracks, tears or fungus.
• Changing your diet. This may include eating less salt or a more heart-healthy diet.
• Using compression techniques or manual massage. Our care team teaches patients how to use these techniques at home.
• Exercising. Physical activity can help reduce your lymphedema symptoms. We’ll help you know what’s safe, and recommend activities and classes.
• Knowing when to check in with us or your doctor. We’ll teach you to recognize the signs of infection or if your condition is getting worse.

Your Care Team

Our therapists have over 100 hours of specialized lymphedema training and keep their knowledge up to date with the latest skills and techniques. They also help you understand what your insurance covers and where you might be able to find financial help with treatment. Our lymphedema rehab team includes:

• Occupational therapists who help you build the skills and strength to get back to daily life and activities.
• Physical therapists who specialize in helping you improve your mobility, get stronger and decrease your pain.
• Physical medicine and rehabilitation doctors who help diagnose your condition and develop your treatment plan.