Lymphedema Therapy
Whether you are experiencing swelling related to lymphedema, chronic edema, venous disease, lipedema, surgery, injury, or cancer treatment, our goal is to help you:
- Reduce swelling and discomfort
- Improve mobility and function
- Prevent complications
- Enhance quality of life
- Gain confidence in long-term self-management
Our team is committed to providing compassionate, specialized care to help you achieve the best possible outcomes and return to the activities that matter most to you. Treatment plans are customized based on each patient’s diagnosis, symptoms, and goals. Following a comprehensive evaluation, your therapist will develop an individualized treatment program and work closely with your physician and healthcare team.
Most patients attend therapy multiple times per week during the initial treatment phase, followed by a maintenance program focused on long-term management and independence.
Understanding Swelling and Related Conditions
Swelling, also known as edema, occurs when excess fluid builds up in the body’s tissues. While occasional swelling can result from injury, prolonged sitting, or other temporary conditions, persistent swelling may be a sign of an underlying medical condition that requires specialized evaluation and treatment.
Our therapists provide comprehensive treatment for a variety of conditions that cause swelling, including:
- Lymphedema
- Chronic Edema
- Venous Insufficiency and Venous Disease
- Lipedema
- Post-surgical and Post-traumatic Swelling
- Cancer-Related Swelling
Treatment Therapies
Comprehensive Swelling Management Program
Our therapists provide individualized treatment plans using evidence-based techniques to reduce swelling, improve function, and promote long-term self-management.
Complete Decongestive Therapy (CDT)
CDT is considered the gold-standard treatment for lymphedema and is often beneficial for patients with chronic edema, venous insufficiency, and lipedema-related swelling. CDT treatments include:
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Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD)
A gentle, specialized hands-on technique that stimulates the lymphatic system and promotes the movement of fluid away from congested areas. MLD can help reduce swelling, improve comfort, and enhance mobility.
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Compression Therapy
Low-stretch bandaging and compression garments help prevent fluid from reaccumulating while promoting healthy circulation and lymphatic flow. Our therapists provide education, fitting, and training for patients and caregivers to safely manage compression at home.
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Therapeutic Exercise
Customized exercise programs are designed to improve circulation, stimulate lymphatic drainage, increase strength and flexibility, and enhance overall function.
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Skin Care & Education
Healthy skin is essential for preventing complications. Patients receive education on proper skin care, infection prevention, self-management strategies, and lifestyle modifications that support long-term success.
FAQs
What Is Lymphedema?
Lymphedema is a chronic condition that develops when the lymphatic system is unable to effectively transport lymph fluid. As a result, protein-rich fluid accumulates in the tissues, causing swelling, discomfort, and changes in the skin.
Lymphedema most commonly affects the arms and legs but can also occur in the breast, chest, abdomen, head and neck, or genital region. It may develop following cancer treatment, surgery, radiation, infection, trauma, or as a result of a hereditary condition affecting the lymphatic system.
What Is Chronic Edema?
Chronic edema is long-term swelling that may occur when fluid accumulates in the body’s tissues. This condition can be caused by a variety of factors, including decreased mobility, obesity, circulatory disorders, venous disease, medication side effects, or lymphatic dysfunction.
Without proper treatment, chronic swelling can lead to discomfort, decreased mobility, skin changes, and an increased risk of infection.
What Is Venous Disease?
Venous disease, also known as chronic venous insufficiency, occurs when the veins have difficulty returning blood from the legs back to the heart. This can cause:
- Leg swelling
- Heaviness or aching in the legs
- Varicose veins
- Skin discoloration
- Skin breakdown or venous ulcers
Venous disease and lymphatic dysfunction often occur together, making specialized treatment important to help control swelling and improve circulation.
What Is Lipedema?
Lipedema is a chronic condition that causes an abnormal buildup of fatty tissue, most commonly in the hips, thighs, buttocks, and legs. It primarily affects women and is often mistaken for obesity or lymphedema.
Common symptoms include:
- Symmetrical enlargement of the legs and/or arms
- Pain or tenderness in affected areas
- Easy bruising
- A feeling of heaviness in the limbs
- Swelling that may worsen throughout the day
While there is no cure for lipedema, specialized therapy can help manage symptoms, improve mobility, and support overall quality of life.
Related Links
To learn more about lymphatic disease, visit the Lymphatic Education & Research Network