Click the video below for a short message from our Founder, Tracey Podolsky, MPT, CLT-LANA.
LYMPHEDEMA TREATMENT
The Treatment of Lymphedema involves highly Specialized Physical Therapy. Our Physical Therapists are LANA certified--the highest credentialing connoting thousands of hours in Treatment & Management of all forms of Lymphedema. Patients who present with Edema (swelling) from diagnoses including: Surgery, Oncology, Lymphatic & Vascular, and Orthopedic Conditions, benefit greatly from our treatments. Our therapists deliver the purest form of today’s international gold standard, Complete Decongestive Therapy (CDT), to facilitate lymphatic drainage and speed the healing process. This is often done in parallel to Manual Physical Therapy to address any biomechanical dysfunction.
ABOUT "CDT" COMPLETE DECONGESTIVE THERAPY
Manual Lymph Drainage - improves the movement of lymph in the affected limb or body area. MLD is very a very light and superficial lymphatic massage or stretching of the skin in order to improve the function of the local lymphatic vessels.
Compression Bandaging - multilayered compression bandaging is applied with use of short stretch bandages (opposite properties of Ace bandages), foams, and padding. Compression bandages are worn during the entire length of the patient’s Intensive Phase of CDT and are only removed immediately prior to the treatment session for showering.
Skin & Nail Care - Due to the risk of infection (cellulitis) for all patients who have lymphedema or are at risk for lympehdema, it is very important to practice meticulous skin and nail care. This includes using a low pH lotion daily, avoiding trauma to the skin whenever possible, and keeping the skin and nails clean.
Exercises - An individualized home exercise program will be constructed for each patient. Exercises while in the bandage as well as during the Self Management Phase of CDT can improve skin integrity, increase strength and flexibility, and most importantly improve lymphedema management.
Self Care Management Education - Every lymphedema patient must learn how to manage their lymphedema independently, or without the assist of a skilled therapist once they have been discharged from the Intensive Phase of CDT. Several factors play an important role in formulating the best self care regime for each patient. Some factors include severity of swelling, current functional status, patient’s level of commitment, lifestyle, work demands, assistance at home, and financial restrictions. Only the most skilled and experiences lymphedema therapists are equipped to handle the many factors that are involved in formulating a patient’s self care regime.
WHAT MAKES WYATT'S PROGRAM UNIQUE?
★ Continuity of Care - Uninterrupted Phase I of CDT: Intensive Phase. Therapy sessions are not abbreviated due to part-time therapist availability, level of specialization, or administrative/hospital policy.
★ Full-Service provision of supplies and materials used during treatment and in the self-care management phase of CDT.
★ Access to the most current lymphedema products and techniques available in the realm of lymphedema care - Wyatt Rehab therapists are at the forefront of the latest research and products from the most reputable manufacturers to provide optimal recommendations for each patient’s plan of care.
★ Personalized compression garment fitting services - we have access to every garment currently made and are experts in the art of garment measuring, ordering, fitting, and troubleshooting. All compression garments are measured by the patient’s primary lymphedema therapist.
★ Friendly atmosphere - Wyatt Rehab takes great pride in offering a friendly, comfortable atmosphere while maintaining a clean and organized environment.
AFTERCARE PROGRAM:
When a patient has met all goals and has transitioned to Phase 2 of CDT, Self-Care Management, Wyatt Rehab recommends ongoing follow ups in two pathways:
Functional Medicine Lens: Looking at each patient’s history in terms of nutrition, activity-level, stress management tools, and toxic load allow Tracey to design a wellness program that continues to build health and reduce inflammation, balance hormones, and create homeostasis within the body. These services are offered through our cash based Wellness Services.
Ongoing Conventional Approach: Follow Up appointments depending on individual assessment to include self care re-assessment and compression garment replacement. Typically, patients follow up every 6 months - 1 year once the self care regimen has been shown to be successful.
Maintenance Lymphedema Therapy: Some patients despite their best efforts required skilled lymphedema treatment on an intermittent basis. This would include the following:
Manual Lymph Drainage: Tracey provides MLD with use of essential oils to continue to facilitate lymph drainage, decrease stress, and improve immune system function. **
Multilayered Compression Bandaging: When needed, intermittent bandaging of the involved limb when self-care tools are not enough.
****Some patients benefit from these modalities on an intermittent basis, whether it be once a week or even once a month. To maximize and maintain the results achieved in treatment. Most insurance companies do not cover treatment modalities that are considered maintenance and therefore, this could be an out of pocket expense. Health Savings Accounts, and CareCredit payments plans can be used for Aftercare.
WYATT GETS YOU MOVING AGAIN... We are a world leader in Functional Lymphedema Treatment & Management
