Effective treatment for most lymphedema patients consists of manual drainage, compression bandages, skin care,and education. This care should be provided by a trained lymphedema therapist, or in a lymphedema treatment center.
The Lymphology Association of North America (LANA), a non profit organization of medical professionals experienced in this field, has established criteria for therapist certification. LANA recognizes a certified lymphedema therapist as someone with a valid license in a related health profession, such as a physician, nurse, physical or occupational therapist or certified aide in PT/OT, who has completed a 135 hour training program in Complete Decongestive Therapy (DOC). This method,developed in Europe, has been very successful in treating lymphedema. While some lymphedema therapist operate independently, many are employed at lymphedema treatment centers.
Lymphedema treatment centers can be free standing, but many are part of hospital departments of physical medicine and rehabilitation. The National Lymphedema Network , a non profit organization dedicated to the education and support of lymphedema patients, has a web site that lists a number of centers, all of which use the DOC method. Treatment centers may offer more services- such as physician oversight, PT/OT, support groups, garment fitting and podiatry services. Some, such as the lymphedema treatment center in Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital in Boston MA, can offer surgical treatment to carefully selected patients who may benefit from it.
Forbidden Foods Diabetic Cooking or Lymphedema Management
Comprehensive and practical for daily use, this book even includes administrative tips on billing, marketing, sample forms, and guidelines for setting up a lymphedema treatment center.
Tips On Inpatient Lymphedema Treatment Centers
After just having spent a couple weeks in an inpatient lymphedema treatment center, I had a few thoughts I wanted to share about what to look for and expect from such a facility.
Weight Training Does Not Cause Lymphedema
More research is needed to know whether exercise prevents lymphedema, but there are physiologic reasons to think that it might.” Joseph Feldman of the Lymphedema Treatment Center in Illinois said that because the study tracked women for only six months, he would advise his patients to avoid lifting weights heavier than five pounds until a study spanning several years is conducted, the Times reports.
