The Mayo Clinic (2022) defines scleroderma as a disease that involves the hardening and tightening of the skin. It may also affect blood vessels, internal organs and the digestive tract. If only the skin is affected, it is called morphea. There is no known cure for scleroderma; however, treatments can ease symptoms and slow progression. Onset usually affects the hands, feet and face, but the arms, chest, abdomen and legs… Read More »Scleroderma
What is Buccal Massage? “Buccal” refers to your cheeks. Our Buccal Face Massage involves treatment of the chest, neck, face, and scalp, ending with an intra-oral component. Using hands and massage lotion, we aim to decrease tension in your jaw and mimic muscles, ending with a hot towel for increased blood flow. Buccal Face Massage is a deeper massage that engages not just muscle but fascia as well. Though it… Read More »Buccal Facial Massage
Fibrosis, or hardening of the tissues is a common complication in healing from surgery as well as long standing lymphedema. There are several products on the market to lessen or manage fibrosis. Each has its own benefits. For example, swell spots by L&R can be washed and dried in a washing machine at home and reused many times. Such options come in pre-made forms designed to help treat fibrosis on… Read More »Quick and Easy DIY Swell Spot for Fibrosis Removal
Water displacement is an inexpensive and accurate way to measure arm volume in lymphedema. You can easily do it at home with a large clear container. How to measure: Make a horizontal line with a black marker on the outside of the container, approximately 10-15 cm from the top. Fill the container with water until it is level with this line. Find a landmark on your upper arm.… Read More »Water Displacement for Measuring Arm Volume
A faja is a post liposuction/surgical compression wear that aims to contain swelling thereby promoting lymphatic repair. If you have recently had liposuction, chances are your doctor has provided you with an appropriate compression garment for directly after your surgery. A stage 1 faja is meant to be worn throughout the acute stage of healing (approximately the first two weeks post surgery). These should be worn all the time; only… Read More »Fajas
Breast surgery, like all surgeries, is no small undertaking. Recovery may begin in the days leading up to the surgery with proper preparation including reducing muscle tension and improving lymphatic flow in the area as well as proper preparatory home care. There have been significant developments made in breast surgeries over the past two decades, massage therapists continue to be challenged to develop body treatments for both before and after… Read More »Breast Surgery and Lymphatic Massage Therapy
Night garments are a great way to complement day garments when your edema needs a little more help. Night garments can help reduce the chance of rebound edema (edema created at night after a day of too many edema-inducing factors such as high heat or intense activity). Some night garments have foam chips that help break up fibrosis so that your day garment can have an easier time containing the… Read More »Traditional Night Garments and Velcro Systems for Legs
Compression garment sleeves shows up in two different forms in lymphedema treatment. It plays an important role in the reduction phase. This is when we try to get your arm as close to its normal size as possible. This traditionally was done with foams and bandages. More recently, velcro wraps have come into being to help. These are more expensive; however they give more autonomy by allowing the person wearing… Read More »A Comparison of Compression Garment Sleeves
Planning a trip is exciting to think about. However, air travel may affect your lymphedema or trigger the onset. Not everyone is affected by air travel and there is research* to show this. In clinical practice we have seen enough patients who are affected so it’s worth noting and taking simple precautions. When we fly our tissues are affected by the cabin pressure. Our tissue pressure is normally a negative… Read More »How to Plan for Air Travel with Lymphedema
For many who are experiencing fibrosis caused either by long-term edema or post-surgery, we have a simple solution. Specifically, foam padding may be a useful tool in dealing with fibrosis resulting from lymphedema swelling, as well as post-surgery, especially with procedures like liposuction. How fibrosis is formed To understand how foam padding is effective in treating fibrosis, one can look at its genesis. Lymphedema fibrosis develops as a result of… Read More »Foam Padding For Fibrosis and Post Surgery