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traditional custom arm sleeve

A Comparison of Compression Garment Sleeves

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

open suitcase with clothes inside and passport beside it

How to Plan for Air Travel with Lymphedema

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

foam padding on leg from lymphedema swelling

Foam Padding For Fibrosis and Post Surgery

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

Essential oils

Aromatherapy for Lymphedema

At Flow, we continue to learn and explore new ideas to ensure that our clients receive the best and the most up-to-date lymphatic care. Recently, Juzo Academy hosted a course on lymphedema and essential oils taught by Linda Anne Kahn, a Certified Lymphedema Therapist with the Lymphology Association of North America (LANA). She has been a lymphedema therapist and certified aromatherapist for 30 years. We were introduced to many novel… Read More »Aromatherapy for Lymphedema

fruit spread ketogenic

How a Ketogenic Way of Eating Can Help With Lymphedema and Support Brain Health

At first glance, you may not think that lymphedema or lipedema have anything in common with Alzheimer’s. But in fact, there are a few commonalities, namely the lymphatic-glymphatic system (which is the brain’s system of waste removal), inflammation and nutritional approach. Here we’ll touch on inflammation, as it relates to nutrition and lifestyle, but will focus on a nutritional approach that will provide marked benefits for all of these conditions:… Read More »How a Ketogenic Way of Eating Can Help With Lymphedema and Support Brain Health

woman lying on chair for radiation therapy

How Lymph Drainage Can Help Cancer Patients During Radiation Therapy

A common form of cancer treatment is radiation therapy which kills cancer cells with external beams of intense energy. The beams come from a machine and aims at a precise point on your body. Radiation therapy destroys the genetic material in the cancer cells preventing them from growing and multiplying. Normal cells may be affected as well. Radiation therapy may be used : as the only treatment for cancer (primary)… Read More »How Lymph Drainage Can Help Cancer Patients During Radiation Therapy

wood instruments for massage

Colombian Wooding Therapy

Colombian wooding therapy or wooding is a vigorous yet relaxing massage using oil, hands and multiple wooden tools. It is purportedly over a century old originating in South America, where it is known as maderoterapia; madera is Spanish for wood. The massage is generally not painful and rocks and shakes the body in a rhythmic manner while engaging the superficial and deep tissue layers. Wooding has many benefits such as… Read More »Colombian Wooding Therapy

woman receiving liposuction treatment illustration

Why You Need a Lymphatic Massage After Liposuction

Liposuction is a common yet intense surgery for the body to recover from. Many times, it is often performed in conjunction with a fat transfer to the glutes, hips, breasts or abdominoplasty or “tummy tuck”, making the recovery more complex.  Manual Lymphatic Drainage may assist in the recovery process after a surgery with the following benefits: Treating fibrosis  Liposuction not only removes fat but also the microscopic lymphatic vessels in… Read More »Why You Need a Lymphatic Massage After Liposuction

illustration of patient in surgery

How Manual Lymph Drainage Can Assist You Before and After Surgery

Manual Lymph Drainage (MLD) is an effective treatment before and after your surgery. Although your body has the ability and knowledge to heal itself, MLD can help decrease recovery time and promote healthy tissue prior to and after surgery.  MLD is not painful but can be combined with deeper techniques that may encourage softening of the tissues. Therapists will always work within a comfort level when applying these deeper techniques.… Read More »How Manual Lymph Drainage Can Assist You Before and After Surgery

kinesiology tape on upper back for lymphatic drainage

How Kinesiology Tape Encourages Lymphatic Drainage

A growing technique in treating swelling symptoms of lymphedema is the use of kinesiology tape on patients. Kinesiology tape is a fabric tape with elastic embedded within, allowing it to be stretched when applied to the skin. It is used to treat various conditions and injuries. In addition, it can be used in pain management. Once applied, it allows full mobility whereas other rigid tapes do not. Kinesiotaping works by… Read More »How Kinesiology Tape Encourages Lymphatic Drainage