Horizon’s Lymphedema Specialists
Horizon’s Lymphedema Therapy Management and Restorative Intervention Therapies are designed to help patients reduce swelling and edema, restore motion and work to improve both your independence and function. In addition, we work to help find long term solutions and strategies to deal with this chronic issue.
“Early diagnosis and treatment of Lymphedema improves both the prognosis and the condition.”
Signs and Symptoms of Lymphedema
Lymphedema causes swelling throughout your body such as your arms or legs, fingers, and toes. The tissues of the head and neck may be also be affected by retaining fluid and swelling. Lymphedema is an ongoing condition that will require ongoing care. In most cases, the patient deals with some level of swelling on a regular basis, but it can be managed with proper care and physical therapy.
The swelling can limit your range of motion. You may experience heaviness or a dull ache in the affected area. Lymphedema can also lead to:
skin changes
skin discoloration
blisters
leaking of fluid from the skin
infection
In the head and neck, lymphedema can affect vision and cause ear pain and nasal congestion. It can also cause problems with:
breathing
swallowing
talking
drooling
Treatment & Management of Lymphedema
Our specialists begin with a thorough assessment, including chief complaints, medical history, medications, range of motion, strength, skin integrity, limb girth measurements and functional limitations. Based on this assessment and your doctor's recommendations, our Horizon’s Certified Lymphedema Therapists (CLT) will perform a specialized treatment plan while educating patients on how to manage their condition:
Gentle Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) performed with a very light touch to avoid injury to delicate lymphatic vessels. This encourages the reabsorption and flow of the fluid back toward the heart by re–routing the lymph flow around blocked areas into healthy lymph vessels
Skin Care Instruction; risk factors and prevention strategies
Compression Bandaging & Properly Fit Compression Garments
Therapeutic Exercises that mimic the motions and sequence of the manual lymph drainage by activating the muscle and joint pumps to move the fluid out of the limb.