Swelling isn't all the same, and lymphatic care should not begin with the assumption that every swollen area simply needs to be "drained."
At Mecca Massage, lymphatic and post-surgical care begins with understanding your health history, what may be contributing to the swelling and whether lymphatic treatment is appropriate,
Care may include Manual Lymphatic Drainage, Complete Decongestive Therapy, compression, movement and self-management strategies depending on your individual needs.
At Mecca Massage, lymphatic and post-surgical care begins with understanding your health history, what may be contributing to the swelling and whether lymphatic treatment is appropriate,
Care may include Manual Lymphatic Drainage, Complete Decongestive Therapy, compression, movement and self-management strategies depending on your individual needs.
Who Is This Care For?
Who May Benefit From Lymphatic Care?
LYMPHEDEMA
Care for diagnosed or suspected lymphatic swelling, including primary and secondary lymphedema. |
AFTER SURGERY
Assessment and management of swelling following surgery when treatment is appropriate for the stage of healing and medical circumstances. |
CANCER-RELATED LYMPHATIC CHANGES
Specialized care for people whose lymphatic system has been affected by lymph-node removal, radiation or other aspects of cancer treatment. |
PERSISTENT SWELLING
Assessment-informed care when swelling or edema persists and the underlying reason or most appropriate approach needs to be considered. |
New, unexplained or rapidly changing swelling may require medical assessment before treatment.
Not All Swelling Is Lymphatic
Swelling can occur for many reasons. Changes in lymphatic transport are one possibility, but venous conditions, inflammation, injury, surgery, medications and systemic medical conditions can also contribute to edema.
Before deciding how to approach treatment, we consider the patterns of swelling, relevant medical and surgical history, tissue presentation, symptoms and other factors that may help determine whether lymphatic care is appropriate or whether further medical assessment is needed.
What Is Manual Lymphatic Drainage?
Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) is a specialized form of gentle manual therapy designed to support movement of lymphatic fluid through lymphatic pathways.
MLD differs from conventional massage. The techniques are generally light and rhythmic because lymphatic structures involved in fluid uptake lie relatively close to the surface.
When lymphatic pathways have been altered, for example, following lymph-node removal, treatment planning may also involve considering functioning drainage territories and appropriate alternative pathways.
MLD differs from conventional massage. The techniques are generally light and rhythmic because lymphatic structures involved in fluid uptake lie relatively close to the surface.
When lymphatic pathways have been altered, for example, following lymph-node removal, treatment planning may also involve considering functioning drainage territories and appropriate alternative pathways.
What Is Complete Decongestive Therapy?
Complete Decongestive Therapy is a comprehensive approach used in the management of lymphedema and may include several components rather than Manual Lymphatic Drainage alone.
Depending on the individual, care may involve Manual Lymphatic Drainage, compression, movement or exercise, skin care and education for long-term self-management.
The appropriate combination of strategies depends on the type and presentation of swelling, medical history and individual goals.
Depending on the individual, care may involve Manual Lymphatic Drainage, compression, movement or exercise, skin care and education for long-term self-management.
The appropriate combination of strategies depends on the type and presentation of swelling, medical history and individual goals.
LYMPHATIC CARE AFTER SURGERY
Swelling is a normal part of healing after many surgeries, but the amount, location and duration of swelling can vary considerably.
When appropriate for your stage of healing and medical circumstances, lymphatic care may be used as part of the managing post-surgical swelling. Treatment is adapted to the procedure performed, areas affected, tissue healing and any instructions or precautions provided by your surgical or medical team.
If swelling is unexpected, worsening or accompanied by concerning symptoms, medical assessment may be needed before lymphatic treatment begins.
When appropriate for your stage of healing and medical circumstances, lymphatic care may be used as part of the managing post-surgical swelling. Treatment is adapted to the procedure performed, areas affected, tissue healing and any instructions or precautions provided by your surgical or medical team.
If swelling is unexpected, worsening or accompanied by concerning symptoms, medical assessment may be needed before lymphatic treatment begins.
LYMPHATIC CARE AFTER LYMPH-NODE REMOVAL OR CANCER TREATMENT
Surgery, lymph-node removal and radiation can alter the way lymphatic fluid moves through the affected area and may increase the risk of developing lymphedema.
Lymphatic care begins by understanding which areas and lymphatic structures have been affected by treatment. When appropriate, care may include Manual Lymphatic Drainage, compression, movement, skin care and self-management education.
Treatment planning is individualized and may require coordination with your medical team when symptoms are new, changing or medically complex.
Lymphatic care begins by understanding which areas and lymphatic structures have been affected by treatment. When appropriate, care may include Manual Lymphatic Drainage, compression, movement, skin care and self-management education.
Treatment planning is individualized and may require coordination with your medical team when symptoms are new, changing or medically complex.
COMPRESSION & LYMPHEDEMA MANAGEMENT
For some forms of persistent edema and lymphedema, compression can be an important part of ongoing management.
Depending on your needs, this may include discussion of appropriate compression strategies, movement while wearing compression, skin-care and practical approaches to self-management.
Compression isn't one size fits all. The type, level and fit should be appropriate for the condition being managed and the individual wearing it.
Depending on your needs, this may include discussion of appropriate compression strategies, movement while wearing compression, skin-care and practical approaches to self-management.
Compression isn't one size fits all. The type, level and fit should be appropriate for the condition being managed and the individual wearing it.
What Happens At Your First Appointment?
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We start with your history.
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We'll discuss your swelling or lymphatic concern, relevant medical history, surgeries or cancer treatment, current symptoms and what has changed.
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We look at the swelling.
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When appropriate, your therapist may assess the location and distribution of swelling, tissue characteristics and other relevant findings.
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We determine the approach.
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The goal is not simply to perform MLD. We first consider whether lymphatic treatment is appropriate and which strategies may be useful.
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We build a plan.
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Depending on your needs, this may involve MLD, compression, movement, education, self-management strategies, referral or a combination of approaches.
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When We May NOT Treat
When Medical Assessment May Be Needed First
Manual Lymphatic Drainage and compression are not appropriate for every person or every type of swelling.
New or unexplained swelling, rapidly increasing swelling, suspected infection, possible blood clot, significant new shortness of breath or other concerning symptoms may require medical assessment before lymphatic treatment.
Certain heart, vascular, kidney or other medical conditions can also change whether, or how, lymphatic and compression therapies should be used.
If we're unsure whether treatment is appropriate, we may recommend medical assessment or clearance before proceeding.
Not Sure If Your Swelling is Lymphatic?
You don't need to diagnose the cause of your swelling before contacting us.
If you're living with persistent swelling, have been diagnosed with lymphedema, have undergone surgery or lymph-node treatment or have been advised to seek lymphatic care, we can help determine the appropriate next step within our scope of practice.
When your presentation suggests that medical investigation is needed first, we'll recommend that rather than proceeding with the treatment.
If you're living with persistent swelling, have been diagnosed with lymphedema, have undergone surgery or lymph-node treatment or have been advised to seek lymphatic care, we can help determine the appropriate next step within our scope of practice.
When your presentation suggests that medical investigation is needed first, we'll recommend that rather than proceeding with the treatment.
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Mecca Massage Therapy Clinic
Massage Therapy. Wellness. Professional Education. 2278 Rose Street, Regina, Saskatchewan. (306)591-7105 [email protected] |