What is Lymphedema?
Lymphedema is swelling because of a disruption in the flow of lymph fluid through the lymphatic system. This disruption causes the fluid to accumulate under the skin which leads to swelling, generally in the arms and legs, but also the face and neck.
A patient’s leg being treated with a vasopneumatic pump.
What is Lymphedema?
Lymphedema causes swelling because of a disruption in the flow of lymph fluid through the lymphatic system. This protein-rich fluid accumulates under the skin which leads to swelling, generally in the arms and legs, but also the face and neck.
Are you not sure if you have lymphedema verses regular swelling or edema? There is a self-check for Lymphedema you can perform before you make an appointment with a physician to request therapy:
Is the swelling limited to one arm or leg?
Did you have surgery or radiation prior to the onset of the swelling?
Did you have an injury or surgery on your affected body part?
Is the back of the hand/foot included in the swelling?
Are the natural skin folds (elbow/knee, ankle/wrist) on your extremity deepened?
If the answer to some or all the above questions is “yes”, lymphedema may be present.
Lymphedema that is hereditary (type I) or acquired after a surgery or after cancer treatments can be evaluated, treated, and managed. Early Identification and treatment help patients achieve better results.
Treatment during the acute or chronic stages of the disease can help manage symptoms.
More chronic symptoms and signs include:
Swelling in your arms, legs, shoulders, hands, fingers, chest, or neck.
Skin that feels tighter, harder, or thicker than normal in the affected area.
Clothing, rings, bracelets, or shoes that fit tighter than before.
Aching, tingling, or a feeling that your arm or leg is heavy.
Weakness in your arm or leg.
Difficulty moving joints, such as your wrist or ankle.
Repeated infections in your arm or leg.
How Brown Rogers Therapy Can Help You
Our lymphedema specialist will provide consultation and craft a specialized, individualized treatment plan to help control symptom, helping you get back to doing what you love. During Our Lymphedema Evaluation we will spend one-on-one time assembling a thorough client history, detailed, anatomically-specific measurements of swelling, range of motion, strength, and function of the affected area.
Your Treatment May Include:
Repeat measurement of swollen areas
Manual Lymphatic Drainage and/or Vasopneumatic device treatment to reduce the size of the affected area
Compression bandaging or temporary compression garment until maximum reduction is achieved, then measurement for a compression garment
Therapeutic and breathing exercises that help decrease the swelling.
Activity modification recommendations to limit exacerbations of lymphedema
Client and family education for self-management of lymphedema, including home equipment recommendations so you are successful at discharge.
We’re Only a Phone Call (or Text) Away
If you or a loved one has been suffering with symptoms like these, let us help you! Scheduling an evaluation is an easy, convenient process. You can call or text us at 225-926-2400, and our team will be in touch with next steps.
Why is Pelvic Health Therapy Important?
Pelvic health is important to a lot of bodily functions, as well overall postural stability. The pelvic “floor” acts like a basket of muscles, nerves, and fascia that holds vital organs and supports functions like urination, bowel movements, sex, and pregnancy and delivery.
Pelvic health is important to a lot of bodily functions, as well overall postural stability. The pelvic “floor” acts like a basket of muscles, nerves, and fascia that holds vital organs and supports functions like urination, bowel movements, sex, pregnancy, and delivery.
Activities such as childbirth, heavy lifting or chronic coughing can put pressure and weaken these muscles. Pelvic health therapy helps bring awareness to these muscle groups first so that strengthening is effective, and symptoms are alleviated.
What can you do to protect the pelvic floor?
Our therapists use Biofeedback Technology to help patients gain sensitivity and control over pelvic floor muscle tightening and relaxation, resulting in improved coordination.
Exhale during lifting. Exercise your pelvic floor and core muscles. Maintain a healthy body weight. Avoid constipation and excessive coughing. See a pelvic health therapist to evaluate strength, tightness, coordination, pain, dysfunction and much more.
What to expect in a treatment visit?
Our Pelvic Health Specialists take the time to understand your individual situation, knowing that each client will be different. An individualized and tailored treatment program is developed that is based on clinical findings, related medical history, and a thorough evaluation. Treatment may include:
Biofeedback technology: this helps patients gain sensitivity and control over pelvic floor muscle tightening and relaxation, resulting in improved coordination.
Education and home exercises for the pelvic floor
Bladder and bowel retraining strategies
Dilator training for increasing penetration tolerance
Safe Core muscle training
Stretches
Physiological quieting exercises
Breathing exercises
Post-surgical protocols
Pain relief measures
Functional activities and exercise activity education
Why choose us?
In 2006, we were the first private (non-hospital) clinic in Baton Rouge to offer outpatient pelvic health therapy, and our program continues to offer an effective solution to pelvic floor dysfunction.
We want to walk with each patient on their own path to healing, recognizing the uniqueness of the journey. In just a few visits, many patients will see significant improvements and develop their own understanding of the pelvic floor as an integrated system in the body!
We recognize our proactive, comprehensive approach and proven results empower people to return to normal activities that may have been affected by the pelvic health dysfunction.
We offer Pelvic Health therapy at both of our clinics. If you would like to schedule an appointment, you can call or text our office at 225-926-2400.