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Lymphedema Therapy

Lymphedema Therapy
Lymphedema is an excess accumulation of protein rich fluid in a body part, usually causing a limb to swell, sometimes to monstrous proportions.

What is lymphedema therapy?
Complete Decongestive Therapy (CDT) has been used for many years as a successful, conservative treatment option for lymphedema. The treatment requires a great deal of commitment and motivation by both the practitioners and the patient. The program is divided into four parts: meticulous skin care, manual lymphatic drainage, bandaging/garments and exercise.

The initial phase requires daily treatment for two to six weeks, depending on the severity of the condition. Patients receive instruction on skin care, self-bandaging and a home exercise program. Patients receive and are instructed in manual lymphatic drainage, a technique that increases the transport of lymph within the vessels. Patients have to bandage every day and exercise with the bandages in place. Toward the end of the series of treatments, patients are fitted with compression garments to maintain reduction. The maintenance phase is crucial. It is a chronic and progressive disease and without daily commitment on continuing with skin care, exercise, and wearing the compression sleeve, the limb will swell again. Prospective patients must assess if the have the self-motivation and/or external support of family and friends to take full advantage of this course of treatment.

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Oakwood Health

800.543.WELL

800.543.WELL

Oakwood Healthcare is located in Wayne County, Michigan (MI) with hospitals, emergency rooms, doctors, surgeons, specialists, physicians and clinics serving all of metro Detroit and southeast Michigan including Dearborn, Canton, Wayne, Trenton, Taylor, Wyandotte and Monroe.
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