Secondary Lymphoedema - Back In The Control Of The Patients Hands - With Thanks to Deep Oscillation

"My Lymphoedema was first diagnosed in 2004, in my left arm following surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy for breast cancer. Until 2014, I believed that I had it under control - with simple compression sleeves for the affected arm. I also believed what I was I was told - that typically such Lymphoedema only affected the arm adjacent to the surgery.

Read on LinkedInPulse 13th November 2018

But following a long day at work, tired, heavy and in pain, I made an appointment with a Manual Lymphatic Drainage Practitioner for treatment. The immediate effectiveness of this treatment was revelatory. But even more revealing was the fact that the Lymphoedema was, in fact, also affecting my neck and trunk, and had led, over a number of years, to an accumulation of lymphatic fluid there. That my increase in girth was not actually due to my age or poor dietary choices (!) was, as you can imagine, an enormous relief. Like many of us, I had taken very seriously the advice on diet and exercise.

The subsequent Complex Decongestive Therapy treatment resulted both in the extraordinary loss of some 11kg in weight - most of it quite apparent in my change of shape, but it also made a huge difference to my energy levels and my mobility. The ability of three-weekly maintenance MLD treatments to keep it under control was a cause for great optimism.

Until, that is, a second diagnosis of breast cancer, almost twenty years after the first, which led to a mastectomy in June of 2017. I don’t need to describe how devastating that was; it’s something we all fear.

It also led to a suspension of Manual Lymphatic Drainage treatments for a period of some nine months, and this, along with the further compromises of my lymphatic system, resulted in the return of lymphatic fluid accumulations in my arms, neck and trunk, with a vengeance. It also resulted in very determined effort on my part to research the condition, and develop my self-help strategies to the max. In this, I have had invaluable support from my local Macmillan Lymphoedema Specialist nurse, my GP, and my private Lymphoedema specialist practitioner.

With their help and support, first of all, I applied successfully for three weeks of DLT treatment at The Wittlinger Clinic in Austria via the S2/E111. Why Austria? In my area, there is only one specialist Lymphoedema nurse to serve an area one some 1600 sq. miles. The CDT intervention, the first recommendation for treatment by both the NHS and NICE is simply not available, much less the recommended fortnightly maintenance MLD. I can only access that if I can afford to pay for it. This is not an uncommon situation.

I’ve learned more about self-management at every step on the way - most of all that, in these circumstances, self-management will be the forward for me. Compression garments, daily exercise - most importantly swimming and other aqua exercises - are now part of my daily routine, with MLD at intervals that I can afford.

 

But the other thing that has made the most phenomenal difference to the regime is the discovery of the personal DEEP OSCILLATION® Personal SPORTS aka PhysioPod machine. The bespoke therapy card means that I can alleviate the pain and discomfort almost instantly, and I can actually see results within an hour of use, both in in the tightness and texture of my skin, and the very obvious reduction in fluid accumulation. It means that I have reduced my concerns about cellulitis risks, and the development of fibroses. Being small and portable - in its own dinky travel bag - it means that travelling - long journeys in the car or even by air - are possible, can be contemplated without fear of the usual result of painful swelling. It has put control back into my own hands. That’s essential for me."

 

Patient name withheld on request.

 

 

 

About DEEP OSCILLATION®


Because of the non-invasive, non-traumatic, gentle nature of this therapy, very early possibilities of application are possible following injury and from Day One post operatively. Chronic conditions can also be worked upon with effective results, including Lymphoedema and Lipoedema.

DEEP OSCILLATION® is an internationally patented, proven technology based on the effects of creating an electrostatic field in the tissue of the patient. Easy application is from therapist to patient/client via hygienic, vinyl gloved hands; utilizing all normal massage movements or via circular movements over the tissue with a handheld applicator. The handheld applicator also enables self-treatment. Visit the DEEP OSCILLATION® product range

The special structure of DEEP OSCILLATION® allows the creation of biologically effective oscillations in the treated tissue using electrostatic attraction and friction. In contrast to other therapies, these pleasant oscillations have a gentle and deep-acting effect on all tissue components to an 8 cm depth (through skin, connective tissue, subcutaneous fat, muscles, blood and lymph vessels).

For more information please visit www.physiopod.co.uk, call 01159 167 685/0788 692 5715 or email info@physiopod.co.uk

 

Frequently Asked Questions

 

Read Dr Jens Reinhold Article on the Mechanisms of Deep Oscillation