A Review Of The TALK Lipoedema Spring Conference 2017 - Living To Your Full Potential and a look at Milestones in the UK Lipoedema Journey

Lipoedema is an adipose fat tissue disorder which effects an estimated 11% of the female population and yet, most surprisingly, it is not a condition that is covered in medical schools. It is a very cruel disease which affects sufferers both physically and mentally, impacting greatly on self confidence and self esteem. It is regularly misdiagnosed as simple obesity and it is also mistaken for Lymphoedema.

Read on PressReleasePoint 5.5.2017

 

The role of Lipoedema Support groups in the UK has never been more prevalent; as sufferers come together online and in person to share a condition they have always thought to be of their own making.  At last sufferers know they have a place where they can check in and get instant support from each other.

One such support group is TALK Lipoedema and their united vision for the future is clear:

 

"In the future, everyone who has Lipoedema will be diagnosed and receive an optimised individual care plan and access to an appropriate range of free services. Families, friends and supporters of patients with Lipoedema will feel educated and informed and able to access support where and when they choose. Lipoedema will be a household word".

 

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PhysioPod™ UK Ltd were greatly honoured to be invited as one of five exhibitors to the Talk Lipoedema - Living To Your Full Potential Spring Conference 2017, to show delegates DEEP OSCILLATION®.  On the back of the conference programme were these words, they certainly sum up the feeling of the conference -

 

“Life is full of beauty. Notice it. Notice the bumble bee, the small child, and the smiling faces.  Smell the rain and feel the wind. Live your life to the fullest potential and fight for your dreams.” 

 

Following the huge success of the 2015 Talk Lipoedema Spring Conference which was very informative and incredibly supportive (not to mention a whole lot of fun!) they really had a lot to live up to! PhysioPod™ UK Ltd are pleased to report that the eagerly awaited 2017 Living To Your Full Potential Conference was a roaring success, judging by the feedback from those in attendance below, with sound bites below leading to a click to full review.  

 

The Verdict 

 

AMAZING

 

After being supplied with hot and cold refreshments on arrival and armed with impressive Conference Delegate Programmes (including lots of goodies), the attendees were shown to their tables, which were well set out and adorned with the most beautiful fresh floral displays. Alex Munnoch, Patron of Talk Lipoedema opened the proceedings with his usual charm and good humour (in Mary and Julie's opinion, his presence always lights up a room and adds colour to any event!) A warm welcome was then extended by Chair Isobel MacEwan.

 

Presentations included:

 

  • Compression in Daily Life and Self Management 

  • Pre Liposuction Care, Liposuction & Post Liposuction 

  • Eating with Lipoedema 

  • Healthy Lymphatics 

  • How to live with conservative treatment instead of surgery 

  • Thought provoking presentations were given on "Pain in the brain",  "Taking Control Back"

 

(A full programme can be downloaded here)

 

Workshops were varied, enthusiastic and unique and included: Supplements for Lipoedema, Tripudio Movement, Nordic Walking, Mind and Body, Manual and Self Lymphatic Drainage Techniques, Myofascial Release in the Chair, Kinesio Taping, Supporting Your Partner, Aqua Aerobics and Compression for the later stages:

 

tripudionordickinesiomyo

aqua

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On the Saturday evening attendees were treated to "The Spring Fling" an evening of fashion, fun and frolics!

 

Evening entertainment was yet again, imaginative and highly enjoyable with a real 'wow' factor including an amazing belly dance show, rock and roll bingo, more dancing and a full on fashion show with their very own models organised by Pamela and Michaela Dawes, Talk Lipoedema Trustees.

 

Let the 'Fabulous Feedback' commence..

 

jill

 

Jill Wibberley - Lipoedema Sufferer

 

"During the conference we heard many speakers all very knowledgeable in their field from all corners of the UK and from other countries and I found it very refreshing that all were willing to share their expertise with everyone. One speaker from the Netherlands even remembered me from the previous conference" Click to read full review (PDF)

 

 

 

cw

 

CW - Lipoedema Sufferer

 

"Mary and Julie were so friendly and helpful and I was able to try the therapy which felt absolutely wonderful, my legs had felt very hard and swollen and after approximately 20 minutes of Julie using the equipment on my legs and also allowing my other half to have a go that when I stood up they felt the lightest they have ever felt in years I was so, so, impressed with the therapy" Click to read full review (PDF)

 

 

Isobel MacEwan

 

Isobel MacEwan, Chair of Talk Lipoedema

 

"Well after months of organising,I have to say that the team at Talk Lipoedema were pleased with response to our 2017 Conference, Living to your full Potential. Here is some of the feedback we have had: “I laughed, learned and was inspired, and have met so many beautiful souls” Click to read full review (PDF)

 

Donna

 

Donna Adams - Lipoedema Sufferer

 

"It was a huge privilege to be asked by the charity TALK LIPOEDEMA to perform and to also teach a few belly dance moves at their Spring conference 2017. Of course, I was nervous but how could I say No?! Talk Lipoedema has helped me immensely with learning about my condition and coming to terms with it. I have made so many new friends via Talk Lipoedema and the support that they offer is incredible" Click to read full review (PDF)

 

 

Carole and Leslie

 

Leslie and Carole Allman, Lipoedema sufferer

 

“It was great to be at the Talk Lipoedema Conference again this year, not only to see the friends my husband and I had made at Conference, attend the workshops demonstrations taking place. This year, I was delighted too to be involved in the Fashion Show - I really enjoyed my catwalk debut! Click to read full review (PDF)

 

 anne dancey

 

Anne Dancey - Surgeon and Speaker

 

"The knowledge gap in our understanding of fat tissue disorders in the United Kingdom is significant and we do not have all the answer to address the many legitimate concerns of sufferers. However, patient advocate groups are self-evidently doing a tremendous job at meetings like this in pushing this important issue for women. Click to read full review (PDF)

 

 

Kirsty 

 

Kirsten Bayne - Lipoedema Sufferer and Younique Owner

 

"I was also responsible for doing the makeup for 9 gorgeous, courageous women who were super models (in the true sense of the word) at the fashion show on the Saturday night. It was truly an honour to be part of such a wonderful event and spend time with “my people”. Click to read full review (PDF)

 

 medi

 

Exhibitor

 

“Being exposed to the patient experience enabled further understanding of the constraints of dealing with this devastating condition. Hearing first-hand accounts of the challenges ladies face and their determination and motivation to learn to cope with this life changing condition was awe-inspiring. Click to read full review (PDF)

 

lipoelastic Lipoelastic

 

Dalibor Švec of Lipoelastic (Exhibitor) pictured with Mary Fickling of PhysioPod during the evening entertainment    

 

“I was representing LIPOELASTIC, manufacturer of compression garments, this weekend at Living to your full potential conference by Talk Lipoedema in Birmingham. It was my pleasure to be surrounded by all those strong ladies and to hear their life stories but mainly to get to know more about their sickness.." Click to read full review (PDF)

 

 

Dr Anne Williams

 

Dr Anne Williams

 

"I know many people left feeling that they had learned new things that they could immediately use to improve their life with lipoedema- and I have seen and heard lots of evidence of this since the conference. For others, for example those who only recently discovered that they have lipoedema, the conference opened up doors and new possibilities for building confidence, signposting people to where they might get support and professional advice. I think the atmosphere was really quite unique at the conference- friendly, informative, inclusive." 

 

End of reviews - thanks to all who provided feedback, it is much appreciated by Mary and Julie of PhysioPod™ UK Ltd

 

 

 

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT LIPOEDEMA IN THE UK

 

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Lipoedema signs (drawing with thanks to Lipoedema UK and Chris Fickling Design)

 

Since Directors and Sisters, Julie Soroczyn and Mary Fickling of PhysioPod™ UK Ltd became involved with Lipoedema support groups and charities several years ago they have been in awe of the hard work and determination of many of the committed individuals involved in the work of helping sufferers of this chronic condition get the diagnosis and treatment they deserve by:

 

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milestones

 

Though still a long way to go, key advances have been made since October 2012, when Lipoedema was officially recognised by the NHS, there have been four major and notable achievements, of which those involved should be very proud:

  • Lipoedema UK carried out the Big Survey 2014 Research Report - This was the first research of its kind carried out in 2012-2014, with the objective of providing data and statistics on how people are diagnosed and treated by the medical profession; the range of symptoms; the efficacy of interventions and to scope out the experience of living with Lipoedema from a patient’s perspective.
  • Following on from this valuable research, Lipoedema UK, in partnership with The Royal College of General Practitioners, developed the RCGP Lipoedema elearning module which trains GPs to recognise and diagnose Lipoedema and is free for all UK Health Care Professional.

 

 

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up and coming 

 

6th May 2017 Lipoedema UK Southeast Members Event

 

14th-15th October Lipoedema UK Members Workshop 2017

 

 

Learn more

 

 DEEP OSCILLATION® easing Lipoedema symptoms

 

Pain, Inflammation, Swelling and Fibrosis, Promoting mobility and a feeling of "lighter legs"

 

Pre and post liposuction enhancing results

 

Since DEEP OSCILLATION® possesses anti-oedema, lymph drainage, anti-fibrosis and detoxifying properties, it prepares the tissue for liposuction, makes liposuction more effective and durable and protects against adverse effects of the body sculpturing procedure. See Lipographic

 

depth

sportspersonal unit 

The DEEP OSCILLATION® Personal units allow self management in the home and abroad

 

Clinical effects

 The athermal mechanical mode of action of deep oscillation can induce the following clinically documented effects in treated tissue:

 

  • Strong pain-alleviating potential. This applies to acute traumatic as well as to chronic pain conditions [2-11].
  • Anti-inflammatory effect [12, 13].
  • Prevention and reduction of secondary and primary lymphoedema, as well as reduction of oedema in lipoedema [2, 4, 6, 14-17].
  • Prevention of fibrotic remodelling processes, reduction of fibrosis [2, 14, 15, 18].
  • Muscle relaxation, mobilisation, functional improvement and improved ROM [4, 7, 18-20].
  • Support of wound healing processes [1, 21, 22].
  • Normalisation of haemodynamic parameters of the skin, correction of aesthetic-neurotic problems and influence on biological ageing through preventive effects on premature ageing [23].
  • Accelerated recovery after intensive physical workout [24, 25]
  • Decongestion and functional improvement in obstructive pulmonary conditions [26, 27]

 

DEEP OSCILLATION References

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