Guest Blog - Jane Wigg - May 2023

Congratulations are in order for the 30th edition of the PhysioPod NewsMagazine … How incredible is it that Julie and Mary have been pulling together such information for so many years?

How much learning has taken place from that, and how many lives have been changed? It is commendable that the information has been transferred to so many people around the world and in easy to read and digest capacity.

I have loved being an ‘agony aunt’ for the ‘Ask Jane’ section. I can’t believe the videos that Mary has created making words look so much more interesting and inclusive. Thank you also to Gaynor Leech of LWO Community, who also provides such a vital service to those living with and without Lymphoedema. I never really thought I would be an Agony Aunt, but I hope that the sessions have been useful and please all remember that you can ask me anything, although I don’t always have the answers! I will, however, always try and find out from my network of people of Who's Who!

Lymphodema Training Academy (LTA) 21^st Birthday Celebrations

Whilst talking about achievements, I can’t believe that Lymphodema Training Academy (LTA) had its 21^st Birthday in January. To celebrate we have ’an audience with Professor Mortimer’, on 21^st July, which we are excited to offer at only £25 per person. Prof Mortimer needs no introduction in the world of lymphology and will be with us all day until we swap to Champagne, bubbles and Birthday cake. He will also officially be opening ‘The Mortimer Suite’ our training HQ. This is a Q&A session, so you have the opportunity to ask “The Prof’ anything. What other education can you buy that takes a whole day at £25? You deserve this! We will also have trade stands and lovely representation from PhysioPod UK - hope to see you there.

Lipoedema Training Course

As a shout out of what is happening with LTA, in addition to our usual Lymphoedema certified training, we are excited to have recently completed our second Certified Lipoedema training course. This has been incredible, taught by experts from around the world and supported by Lipoedema UK. We have two more cohorts running this year which ensures that you are recognised as a bespoke Certified Lipoedema therapist on the LTA register.  https://www.lymph.org.uk/specialist-lipoedema-management

Lymphoedema Training 

We know the world of Lymphoedema is changing, so over the last five years, we’ve also been holding bespoke training courses for Complementary Therapists/Sports Therapist/Bodyworkers and Massage Therapists, which have been accredited by The Federation of Holistic Therapists (FHT).  As therapists, you offer such a vital role to lymphoedema patients, as unfortunately, the NHS cannot provide some of the treatment that patients would like to receive. Through our network we are training more therapists to provide better care of those living with Lymphoedema and encouraging NHS and manual therapists to have great working relationships, ensuring excellent transitional care for the patient at the heart of all treatment.

If you are already MLD trained- come and top up, learn how ICG imaging has changed MLD and why and many other treatments and how to further enhance your outcomes. One therapist just emailed ‘You are an angel. Am absolutely loving this work and my patients can’t believe the difference".

New insights Of Lymphoedema Management Training

Another exciting training taking place this year is the long-awaited, Covid delayed, super advanced lymphoedema training course ’New insights Of Lymphoedema Management’, with Prof. JP. Belgrado. This will top up or explode your knowledge to a new place, email me about this 3-day training (1 virtual, 2 classroom-based) training for more details and pricing. 

LTA Compendium of Best Practice

Lastly, we’ve been so busy but proud, that we are just about to have the ‘LTA compendium of best practice’ published by MA Healthcare and the British Journal of Nursing. This collates 8 papers of many conference presentations and treatment stances discussing subjects such as assessment, use of imaging, innovation, lipoedema and mindset- all in one journal. It been a long time coming and very hard work, but we’re pleased that we’re nearly on the winning end - Can’t wait to see what you all think.

I wish Mary and Julie super ongoing success with the information, innovation and products they provided to thousands of therapists around the world. It’s a pleasure being your ‘Ask Jane!’

Until next time, Jane x

About Jane Wigg

Jane Wigg, Lymphoedema Clinical Expert, Lymphoedema Training Academy and LymphVision

Jane Wigg is a multi-award-winning nurse consultant, who has been working in the field of lymphology for over 25 years. She is an innovator, publisher, author, and educator of all things lymph.

She is passionate about improving the lives of those living with lymphatic conditions. Jane works clinically through providing Near Infrared Lymphofluoroscopy imaging clinics in the UK, through LymphVision and is Director of the Lymphoedema Training Academy, providing full certification in Lymphoedema rehabilitation including the pioneering method of Fluoroscopy Guided Manual Lymphatic Drainage (FG-MLD®) or the 'Fill & Flush' method.