PhysioPod exhibited at the Lipoedema UK Annual Conference & AGM 2014

Raising Lipoedema awareness is key to finding a cure for this terrible condition which was only recognised by the NHS in 2012. PhysioPod® UK Limited were pleased to participate and demonstrate DEEP OSCILLATION® therapy at the event. Dr Dirk Pilat of RCGP detailed the new E-Learning course on Lipoedema for GP's. Suzanne Evans Chair of Lipoedema UK along with Sharie Fetzer, Research Co-ordinatior (now Chair) revealed the final results of Lipoedema UK’s Big Survey.



Venue

 

Royal College of General Practitioners

Euston Square, London, NW1 2FB.

Directions to RCGP


Date

 

Saturday, 7th June 2014

 

Programme of Events

8.30 a.m to 9.30 a.m: Registration and Refreshments 

 

 

suzanne evanssharie fetzer

9.30 a.m - 10.15 a.m The Lipoedema UK 2014 AGM

Suzanne Evans - Chairman Lipoedema UK, Sharie Fetzer - Treasurer Lipoedema UK

 

Dirk Pilat

   10.15 a.m to 11.10 a.m Dr Dirk Pilat FRCGP, PgDipGP

Medical Director for E-Learning, Royal College of General Practitioners

Introducing 48,000 General Practitioners to Lipoedema 

An introduction to the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) and Lipoedema UK's new elearning course from Dr Dirk Pilat FRCGP, PgDipGP. Medical Director for elearning, RCGP and GP-Partner at Bromley by Bow Health Partnership.

Contributor - Dr Sarah Pledger FFSRH MRCGP, DRCOG, Clinical Lead for Gynaecology and Unscheduled Care CWS CCG, Fertility LES.GP

 

11.10 a.m to 11.30 a.m

Coffee Break

 

11.30 a.m to 12.00 p.m

Suzanne Evans and Sharie Fetzer of Lipoedma UK will be revealing the final results of Lipoedema UK’s Big Survey 2013 into Lipoedema

 

aquarobics

    12.00 p.m to 12.20 pm

Chartered Physiotherapist, Glenda Baum, MSc, MCSP. author of Aquarobics and originator of Fitter Sitters, livening up the day with exercises specifically designed for Lipoedema.

12.20 pm to 1.20 p.m

Buffet lunch with dairy-free, wheat-free and vegetarian options

 

Prof Peter Mortimer

1.20 pm to 2.00 pm

 Lipoedema UK’s Patron Professor Peter M Mortimer

The Future for Lipoedema - Patron of Lipoedema UK - Professor Peter M Mortimer MD. FRCP Professor of Lympho-vascular and Dermatalogical Medicine to St George’s and Royal MarsdenHospitals

 

 

 Prof. Dr. Wilfried Schmeller

2.00 pm to 2.50 pm

Prof. Dr. Wilfried Schmeller, Hanse-Klinik, Lübeck, Germany, specialising in Tumescent Liposuction for lipoedema, will be discussing his methods.

Glenda Baum

2.50 p.m - 3.00 p.m

Mini exercise session with Glenda Baum, Chartered Physiotherapist

 

3.00 p.m - 3.20 p.m

Tea Break

 

denise hardy

3.20 p.m - 3.50 p.m

Denise Hardy Nurse Consultant - RGN, BSc (Hons)

Use of Compression including Bandages

 

David Ross

3.50 p.m to 4.00 p.m

Mr David Ross MD FRCS (Plast), Consultant Plastic Surgeon and Head of Plastic Surgery at Guy’s, St Thomas’ Hospitals and Kings College Hospital, London will also speak on Liposuction for Lipoedema


Sunday 8th June 2014

Extra Meet for Lipoedema UK

Members & Partners

 

9.30 a.m to 1.00 p.m.

 

  Chester Suite, Melia Whitehouse Hotel, Albany Street, Regents Park, London NW1 3UP

 


 christine wise

 Nurse Consultant Christine Wise, RGN, BSc (Hons) will provide "One to One Advice" on Managing Lipoedema 


 

A Motivational Talk: Self-Esteem, Self-Respect and Loving Your Body
by Cynthia Holden of Developing Nation Limited

 

denise hardy

One to One Garment Advisory Sessions
with Denise Hardy Nurse Consultant - RGN, BSc (Hons)

(including a prescription request to take to GP's - provided there are no contra-indications)

 

mary and julie

HIVAMAT® 200 and the DEEP OSCILLATION® Personal SPORTS

Extra time to try DEEP OSCILLATION® with Mary & Julie from PhysioPod™ UK Ltd

More information about this therapy follows at foot of page including testimonials.

 

suzanne evanssharie fetzer

Suzanne Evans & Sharie Fetzer to talk about Lipoedema UK’s plans to spread the word about their
E Learning course for GP’s
&
the new Survey on
Treatments & Exercise Programmes for Lipoedema

 

Other Social Get-Togethers over the weekend

Friday Evening 6th June

 
  Supper Get-together for Lipoedema UK Members and Partners

the place


The Place, Melia Whitehouse Hotel, Albany Street, Regents Park, London NW1 3UP


7.30 pm onwards for supper or just drinks

 A get together in  ‘The Place’ restaurant  to share experiences and make new friends over dinner on Friday night.
 
Partners and family members very welcome.
 
The Palace specialises in ‘natural, healthy and delicious, seasonal and fresh food with a daily international buffet with a generous choice of mains, sides and deserts.  They also have take- aways such as salads, hot boxes, soups and tapas.


Saturday Evening 7th June

 

Supper Get together for Lipoedema UK Members and Partners
 
The Place, Melia Whitehouse Hotel, Albany Street, Regents Park, London NW! 3UP

7.30 pm onwards for supper or just drinks

 

Registration and Cost


Lipoedema UK 2014 members: £10.00: includes 2 course lunch and all refreshments

  Membership of Lipoedema UK costs £25 annually and you can purchase a combined 2014 Membership and Conference place for £35.

For Non Lipoedema UK attendees

The Conference cost is £75  (*early booking discount of £65 available for non-members until 31st March 2014).

Register here

 

Royal College of GPs 

Register here

 

Can't attend the Conference but would like to become a Member and support Lipoedema UK?

Then please enrol on the Membership Page


Lipoedema UK appreciate all donations and fundraising which enable them to continue their work with the medical professions.  Their aim is that everyone with Lipoedema obtains an early diagnosis and to encourage more research into causes and treatments of Lipoedema.

Please note places are limited and will be allocated on a first come first serve basis. Cancellations, if notified via email to sharie@lipoedema.co.uk are acceptable up to 21 days before the start of the Conference and will receive a full refund. Substitutions are acceptable if notified via email up to 7 days before the start of the Conference.

 

More information on DEEP OSCILLATION® for Lipoeodema

Read on PressReleasePoint 17.4.2014

 

sharie, mary and juliemary talking

 

Sharie Fetzer, Research Co-Ordinator of Lipoedema UK (pictured left) invited PhysioPod™ UK Ltd to the forthcoming Lipoedema UK Annual Conference & AGM 2014 following their talk and demonstration of DEEP OSCILLATION® at the Lipoedema Ladies meeting in October 2013. 

Aswell as a host of talks from Healthcare Professionals on Lipoedema, attendees at the Lipoedema UK Annual Conference & AGM 2014 will have the opportunity to learn about and experience DEEP OSCILLATION® therapy. The electrostatic massage system permeates an 8cm depth; through skin, subcutaneous fat, muscles, blood and lymph vessels and the connective tissue, is both portable, easy to use and is an effective tool for keeping the  symptoms of lipoedema maintained.

See also press release on sufferer feedback

Read FAQ of Lipoedema sufferers regarding DEEP OSCILLATION®

Testimonials from Lipoedema Sufferers self managing with the DEEP OSCILLATION® Personal SPORTS

 

"After myself and my mother were diagnosed with Lipoedema last year we found huge benefits from receiving regular manual lymphatic drainage treatments. As good as that is, financially it just isn't possible for us to go weekly. So when the Hivamat was recommended to us a few months ago by a well-respected MLD therapist, we hadn't heard about deep oscillation therapy, and wanted to find out more. We were given a demonstration of her Hivamat, and were so impressed that Mum decided to take the chance and invest in a personal unit for us to both use. We can't begin to say how much of a difference it has made - to come home, use the unit for 20 minutes, and for it to take the heavy, fluidy, feeling out of our legs and arms and more importantly to relieve any pain. Thanks to the Hivamat, we have been able to halve the number of MLD massages we go for. Although it seems so gentle when using it, the massage helps to move a lot of fluid out of limbs. We would have no hesitation in recommending the Hivamat to anyone, especially other sufferers of Lipoedema"

Louise, United Kingdom

 

 

"I first heard about the PhysioPod™ UK Ltd in October 2013, at a meet for ladies with Lipoedema.  It is a very painful condition. Mary and Julie offered me a taster session on the PhysioPod™ UK Ltd. I was very dubious, as how could a machine help with the horrid pain in my fat legs?  So I lay on the table, holding a little metal bar that was connected to the machinee, then Julie's vinyl gloved hands were placed lightly on my legs, running up and down each leg and around a fat lump behind my right knee. After the treatment my legs felt a lot lighter and I was in less pain.  Then the dreaded question was asked, how much for the unit? It was quite an investment and my mouth dropped open! How on earth was I going to afford that on DLA and JSA. But I knew I had to have a PhysioPod™ UK Ltdof my own - I just knew it would help with my pain and make the quality of life better.  So when I got home I got my family and friends to help fundraise. We managed to raise the money needed. In February 2014 my PhysioPod™ UK Ltd was hand delivered by Mary and Julie, I had a lovely session, they also showed my daughter Sophie how to use the machine.  I now use the machine at least twice a day, my daughter give me a session via gloved hands and then I do a self treatment circling the applicators over my legs. I found it a little difficult at first to self-treat but after a little while it became easier. I have now been using the PhysioPod™ UK Ltd for around 6 weeks and I am delighted to report that I no longer take any pain relief Oramorph (morphine) or any medication to  help me sleep. This machine is well worth every penny. It's my "Buddy" ...Thanks Mary and Julie for getting the spring back in my legs. I still wear my wraps on my legs but it is a lot easier to put them on. I have many lumps behind my knees, one was very big but now it is the size of a pea and hopefully they will all get smaller.  I also have fatty lumps all over my legs, they were hard lumps, now they are softer, so in time i hoping they will disperse."

Chrissie Aldous, Norwich


 
“Thank you for the trial with the Oscillation machine - my legs have been "swishing" since the treatment, I really felt like it got everything moving once again and I felt like I was walking on air when I left - the "heaviness" that I so often feel in my legs was completely gone - truly amazing and very exciting!

On her feedback experience of the event on the Lipoedema Ladies website she wrote: "Mum and I had the absolute pleasure of meeting Mary and Julie  also -  two gorgeous sisters who were there with their Oscillation machine which I was lucky enough to have a demonstration with - I cannot tell you how I felt afterwards - it was like walking on air - my legs felt so light, I wanted to go out and shout it from the rooftops! It is so wonderful to know that a machine like this is available and that relief for so many sufferers can be found in this deep massaging technique"


Nina Blakemore, Catwalk and Television plus size model and Speaker at Lipoedema Ladies

 

What is Lipoedema?

(Taken with thanks from Wikipedia)

This is a disorder of adipose tissue and it involves the excess deposit and expansion of fat cells in an unusual and particular pattern - bilateral, symmetrical and usually from the waist to a distinct line just above the ankles and unlike the "normal" fat of obesity, lipoedemic fat cannot be lost through diet and exercise. Surgery is highly controversial, and in many cases, can make the condition worse.

Lipoedema usually is triggered at puberty, but can trigger or worsen during or after pregnancy, at peri-menopause, and following gynecological surgery. If Lipoedema is diagnosed early, which currently is very rare, it is possible to prevent a significant expansion of lipoedemic fat cells, and to alert patients to their heightened risk for obesity so they can take appropriate action.
Estimates of the incidence of Lipoedema vary widely, and range as high as 11% of the post-puberty female population.

View PDF (from NHS website) for more information

 

What is the standard treatment for Lipoedema?

Treatment is designed primarily to address the secondary lymphoedema part of the Lipoedema patient's condition (as outlined above). This treatment includes a course of manual lymphatic drainage and bandaging by a Lymphoedema therapist, followed by the wearing of custom-fitted compression garments or devices - usually stockings and sometimes biker shorts. Compression prevents recurrence of lymphoedema, and in some Lipoedema patients can reduce the pain of lipoedemic fat.

 Tumescent Liposuction as a treatment for Lipoedema

(Taken from the NHS Website)

The only treatment that appears to be effective for lipoedema is a procedure called tumescent liposuction, although this is not usually available on the NHS. Tumescent liposuction involves injecting a liquid solution into the legs to help numb the area and reduce blood loss, before the unwanted fat is removed. It has been reported to be a highly effective treatment with good long-term results. Read more about liposuction and having an operation.

What type of massage is advised?

Manual Lympathic Drainage (MLD) is an advanced therapy in which the practitioner uses a range of specialised and gentle rhythmic pumping techniques to move the skin in the direction of the lymph flow. It is a specialised massage technique designed to stimulate the flow of fluid and reduce swelling and must only be performed by a qualified practitioner. DEEP OSCILLATION® can be combined with MLD techniques. To read a list of practitioners combining the two therapies for effective results please click here

Simple Lymphatic Drainage (SLD) massage (including deep breathing exercise) is performed by the sufferer. The SLD technique is taught to sufferers by MLD & Lymphoedema Practitioners. It is vitally important that sufferers and relatives are taught the correct technique, in order to push the lymph fluid and its contents in the correct direction of flow.

Self treatment can be combined with DEEP OSCILLATION® using the DEEP OSCILLATION® Personal SPORTS - to read more testmonials click here

Further Helpful advice for Lymphoedema & Lipoedema sufferers can be read at the Macmillan website, at MLD UK and The British Lymphology Society (BLS)

Controlling and managing symptoms - self care can greatly help improve quality of life:

Making changes to diet following advice from a practitioner

Keeping to a healthy weight and avoiding smoking.

Wearing properly measured compression garments

Performing remedial exercises which are designed to activate the muscles in the limbs to improve lymph drainage

Regular skin care routines to prevent infection and injury

Qualified Lymphoedema Practioners offer MLD and Decongestive Lymphatic Therapy (DLT) which will include:

Multilayer lymphoedema bandaging (MLLB) and compression garments to move the fluid out of the affected limb.

Lymphoedema Kinesio taping - a special stretchy tape is applied directly onto the skin. It gently lifts the top layer of skin, allowing the superficial lymph fluid to flow more easily. (Combined with bandaging/and or compression).

A very informative article about compression can be read on the Talk Lipoedema site click here.  This has been written by Elaine Cruickshank MacNicol, Lymphoedema Specialist and BLS Executive Committee Member < click to email for advice, Elaine is more than happy to offer advice to sufferers.  

Products which may assist sufferers are Juxta FIT by CircAid and Juxta CURES if there is a leg ulcer present.

Skin care and exercises.