Lipoedema UK

Lipoedema UK was one of the first lipoedema charities, founded in 2012 by women living with lipoedema and healthcare professionals from St George’s Hospital, London.  

Lipoedema UK’s Big Survey 2014 was the first piece of research to give voice to the challenges of lipoedema and peoples’ lived experiences. The survey’s evidence on the difficulty in obtaining a diagnosis, led to Lipoedema UK partnering with the Royal College of General Practitioners to create the first lipoedema online Continuing Professional Development module. 

View all Lipoedema UK research here

Sharie Fetzer, Chair of Lipoedema UK 

Lipoedema UK Mission

Lipoedema UK exists to raise awareness of lipoedema amongst healthcare professionals and the general public in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. No-one should suffer alone, or be unaware that they have lipoedema, so we encourage a vibrant community of those living with lipoedema to come together for mutual support.

We want people with lipoedema to be diagnosed closer to their age of onset, and the range of treatments available on the NHS (both conservative and surgical) to be available to all, depending on their needs.

We are passionate about identifying potential researchers and projects to improve our understanding of lipoedema and develop better options for people’s quality of life and appropriate treatments.

Lipoedema UK Links

What is Lipoedema? - Symptoms & Causes - Stages & Types Diagnosis - RCGP eLearning course - Best Practice Guidelines Medical Resources & Research

Compression for Lipoedema - Weight Management & Nutrition - Best Exercises for Lipoedema Liposuction – Lipedema Reduction Surgery (LRS) - Emotional Support Hormones & Lipoedema - Other Treatments

View Events, Get Involved, Become A Member, and read all about the incredible work of Lipoedema UK

PhysioPod® Support and Activities

PhysioPod® UK have been delighted to be involved with Lipoedema UK over the years, attending various gatherings and spreading awareness of Lipoedema at other HCP conferences

From Top:

Suzanne Evans, Former Chair of Lipoedema UK (now Treasurer) 
Prof. Dr. Wilfried Schmeller, Hanse-Klinik, Lübeck 
Julie Soroczyn, Managing Director of PhysioPod® 
Catherine Seo of Lipoedema simplified LLC, patient advocate, film-maker and researcher 
Mr David Ross MD FRCS (Plast), Consultant Plastic Surgeon 
Catherine Seo of Lipoedema simplified LLC is pictured applying DEEP OSCILLATION® therapy.

The following is an exert from PhysioPod™ UK Ltd coverage of the 2014 event which featured in the CHOICE HEALTH AND WELLBEING Magazine, Autumn 2014.

"PhysioPod® had the great pleasure of attending/exhibiting at the Lipoedema UK Conference and AGM at The Royal College of General Practitioners in Euston Square, London. It was unveiled that 48,000 UK Surgeons were to learn about Lipoedema diagnosis and management via an e-learning module. Lipoedema (painful fat syndrome) is a chronic genetic condition that presents as the abnormal build-up of fat cells in the limbs and buttocks of women and occasionally, in men. Lipoedema is not affected by diet or exercise and has, until now, been misdiagnosed as Lymphoedema or as simple obesity. A highlight for me personally was to, at last, meet the inspirational Catherine Seo of Lipoedema Simplified LLC, a Lipo-Lymphoedema sufferer based in the US. Catherine travels worldwide creating awareness of the condition and helping others. A filmmaker and researcher, she has had a huge battle in getting the right healthcare and the advice she rightly deserved in our “fat-bias” culture. We hit it off instantly and Catherine came to our stand to find out more about our therapy and to try it with the gloves on. She was amazed at our quickly it reduced oedema and has organized demos in Boston and New York.

Sharie Fetzer, Chair of Lipoedema UK, also a Lipoedema sufferer, gave the following review of her experience of the therapy and the feedback from one of the ladies attending the event:

“After spending a total of 4 days on my feet, 2 at the International Lymphoedema Framework Conference and 2 days running Lipoedema UK Conference and AGM, my legs were swollen and painful, so a session with Deep Oscillation from Julie was wonderful. It really helped alleviate the swelling and pressure. This is the feedback we received from one of our Lipoedema UK conference delegates”

“I did have some amazing treatment for pain and muscular problems with the PhysioPod® UK Ltd team, Julie and Mary. They were giving free demonstrations of their machine, which penetrates 8 cm into the body with deep vibrating oscillation. Being a bit sceptical about this I hesitated but then decided to go forward for a session of treatment and found immediate relief from my neck and back pain. I was truly amazed at the results. They were incredible but the good thing is that they have actually had some lasting effect"

Poster support 

"Blooming Marvellous Poster - New Hope For Patients Living with Lipoedema”

PhysioPod® UK Limited & Chris Fickling Design

were happy to fund the design and printing of BLS Poster and banner which was used for the Lipoedema UK Campaign

"Blooming Marvellous - New Hope For Patients Living with Lipoedema”  presented at the BLS 2014.

PhysioPod® promoted awareness of Lipoedema to CSP's at AACP Conference and had a meeting with the CEO of AACP Caspar Van Dongen who felt it was important to share the Lipoedema UK/RCGP elearning course with AACP members in their December 2014 Newsletter