Living with Lymphoedema - My Story by Corinne
"Lymphoedema is lifelong. The pain, suffering, and discomfort it brings do not have to be....
I always knew that my operation for head and neck cancer would be life-changing. I never knew that the treatment of Deep Oscillation would be as well.
In January 2024, I was diagnosed with an aggressive tumour that occupied a large section of my throat. The 15-hour operation involved the removal of the tumour via a full neck dissection and jaw split to access the area, as well as a free-flap procedure taking tissues from my arm to fill the void that had been left in my throat. Radiotherapy was administered to target any remaining cancer cells because achieving clear margins was not possible due to the tumour's size and complexity.
All treatments completed, I was left with dramatic visual scars, significant scar tissue deep in the structure of my throat, and, to add to the impact, lymphoedema and fibrosis.
The left side of my face was solid with fibrosis from under my eye all the way down my cheek, my neck, and to my collarbone and shoulder. The lymphoedema sat on top. The right side had fibrosis in pockets, and the front of my throat had such significant fibrosis and lymphoedema that there was no definition between my chin and my neck. A full collar of discomfort surrounded my neck and made it near impossible to move my head.
Not satisfied with taking this as my new normal, I pushed for my clinical support team to look into options for me. It was then that I was referred to Saint Catherine’s Hospice in Scarborough (as there were no NHS lymphoedema service provisions in my area). I came under the care of Lymphoedema Specialist nurse Lindsey Lister. Her supportive nature, specialist knowledge, and determination to help and make a difference have been life-changing.
Not only did she teach me and share her knowledge of techniques to manage my lymphoedema and required drainage, but she also introduced me to Deep Oscillation—a real game changer! Using the PhysioPod machine to target the fibrosis, she gradually broke it down, relieving me of pain and discomfort and restoring movement to my face and neck. She showed me how to move lymph away from the key areas to help reduce the risk of infection from the stagnant fluid and the buildup of fibrosis.
Manual lymphatic drainage massage has its place, but delicate facial skin does not take kindly to being pulled and stretched! At 45, I have worked hard to have good, healthy, smooth skin, and it seems counterintuitive to pull and stretch the skin in order to get the necessary movement to aid drainage.
In comes the PhysioPod!
Working to a depth of 8 cm, it glides over the skin, with no pulling or aggressive pressure, working deep inside to break down the fibrosis and move the pooling lymph fluid away for drainage. Everything feels so much more comfortable. I am able to feel freedom of movement, and looking in the mirror, I can see a difference—it is dramatic! The heavy, puffy face is slimmed, the cheekbones are appearing again, and I am starting to get my jawline back. Such great results…
But what happens when I have finished the course of treatment? Lymphoedema is lifelong. What happens when the fluid builds up again, the fibrosis reforms, and I find myself back at the beginning?
No. I want to be in control. It may not be cheap, but it is very difficult to put a price on the results that are achieved from using the PhysioPod. So I made the investment into my future living with lymphoedema and I bought a PhysioPod machine. That’s how much I believe in the significance of deep oscillation in helping the management of my lymphoedema.
I can now take control of what would otherwise have been a painful, uncomfortable, and, quite frankly, upsetting future. A face that gets puffier by the day, skin that is pulled and pummelled to try and make some sort of impact but with no possibility of impacting the swelling deep inside my throat that affects my swallowing and my speech. With deep oscillation, scars and swelling deep in my throat can be impacted, leading to clearer speech, more defined pronunciation, less fatigue when talking, and an easier swallow. Using the pod gives me confidence. Not only because of the results but because it puts me in control… for life. I am no longer waiting for a clinic appointment to relieve my discomfort… The portable pod means I can treat my symptoms whenever I need to.
You live with lymphoedema, but with PhysioPod, I'm in control."
Corinne
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
2025 Research Review of
Head and Neck Lymphoedema Management Strategies
DEEP OSCILLATION® Therapy in the Management of
Head and Neck Lymphoedema
Head and neck lymphoedema is a challenging condition that can significantly affect a person's quality of life effecting upto 90% of individuals on completion of treatment. It often presents with various complex symptoms, impacting physical function, appearance, and emotional well-being. DEEP OSCILLATION® therapy provides a promising adjunct in managing these complex issues.
Individuals living with head and neck lymphoedema may face numerous difficulties, including:
• Airway Obstruction: Severe swelling can lead to compromised breathing and breathing difficulties, which may be lethal in extreme circumstances.
• Dysphagia (Difficulty Swallowing): This condition impairs swallowing, potentially resulting in nutritional difficulties. Patients may also experience odynophagia, or painful swallowing.
• Facial and Neck Disfigurement: Lymphoedema can cause asymmetry of the face or neck, leading to cosmetic disfigurement, facial deformity, or an abnormal facial appearance, which significantly affects how someone looks.
• Pain and Discomfort: Common symptoms include pain or discomfort, which may also manifest as headaches. This pain can arise from swelling, fibrosis, or nerve compression.
• Limited Mobility: There can be a decrease in range of motion, particularly in the cervical spine (neck), leading to limited neck mobility, restricted neck range of motion, and difficulty moving the neck, head, and jaw. This hampers daily activities and reduces quality of life.
• Skin Issues: Cellulitis or Skin Infections: Patients face an elevated risk of persistent cellulitis or skin infections, which are often linked to lymphoedema. Skin Breakdown or Ulceration: Swelling can cause skin damage, leading to skin breakdown or ulceration, sometimes with oozing or bleeding from lesions. Fibrosis and scarring exacerbate this risk.
• Psychological and Emotional Effects: The visible disfigurement, functional limitations, and ongoing medical issues can result in social disengagement, anxiety, emotional distress, increased social isolation, and reduced self-esteem.
• Ocular Difficulties: Severe eyelid lymphoedema can cause difficulty regaining normal ocular aperture (ability to open eyes), potentially leading to vision problems or even effective blindness in extreme cases.
• Speech Difficulties: Individuals may experience modified speech or difficulty speaking, signifying a functional impairment that can impact social interactions and overall quality of life.
How Deep Oscillation Therapy Provides Relief
• Reduces Swelling: This therapy promotes lymphatic drainage, helping to decrease persistent oedema and swelling around the face, neck, and eyes.
• Improves Mobility: By reducing fibrosis and softening scar tissue, deep oscillation can enhance movement of the neck and jaw, alleviating limited range of motion and improving flexibility.
• Relieves Pain and Discomfort: The therapy has analgesic effects, which can ease pain arising from swelling, fibrosis, inflammation, or tissue tightness.
• Enhances Skin Health: Deep oscillation improves circulation, promoting healthier skin and reducing the risk of ulceration, infections, and skin breakdown.
• Reduces Fibrosis and Scar Tissue: It helps in softening fibrotic tissue and scars, improving flexibility, restoring more natural tissue flexibility, and reducing contractures that limit movement.
• Improving Lymphatic Flow and Skin Health: Deep Oscillation can lower the chances of cellulitis and other skin infections, which are common issues for people with lymphoedema.
• Improves Breathing and Speech: Reducing oedema and fibrosis around the airway and oral structures can facilitate better breathing, speech, and swallowing functions, enabling greater independence and quality of life.
• Improved Relocation of Lymph: After lymph nodes have been removed it is necessary to relocate the lymph to other regions in order for it to drain effectively. This distance can be considerable, and the use of Deep Oscillation makes it significantly simpler to relocate to the necessary location than it is to do so manually.
• Psychological Benefits: The reduction in discomfort, aesthetic improvements, and enhanced mobility can significantly boost emotional well-being. Patients often experience increased self-esteem and reduced social isolation.
• Facilitates Tissue Regeneration: The therapy stimulates cellular activity and tissue healing, which can help in repairing damaged tissues, reducing fibrosis, and promoting overall recovery.
Deep oscillation therapy offers a non-invasive, supportive treatment option that can address many of these issues. By reducing swelling and fibrosis, enhancing mobility, alleviating pain, and promoting skin health, deep oscillation therapy can significantly improve the quality of life for individuals managing this complex condition. It serves as a valuable adjunct in tackling the intricate problems associated with head and neck lymphoedema.
ACCESS DEEP OSCILLATION®
SELF CARE
DEEP OSCILLATION® PERSONAL BASIC
MORE QUESTIONS?
READ MORE TESTIMONIALS IN LYMPHOEDEMA MANAGEMENT
