PhysioPod® UK Interviews Jane Wigg: A Year of Pioneering Change
PhysioPod® sits down with Jane Wigg following a “busy, busy, busy” year. Driven by the philosophy “Change is hard, but change we must!”, her organisation trained over 400 students and presented in eight countries. This conversation explores academic validation, cutting-edge research, and her goal that “People living with lymphatic conditions deserve better.”
I. Vision, Scale, and Core Philosophy
PhysioPod®: Can you describe the scale of your organisation's educational output and global reach this past year, and what core philosophy has driven that activity?
Jane Wigg: The year has been "busy, busy, busy". In terms of educational output, we’ve trained over 150 new therapists and 250 returning students across different training courses. Our global reach expanded significantly as we delivered numerous lectures on various subjects and presented at conferences in eight countries. The driving philosophy behind all this activity has been ‘Change’. Our focus is on developing new treatment protocols for lymphoedema and advancing them based on evidence. We’ve been initiating this drive for years, but the prominent tagline I’ve been using all year is “Change is hard, but change we must! ”
PhysioPod®: Advocating for change can be challenging. Which major world organisations have demonstrated that they are receptive and ready to hear this message?
Jane Wigg: We are incredibly grateful that major world leaders and organisations are prepared for this message. This includes the International Society of Lymphology, the National Lymphedema Network (USA), the International Lymphoedema Framework, the World Lipoedema Alliance, and the Ellie Lyndsey Leg Club.
PhysioPod®: Your presentations covered a wide range of subjects. Can you highlight some of the key, evidence-based topics you presented globally that focus on implementing these new protocols?
Jane Wigg: We presented on several evidence-based topics, including ‘Implementing new CDT/DLT treatment protocols for greater success’. We also discussed ‘Manual lymphatic drainage: it’s time for change: what a decade of ICG imaging has taught us’. Additionally, we delivered a lecture on ‘the use of medical Ozone demonstrating improvement in secondary lymphoedema’.
II. Academic Milestones and Specialist Training
PhysioPod®: Your organisation has established some significant collaborations this year, including specialised scar training. What unique expertise is Hannah Poulson bringing to this training for your therapists?
Jane Wigg: We recently delivered a two-day scar training in collaboration with Hannah Poulson of HLP Therapies. Hannah is an expert and is currently partway through her PhD on the analysis of scars with ultrasound. We were delighted to involve her, and eight patients attended during the training so students could gain practical experience.
PhysioPod®: You have developed new courses to expand support for manual therapists. Can you explain the purpose of the new 'Foundation Training' and what specialised areas the new 'Post-Surgery' course covers?
Jane Wigg: Our commitment is to support manual therapists with their MLD training. We developed the ‘Introduction to Manual Lymphatic Drainage: Foundation Training’ specifically to bridge the gap for Level 3 manual therapists who do not hold a full diploma. Furthermore, we are excited to deliver the ‘Manual Lymphatic Drainage for Post-Surgery’ training, a follow-on course that covers MLD for trauma, orthopaedic, and oncological surgeries, in addition to cosmetic procedures. This four-day course is supported by medics and surgeons, ensuring we deliver current and evidence-based information.
PhysioPod®: A major achievement this year was formal academic recognition for your training. What is the significance of the new validation you achieved?
Jane Wigg: Achieving validation through Birmingham City University was a major achievement that took a few years in planning and development. This validation means our training now forms part of a degree or master's degree (Levels 6 and 7), or it can be taken as a standalone course.
III. Lipoedema Challenges and Future Leadership
PhysioPod®: You noted that research in lipoedema is rapidly expanding in many directions. What challenge does this pose for educators, and how are you ensuring your organisation stays grounded in the best available evidence?
Jane Wigg: There is so much happening, so much new information, and research in so many directions in lipoedema, making it too much to cover in an existing course. The challenge is focusing on the right direction, as I am highly aware that if I lead down an incorrect path, we could establish a lasting misconception in the UK for the next decade. Fortunately, I have been elected onto the board of directors of the World Lipedema Alliance (WLA). This role ensures that I will be "in the know" and can "lead by example from the best in the world".
PhysioPod®: Your lipoedema training recently became award-winning. Can you share the key takeaway from the survey work presented by Stacy at the British Lymphology Society?
Jane Wigg: Yes, our lipoedema skills and knowledge training is now award-winning, with Stacy winning the best novice poster from the British Lymphology Society (BLS). This poster was based on a survey of students who attended our ‘specialist Lipoedema Management training’. The work demonstrated that learning has continued beyond the completion of the training.
IV. Clinical Practice and Final Thoughts
PhysioPod®: Beyond education, you mentioned you still operate as a clinic. How does maintaining active clinical practice inform your educational curriculum?
Jane Wigg: We see, assess, and treat people with lymphoedema, lipoedema, and related conditions. This active practice allows us to keep learning, developing, training, and sharing our knowledge. If people are looking for expert diagnosis or treatment suggestions, they can reach out via www.lymphvision.com.
PhysioPod®: In closing, what is the ultimate motivation that drives all your organisation's efforts?
Jane Wigg: The bottom line remains: ‘People living with lymphatic conditions deserve better.’ We continue to focus on learning, developing, training, and sharing our knowledge to achieve that.
Jane Wigg RGN, MSc, Lymphoedema Clinical Expert
