Regina Dengler reports patient feedback of treatment with DEEP OSCILLATION® for painful breast oedema following breast cancer treatment
Naomi was diagnosed with lobular breast cancer in December 2012 and had a lumpectomy in January 2013. As the cancer had spread to her lymph nodes she had 6 sessions of FEC-T chemotherapy, followed by removal of the lymph nodes and a course of radiotherapy. Her breast remained swollen throughout the year but it was after radiotherapy that she started to experience the oedema at its worst. ..
Read on Press Release Point 13.11.2014
"My breast was just so swollen. It felt twice the size of the other breast and was hard, painful and heavy. When I walked it kind of sloshed! I had a lot of scarring from surgery and the lymph fluid didn't drain away. The advice I was given was that it could take a couple of years to settle down and they offered me no further help. They seemed to be geared up for arm lymphoedema but not breast oedema. There was no service for this at the clinic and no suggestion that I should be referred on anywhere. I was in so much pain and discomfort I honestly felt that I couldn't live like that. I kept saying that I was going to have a double mastectomy. I started doing research and found that leaving lymphoedema untreated is the worst thing you can do and that this can lead to further complications. I found Regina's website and emailed her in the middle of the night when I felt like I was going mad with the discomfort and pain. I arranged an appointment and didn't know what to expect.
Regina immediately put me at my ease, especially given the sensitive nature of the area she was going to treat. After the first treatment I found relief from the pain and discomfort and my breast no longer felt hard and heavy. The treatment itself was very relaxing and Regina was very thoughtful, caring and encouraging. In fact she was an absolute delight as a person - very warm, respectful and so knowledgeable but also someone with a lovely sense of personality and humour. I immediately felt I was in very safe hands. Regina really knows her stuff. She tried various different treatments and I found the deep oscillation massage and kinesio taping was most effective in treating the oedema.
For me Regina has been a life saver. My quality of life had become very poor following breast cancer with all the post surgery complications and the long term side effects of cancer treatments. I had a particularly difficult time of both surgery and chemotherapy and I had become very weak. I had very little movement in my shoulders and I couldn't straighten my arms. I had had cording with each surgery and the NHS had only been able to offer me one post surgery appointment with the physio. Regina used gentle massage to help me regain mobility and movement and I now have a good range of movement in my arm and shoulder.
One week I had a bad back and as I have osteoporosis with severe risk of fracture most osteopaths and physiotherapists were loath to treat me. Regina saw that I was in pain and thanks to the massage she gave I gained much more mobility and was out of pain by the end of the session. Regina makes you feel completely confident in her ability and you just know you are in safe hands.
If you are struggling with lymphoedema of any kind or are having any problems post surgery or any mobility difficulties or need any of the treatments that Regina offers, I can wholeheartedly recommend her. She is warm, caring, thoughtful, encouraging and clearly has a great deal of knowledge and expertise. It is thanks to Regina that I am no longer in constant pain and I feel confident that with Regina's help I can manage the debilitating and under recognised condition that is lymphoedema."
What is DEEP OSCILLATION and is it proven to help Lymphoedema?
DEEP OSCILLATION® is a patented electromechanical therapeutic procedure using resonant vibration of the tissue with DEEP OSCILLATION® equipment from Physiomed, Germany. A special design makes it possible, using electrostatic attraction and friction, "to produce mechanical vibrations in treated tissues of the body, not only at the skin on the surface but also in deeper tissues" (Brenke and Siems 1996). Schönfelder and Berg (1991) refer to a "penetrating vibration and pumping effect deep into the tissue". The frequency can be varied in the range from 5-250 Hz. The treatment applicator and the patient are connected to the equipment (voltage source). A vinyl film between the applicator and the patient functions as a dielectric. This results in a weakly conducting capacitative layer between the contact surfaces. In action, pulsed electrostatic attractions draw the tissue to the applicator and release it at the rhythm of the chosen frequency. The therapist sets the pressure gradient, speed and direction of the movements. The patient can treat himself if appropriate. The treatment procedure is characterised by minimal external mechanical effects, which allows it to be used in cases of acute pain, fresh injuries and in treatment of wounds. Numerous pilot studies have demonstrated pain reduction, minimisation of oedema and anti-fibrotic effects. It is commonly used for the treatment of Lymphoedema (Jahr, S., Schoppe, B. and Reißhauer A. (2008) Effect of treatment with low intensity and extremely low frequency electrostatic fields (Deep Oscillation®) on breast tissue and pain in patients with secondary breast lymphoedema. J. Rehabil. Med. 40, 645-650). For other study references see section References above)
What is Lymphoedema?
Lymphoedema occurs when the lymphatic system does not work properly. This results in the long-term swelling of part or parts of the body. It can can be classified as Primary or Secondary, depending on the cause. It may be present at birth, develop at puberty or in mid-life. Secondary lymphoedema may occur following treatment for cancer, surgery, radiation therapy, recurrent infections or trauma.
What happens in the body when Lymphoedema is present?
When the lymph nodes or vessels are blocked the lymph fluid is unable to pass through them, the extra tissue fluid cannot then drain away normally and it builds up. This causes (oedema). Although not reversible, (because the causes cannot be reversed) an early diagnosis is very helpful for managing its progression.
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 sufferers can be read at the Macmillan website, LSN, 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).
Skin care and exercises.
