Effective Oedema Reduction and Burn Scar Healing with Deep Oscillation Therapy by The Alexandra Clinic

Susan Oliver and her client were delighted with the results after just three Deep Oscillation sessions.

Susan Oliver LCSP (Phys) MBLS MLDUK MLD DLT Vodder Lymphoedema and ScarWork Therapist

"My journey with Deep Oscillation Therapy began as late as 2018. I have been a certified Lymphoedema Practitioner for 16 years and it was a colleague’s constant appraisal of the Hivamat 200 device (Deep Oscillation Therapy - DOT) and the amazing results she was achieving with her Lymphoedema patients, that I finally conceded and purchased my own unit. I felt confident in the knowledge that it was clinically backed in Lymphoedema treatment and management and in many other fields of application including burns.

In the UK, Deep Oscillation is used at The Burns Outreach Centre in the Welsh Centre for Burns and within The Birmingham Women's and Children's Hospital occupational therapy unit for burn management. It is also used by many NHS Lymphoedema Services and by private MLD DLT Lymphoedema Practitioners and more recently by Scar Therapists since it was taken on in Harley Street by Scarwork Tutor Emma Holly (<< watch youtube feedback).

As my practice has evolved, so has my use of DOT. Primarily to treat Lymphoedema, I now use DOT most days in my clinic. It can be used as a standalone therapy or as a multidisciplinary approach.

One of my patients is so happy with the results after being treated with DOT, she has given me her consent to share her case with you.

Background

In March 2021, Mrs X sustained a third-degree burn to her upper thigh and genitalia after a hot water bottle being used to ease pain in her lower abdomen burst. A third-degree burn is also referred to as a full thickness burn, which destroy the epidermis, the dermis and the hypodermis.

Surgical treatment involved a full-thickness skin graft (FTSG) which involves the epidermis and the entire dermis as well being transplanted from a healthy donor site which allows for most of the characteristics of the grafted skin to be preserved in the process.

Clinical Presentation

The first appointment with Mrs X was in September 2021. Mrs X was not experiencing any pain from the burn sight, which is often the case with third-degree burns, because of the destruction of nerve endings. However, there was oedema present on the whole of the thigh extending down to the knee, with smaller pockets of oedema between the scars.

Mrs X's scar was hypertrophic, it was thick, raised and ropy in texture. This is an abnormal response to wound healing which more commonly occurs in taut skin areas following skin trauma, burns or surgical incisions. Treatments traditionally include medication, freezing, injections, lasers and surgery.

The second wound sight, from where the graft was taken presented no concern.

Initial Treatment Protocol

This was based on a multidisciplinary approach. Compression garments were already in place, so the next stage was to see if we could reduce the oedema with DOT. We commenced with weekly treatments using the Hivamat 200 (Deep Oscillation) combined with Vodder MLD (manual lymphatic drainage).

We used MLD to open up the pathways to help drain away from the possibly compromised inguinal nodes and then continued with DOT.

*Treatment 1. MLD. Hivamat @150 Hz x 20 mins. (whole thigh). Hivamat 80 Hz x 5 mins on the scar

*Treatment 2. MLD. Hivamat @150 Hz x 20 mins. (whole thigh). Hivamat 150 Hz x 5 mins on the scar

*Treatment 3. MLD. Hivamat @150 Hz x 20 mins. (whole thigh). Hivamat 150 Hz x 5 mins on the scar

Results

As you can see from the images the results were amazing. After just three treatments the oedema was greatly reduced, the scar flatter and the colour beginning to change.

Mrs X continues to attend for treatments, where we now use a combination of ScarWork therapy, Deep Oscillation, soft tissue therapy and skin care. She is very happy with her progress and my Hivamat is fondly thought off as “that little box of magic”……….Indeed it is!"

6th January 2022

MORE ABOUT DEEP OSCILLATION®..

DEEP OSCILLATION® is a unique, non-invasive and non-traumatic therapy method with strong pain-reducing potential.

DEEP OSCILLATION® is an internationally patented, proven technology based on the effects of creating an electrostatic field in the tissue of the patient. Easy application is from therapist to client via hygienic, vinyl gloved hands; utilizing all normal massage movements or via circular movements over the tissue with a handheld applicator. The handheld applicator also enables self-treatment.

The special structure of DEEP OSCILLATION® allows the creation of biologically effective oscillations in the treated tissue using electrostatic attraction and friction. In contrast to other therapies, these pleasant oscillations have a gentle and deep-acting effect on all tissue components to an 8 cm depth (through skin, connective tissue, subcutaneous fat, muscles, blood and lymph vessels.

Because of the non-invasive, non-traumatic, gentle nature of this therapy, very early possibilities of application are possible following injury and from Day One post operatively. Chronic conditions can also be worked upon with effective results.

The following physiological effects of DEEP OSCILLATION® are clinically proven:

Highly effective in reducing pain
Anti-inflammatory
Effective in reabsorbing oedema (swelling)
Encouraging wounds to heal
Fibrosis Reduction
Improving trophicity
Rubor reduction (haematoma/bruising)
Detoxification
Improving quality of tissue

Learn more about DEEP OSCILLATION® biological and clinical effects

DEEP OSCILLATION IS NOT...

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