Treatment can help anyone. The condition's severity and how early it is recognized determine how effective treatment will be. Some people experience as much as an 80 percent reduction in swelling by participating in lymphedema therapy. Treatment involves four components:
- Education about good limb health to prevent an increase in swelling and risk of infection.
- Lymph drainage massage to decongest affected areas. This is done by the therapist but taught to the patient or family for the home maintenance phase.
- Bandaging and compression using low-stretch compression bandages to help reduce edema. At the end of the course of treatment, a ready-made or custom garment is ordered.
- Exercise to promote lymph drainage.
Initial treatment usually takes 1.5 to 2 hours. Subsequent treatments may take 1.5 hours and may be scheduled 3-5 times weekly for 2-4 weeks. The frequency of treatment varies according to the severity of the lymphedema. (Providence House, our guest housing, may be available to you if you're coming to Providence from out of town.) During this time, a specially trained therapist teaches you self-care skills including skin care, massage, bandaging, and exercise. Early treatment increases the likelihood of better results. It also makes a home maintenance program easier to manage.
Is treatment covered by insurance?
Lymphedema therapy is being covered more often by insurance companies. The key is to have proper documentation by a lymphedema therapist. Our therapists will document your treatment process so you have the paperwork you need to substantiate a medical claim. We're happy to help you do this. This information is also sent to your physician so we can keep him/her informed of your treatment progress.
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