Lymphedema & Foot Care

Lymphedema Therapy

What is Lymphedema?

Lymphedema is a chronic condition causing swelling, usually of an arm or leg but can affect any part of the body.

There are two types of lymphedema:
Primary lymphedema, people who are born with this condition Secondary lymphedema is caused by trauma to the lymphatic system. The most common cause of secondary lymphedema is surgical removal of lymph nodes usually related to a diagnosis of cancer and use of radiation.

Treatment for lymphedema

The most widely recognized treatment for lymphedema is Combined Decongestive Therapy (CDT).
Combined decongestive therapy consists of:

* Shin Care
* Exercise
* Manual Lymph Drainage
* Compression Bandaging or Garments

Choosing a therapist?

Look for a therapist that has completed a minimum of 135 hours of CDT training. Current unrestricted registration as a health care professional such as RN, OT, CTA, PT, PTA, MD, DO, DC, or Registered Massage Therapist.

Manual Lymph Drainage

What is Manual Lymph Drainage?

• Manual Lymph Drainage (MLD) is a safe, effective, gentle massage that aids in cleansing the body's tissues. MLD drains excess fluid from the tissues and also has a detoxifying effect.

• MLD is widely prescribed by physicians in Europe and many physicians in the United States and Canada also recognize the benefits of MLD for their patients.

Benefits of Manual Lymph Drainage

• MLD helps to minimize scar formation

• MLD removes metabolic wastes, excess water, toxins bacteria, large protein molecules and foreign substances from the tissues.

• MLD, through its gentle rhythmic precise hand movements, alleviates pain by greatly reducing the pain signals sent to the brain.

• MLD relaxes the sympathetic nervous system, thus helping to relieve stress.

• MLD supports and enhances the action of the immune system.

• MLD helps the body to heal more quickly from injuries, surgical trauma, chronic conditions and edema

Foot Care

• General health review

• Review medications

• Assess the condition of the feet and lower extremity

• Provide treatment for nails, corns, calloused, and skin

• Temporary padding and strapping as required

• Footwear advice

• Education for those with diabetes and circulatory problems

• Referral for further medical or podiatric care

Donna Lue Reise RN, MLD Manual Lymphatic Drainage Therapist
Donna is a registered nurse, trained in advanced and diabetic foot care. She is certified with the Dr. Vodder School of North America in Manual Lymph Drainage and Lymphedema Therapy (1999) and is certified in compression garment fitting.

Donna is a member of the College of Nurses of Ontario, the Registered Nurses Association of Ontario, Ontario Nurses in Independent Practice, the Lymphovenous Association of Ontario, and is an additional author and therapist for the DELTA Study, Juravinski Cancer Centre, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.

Foot Care is offered the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Lymphedema Therapy by appointment. Call for more information.

Tel: 905-385-3176
Fax: 905-383-0086

email: donnalue.reise@talspar.ca