Lymphoedema Clinic | Fitzroy North

What is a Lymphoedema

Lymphoedema is a chronic condition characterised by chronic swelling in one or more limbs. It most often affects arms and or legs, but it can also developed along other body area, including face, genital and chest. The swelling is due to a malfunctioning lymphatic system, which is a body system that takes care of exceed liquid and external body substances, such as bacteria, viruses, long fatty chain acids, dust and extra proteins.

Book now your Lymphoedema Management at Melbourne Massage and Treatment Lymphoedema clinic.

Lymphoedema can be defined as primary or secondary.

Primary Lymphoedema is a congenital condition, which means the person was born with an impaired lymphatic system, leaving the person with severe swelling that starts distally and moves proximally (from the distant part of the limb moves closer to the centre of the body).

Secondary Lymphoedema refers to any lymphoedema that develops post-external damaging stimulus, such as cancer surgery (most often post-lymph nodes removal), joint replacement, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, severe skin infection or severe physical trauma. Along with those incidents, the lymphatic system can get severely damaged and stop functioning.

On the other hand, any oedema that lasts longer than 12 months can be classified as Lymphoedema.

Lymphoedema management

Currently there is not a cure for Lymphoedema, but it can be managed through out specific care and treatment plan. Along the treatment modalities used for managed this presentation we have Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD), Combine Decongestive Therapy (CDT), compression therapy, movement and exercises, skincare and anti-inflammatory diet.

• MLD is non-invasive manual therapy that aims to boost the lymphatic system, and allows to move the liquid that is stagnating in the affected area. Where, CDT is the application of bandages to the affected area to maintain pressure and get the liquid keep moving post MLD therapy.
• Anti-inflammatory diet allows to reduce the load placed on your immune systema and lymphatic system for taking care of extra inflammation given by certain types of food.
• Any movement is better than no movement. Muscle contraction allows to boost the work of the lymphatic system, helping to reduce or maintain the swelling at ease.
• Compression therapy refers to the usage of on measurements garments that can maintain the area affected under pressure and control.
• Skin care is essential to avoid infection and degeneration of the lymphoedema and development of cellulitis. Keeping the skin clean and moisturise can reduce the chance of cuts and infections.

Melbourne Massage and Treatment – Lymphoedema Clinic

Melbourne Massage and Treatment is a Lymphoedema Clinic at Fitzroy North Doctors at 1/175 Holden Street, Fitzroy North. Giovanni is the therapist who runs the clinic, and on top of being a lymphoedema therapist, he holds a bachelor’s degree in health science clinical Myotherapy.

If you need treatment for Lymphoedema or know someone who can benefit from these services, contact Giovanni now or book a free 15-minute online consultation for Lymphoedema management.

What to Expect in a Lymphoedema Treatment Session?

Giovanni likes to take care of his patients by providing tailored treatment plans.

First visit – 90 minutes $175

✔️ Going through the clinical history;
✔️ Taking measurements of the area affected;
✔️ Mapping how the lymphatic liquid can be moved away from the affected area;
✔️ Hands-on treatment (MLD)

The first session would hardly involve any bandaging, due to time restrictions and because Giovanni wants to ensure you understand what this protocol requires.

Follow-up appointment – 60 minutes $135

Follow up appointment are highly recommended in a proximity, like every 24 to 48 hours. Proximity of the appointment does guarantee best results for lymphoedema management.

✔️ Feedback on the previous treatment and going ahead with MLD and CDT treatment.

✔️ CDT is the application of bandaging that would stay on you for all day.
✔️ You will remove them before taking a shower, wash them and come back to the clinic with the bandaging washed and rolled.

This would allow Giovanni to have more time to work on your presentation, rather than roll the bandages.

Private health, NDIS and lymphoedema rebates

Lymphoedema management is covered by a private health insurance plan that covers services like Remedial Massage and Myotherapy. Furthermore, Giovanni is an unregistered NDIS provider, so that he can offer rebates for self-managed and plan-managed NDIS patients. The rebate value is based on the agreement between you and

Skin care for Lymphoedema

When living with lymphoedema skin care is extremely important, to avoid degeneration of the presentation and for keeping risk of infections low.

At Fitzroy North Doctors, our nurses, can help with wound care, and where is needed they can assist you in keeping any wound clean and protected.

Do not hesitate to ask our staff how they can assist you.

Book now your Lymphoedema Management at Melbourne Massage and Treatment Lymphoedema clinic.