Thuan Duong: Newly certified Lymphedema Therapist!
I hope this message finds you well and in good spirits for the upcoming holiday season! I have some exciting news to share with all of you. I am officially certified as a Lymphedema Therapist!
You all know my passion for collecting "toys" (skills) and constantly updating our toolbox!.. My love for lymphatic started in 2019 when I stumbled upon a medical journal discussing the wonders of the lymphatic system. Unknowingly, this sparked my continuing education in lymphatic massage. Throughout the years , we have successfully integrated lymphatic massage into our treatments, aiding numerous patients dealing with chronic pain, from Lyme disease to fibromyalgia. After 4 years, I decided to take the plunge and complete my journey to become a certified lymphedema therapist (CLT). CLTs are medical specialists typically composed of physical therapists, occupational therapists, massage therapists, and other medical professionals specializing in treating lymphedema.
This year has been challenging for me, witnessing and learning about people I care about undergoing cancer treatment or being diagnosed with cancer. This has inspired me to pursue becoming a Certified Lymphedema Therapist (CLT). I believe that by acquiring additional tools and knowledge, I can be better equipped to support you all during times of need. Thank you for serving as a constant source of inspiration in my life. You make my journey meaningful, and I am grateful for each one of you.
What is Lymphedema ?
Lymphedema is a swelling of a body part usually occurring in the extremities. It can also occur in the face, neck, abdomen, or genitals. Lymphedema is the result of the abnormal accumulation of protein-rich edema fluid in the affected area. There are three stages of the condition, and at our clinic, we mainly focus on prevention and early care and treatment. I often see patients at stage one and early stage two which are either caused by injury, surgery, cancer, medication, medical complication, venous insufficiency or unknown causes and congenital ( born with the genetic factor to make you prone with lymphedema .
Venous health is a big topic as we are getting older due to the nature of aging or caused by other medical conditions. While we can't stop aging, we can age well, and fortunately, it's manageable with Complete Decongestive Therapy (CDT), a treatment performed exclusively by CLTs.
What is CDT?
CDT is a treatment plan that can only be prescribed by CLT - It includes manual lymphatic drainage, compression bandaging, prescribed customized or non-customized medical-grade compression garments, exercise, and skincare.
Now, the big question: How will this change our practice and services?
Since I am now CLT, my scope of practice is expanding, allowing us to address a wider range of lymphedema-related issues. I can work on a wider range of problems and populations that cannot oftenly be addressed with lymphatic massage and other massage therapists that are not CLT. We now possess more tools for preventative care, which can be crucial for post-surgery treatments, aiding in cancer treatment. Most importantly it can help to prevent lymphedema as a side effect. Additionally, we have direct access to medical-grade compression garments that can be prescribed by CLT or MD. Not even mentioned, I can now help customize compression garments to fit everyone's unique body type and specific medical problems . This is fantastic news for everyone, from athletes seeking recovery assistance to individuals with sedentary lifestyles. Remember, preventative care is easier than treatment!
Who can benefit from this?
Everyone! The lymphatic system is our suite system, a vital part of our immune system that aids in recovery, prevents illness, and controls systemic inflammation. It also has a significant impact on our vascular system. Maintaining a healthy lymphatic system can prevent exaggeration of venous insufficiency, averting a host of potential problems.