We want to congratulate our PT Jessi on her recent passing of the Lymphedema Certification Course through Klose Training. Jessi is our fifth therapist to have gone through a rigorous lymphatic training course on Complete Decongestive Therapy (CDT).
CDT is the most effective treatment to treat those with lymphatic disorders, according to Klose Training. Lymphedema can be either congenital (present from birth) or can be the result of damage to the lymphatic system.
Complete Decongestive Therapy contains four important steps:
1. The first step in reducing a limb with CDT is Manual Lymphatic Drainage, or MLD for short. This is a type of “massage” that helps redirect lymph fluid back into healthy lymph vessels.
2. The second step is compression therapy, which can involve a series of appointments. The therapist does a unique bandaging technique onto the effected limb, with the pressure to help keep the fluid from re-accumulating where it once was before.
3. The third step involved in CDT is exercise. A few exercises may be given to the patient to do after the bandages are on (such as ankle pumps) to help with the movement and circulation of lymph fluids.
4. The last step, and perhaps most important, is skin care. In order to keep the affected limb from having any fungal or bacterial growth, it is important to keep the affected limb very clean to prevent a skin infection, such as cellulitis.
Using a combination of Complete Decongestive Therapy and some sort of compression garment/device to help keep swelling down is important for long-term success to prevent re-swelling.
