Long distance travel (over 8 hours) by plane, bus, car or train may increase the risk of developing lymphoedema, or worsen existing lymphoedema. DO Elevate your swollen limb. Perform manual lymphatic drainage, exercises and deep breathing daily. Keep moving! Wear a prescribed compression garment as advised, especially when travelling. You may need to increase your…
Aim To maintain normal skin integrity and suppleness and avoid infection. This is achieved by daily hygiene and by addressing problems such as dry, scaly, cracked or infected skin immediately. Maintaining Good Hygiene Shower daily using pH products such as DermaVeen or QV Body wash (NOT soap!) Scrub skin gently with a body brush. A…
Recommended Activities Keep active and avoid sitting for long periods of time. Start with gentle exercise and gradually work up to more challenging exercise. Avoid strenuous exercise if your body isn’t used to it. 30 minutes of moderate exercise, 5 times per week is recommended. Check your affected limb before and after exercises for these…
The aim of manual lymphatic drainage is to stimulate the lymphatic system and create alternate pathways for the lymph fluid to flow. MLD works on the plasticity of the lymphatic system, that is, the body’s ability to expand and grow more lymphatic branches. The massage is performed with the light touch over specific regions conducted…
WHAT IS THE LYMPHATIC SYSTEM? The blood circulatory system pumps essential blood and nutrients around the body. While most blood is reabsorbed by blood vessels, the remaining fluid, which contains waste products, becomes known as lymph fluid. This fluid is absorbed by the lymphatic vessels and transported to lymph nodes and eventually to the kidneys…
Long distance travel (over 8 hours) by plane, bus, car or train may increase the risk of developing lymphoedema, or worsen existing lymphoedema. It is suggested that you: ✓ Regularly exercise the affected or ‘at risk ✓ Limb by taking breaks and walking around every few hours. ✓ Wear a travel compression garment as recommended…
Neck Pain INJURY AND POSTURAL PROBLEMS ARE THE MAIN CAUSES OF NECK PAIN. PHYSIOTHERAPISTS CAN IDENTIFY THE REASONS FOR YOUR NECK PAIN AND PROVIDE PROVEN EFFECTIVE TREATMENT. WHAT CAUSES NECK PAIN? Your head is heavy and balanced on a narrow support made up of seven bones called vertebrae. The vertebrae are separated from each other…
Headache HEADACHES ARE OFTEN CAUSED BY DISORDERS OF THE NECK OR PHYSICAL AND EMOTIONAL TENSION. PHYSIOTHERAPISTS CAN SUCCESSFULLY TREAT HEADACHES ORIGINATING FROM THE NECK OR SOFT TISSUES AND SHOW YOU HOW TO PREVENT THE PAIN RECURRING. IS YOUR HEADACHE REALLY A NECK ACHE? For many people, headaches start as pain or tension at the top…
Child’s Feet and Legs THE SHAPE OF CHILDREN’S FEET AND LEGS CHANGES DURING INFANCY AND CHILDHOOD. MOST VARIATIONS THAT CAUSE CONCERN, SUCH AS IN-TURNED, OUT-TURNED, OR FLAT FEET ARE NORMAL AND WILL CORRECT SPONTANEOUSLY OVER TIME. PARENTS SHOULD ALWAYS CONSULT A DOCTOR IF CONCERNED AND A PHYSIOTHERAPIST WILL BE ABLE TO PROVIDE EXPERT ADVICE AND…
Child Birth CHANGE TO MUSCLES, LIGAMENTS AND JOINTS DURING AND AFTER PREGNANCY AFFECT THE WHOLE BODY. PHYSIOTHERAPISTS HELP WOMEN MANAGE THESE CHANGES, PROVIDING EXPERT CARE AND ADVICE DURING PREGNANCY, CHILDBIRTH AND BEYOND. CHILDBIRTH PREPARATION CLASSES When preparing for childbirth and parenthood, women and their partners benefit from learning a range of physical techniques and coping…