We believe in a multidisciplinary approach. We recognize that a patient does not have isolated problems, or symptoms, it is has associated symptoms that are sometimes ignored or neglected because it is irrelevant to that particular medical practitioner. Each of our team members are trained in more than one modality or discipline of work so that we can offer a comprehensive an approach to the whole person not the symptom. For modality that we do not have in house, we cross refer them to our trusted medical associates.
Imagine when a person falls to the ground, we reach out our hand, the other will also need to reach out, when we pull, the other will need to pull with equal opposing force. This is what we believe in both the patient and ourselves, working in concerted efforts to bring about a better state of health, to restore your lifestyle and well being.
Case scenario--- a breast cancer patient in her 40s had a mastectomy of the left breast, after a fall had developed arm lymphoedema a year after the mastectomy. This leaves her in constant pain of the arm and sleepless nights. Her days are filled with anxiety and frustrations. |
Treatment Plan
- During the initial consultation we discovered that she had trauma and noting the doctors evaluations that she is stable, we treated her lymphoedema with Vodder Manual Lymph Drainage (MLD) technique and used Combined Decongestion Therapy (CDT) bandaging to enforce the size reduction. In tandem, we used Aromatherapy on the patient for local pain relief, cellulitis infection control, emotional stress and insomnia treatment.
- This reduces the weight of the lymphoedema arm which also reduces the stress on that shoulder that is in pain.
- We offer local pressure point massage passive exercises, where the patient will need to follow up at home with daily self massage and exercise for maintenance.
- We fit the patient with compression garment to maintain the arm and allow the patient flexibility and movement to continue with her daily life.
- We recommended her in the meantime to our associate who is a TCM oncology expert for herbal supplementation and acupuncture for pain relief.
- When the patient shows improvement and has reached a plateau stage, we see her on a lower frequency and advise her to join a regular Tai Chi or Qi Gong class.
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The lymphatic system is a part of our body that is without hurry, speed or great force under normal conditions. It has no heart to push the fluids along as does the blood system. It has very few muscles in the walls of its vessels and the vessels themselves are very fine and delicate. The larger lymph vessels pulsate but they do so very slowly averaging about 6 beats per minute. They rely on variations in pressure of the tissues (brought about by general activitiy) to move the lymph from the tissues into these vessels.
They contract for about 1 second and then relax for about 9 seconds, gently pumpimg the lymph along them, usually at a very low pressure.
It is important that the treatment acknowledges this slow gentle movement of the lymphatics. Too often the therapies may be too aggressive. Conducted at what we would call a 'vascular' pace that is too hard, too rapid, and too aggressive. These therapies may not be good for the lymphatics or the tissues they drain fluids from.
Treating a lymphatic problem has many similarities with Tai Chi, that ancient art of body control, the motions of which must be controlled, continuous but directed.
Lymphostimulatory and Lymphogeneic treatment regimens, self help programs will show you how to help your lymphatic system to work better. Our aim is to restore some of the structural and functional capabilities of a lymphatic system that is failing or has failed. |
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Treatment 