Lymphoedema Assessment & Treatment

Assessment

Any treatment programme starts with an individual assessment. This is usually a series of questions about your general health and includes questions which are specific to your particular needs.

Then one or sometimes two therapists will measure your affected and your non-affected limbs. This gives you an accurate measurement of how affected you are.

It is sometimes useful at this stage to take photographs of your affected areas – this will only be done with your express permission and copies will not be held on any computer. You will be provided with a copy for your own records.

A full assessment can take anywhere between one to two hours.

Treatment

The treatment of lymphoedema falls roughly into two categories:- Phase One which is an intensive treatment period for reduction of the swollen area and Phase Two which is a maintenance phase intended to keep the area as reduced as possible after the intensive Phase One.

Both phases follow the four cornerstones of Lymphoedema treatment as described in the Macmillan Report on lymphoedema Treatment in 1984. Skincare; Exercises; bandaging (or compression) and Manual Lymph Drainage. (MLD)

Phase One: Is an intensive period of MLD and Bandaging. Daily sessions for 2 to 4 weeks depending on the circumstances. Exercises and skincare are an integral part of this phase.

Phase Two: Once the situation has been improved in Phase One a maintenance programme must be instigated. This phase will be different from person to person and can be anything from once weekly to once monthly appointments of MLD with compression garments to supply the compression required.

It is important to understand that all lymphoedema treatment regime's must be individually prescribed. No two are the same!

Anne Schreiber

Clinical Director and owner of the London Road Clinic has worked with lymphoedema and other physiotherapy patients for over 15 years. She has run her private practice in Dorset for the past 12 years and was the Senior therapist for An Arm & A Leg Ltd. – an inpatient lymphoedema service. She has been called as an Independent Witness for her expertise in oedema. Her thorough knowledge of the condition and its difficulties inspired her to found the London Road Clinic. Anne is also acting as the current secretary for MLD UK and has been partaking in ongoing research within the United Kingdom and on the continent.

Anne has put together a team of Lymphoedema Specialists, Lymphoedema Nurses, Physiotherapists, a Chiropodist, a Psychologist and others to enable patients to have access to all of these specialties under one roof.

The London Road Clinic is happy to accept NHS and Private referrals to any of the specialists. NHS referrals must be PCT approved for payments.

Dee Jones

• Senior MLD Teacher, Vodder Method acting as a consultant for the London Road Clinic.
• She has worked with several lymphoedema clinics in London including research work at the Royal Marsden Hospital.
• She works with Professor Peter Mortimer on a regular basis.
• She teaches MLD and lymphoedema bandaging to massage therapists, nurses, physios and doctors and lectures on a regular basis.
• She has been an Independent Witness as a Lymphoedema Specialist on several occasions and sees patients privately in London and Lymington

Mulu Thomson

• RGN. HV. ESIPF. APNT.
• Mulu trained as a registered nurse in the 1970's, followed by Midwifery and Health Visitor training. After 18 years of working as an RGN – including a stint in Australia – she trained in a variety of Beauty Therapy treatments including massage, aromatherapy and Manual Lymph Drainage (Vodder) running her own salon in London for 10 years.
• Mulu brings a unique combination of her training and experience to the London Road Clinic.

Michelle Edwards

• Michelle is the Clinic Manager at The London Road Clinic and is a fully qualified therapist.
• She is trained in Vodder Manual Lymphatic Drainage and Decongestive Lymphatic Therapy, Kinesio Taping, ITEC – Holistic Massage, Reflexology and Indian Head Massage and VTCT – Thermal Auricular Therapy.
• Through the role of Clinic Manager and working aside the team of MLD Specialist she developed her interest in Lymphoedema and decided to continue her training under Dee Jones in the Vodder method.
• Michelle assists with the management of the in-patient treatment programmes and has gained invaluable experience in bandaging and Lymphoedema management.
• Michelle continues developing her professional training, in being active within MLDUK and participating in further study days.

Lee Thornhill

• Lee is a fully qualified Manual Lymphatic Drainage Therapist who trained with MLD Training (Dee Jones).
• She is also trained through ITEC in Holistic Massage and Indian Head Massage including Shirodhara Massage.
• Lee is passionate about the benefits of massage and increase awareness of the universal language of touch and to spread the word about the numerous benefits of massage to mind and body.