Lymphedema treatment in Tampa Bay - Healthy Being Wellness Center is dedicated to promoting health and well-being with lymphatic therapy and products.

We are specialized health care providers offering lymphedema treatment in the Tampa Bay, St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Largo, Dunedin, Brandon, Bradenton and Sarasota. We service 4 counties: Pinellas, Hillsborough, Manatee and Pasco.

We are a private lymphatic therapy practice specializing in the treatment of lymphedema, chronic swelling, post surgical swelling and breast cancer rehabilitation. We are a dedicated team of Massage Therapists and Naturopaths and Estheticians all certified in the Dr. Vodder method of Manual Lymphatic Drainage Therapy. We are trained on the Lymph Star Pro an electro lymphatic drainage tool that provides 8-10 times more effective treatments and results. In looking at the “whole person”, we provide opportunities for successful outcomes and empower the individual by giving them tools to manage their condition over their lifetime.

What is Lymphedema?

Swelling has long been a concern for physicians and their patients, whether the swelling is due to cancer surgery, orthopedic surgery, trauma, sports injuries, diabetes, venous stasis ulcers, radiation, chronic venous insufficiency or plastic/reconstructive surgery.

Lymphedema (chronic swelling) occurs when an interruption of lymphatic flow results in the accumulation of lymphatic fluid causing abnormal swelling in the arms, legs, feet, breast, abdomen, neck or head. When lymphatic vessels are impaired, missing or when lymph nodes are removed, the remaining lymph pathways become congested or blocked. These fluids (waste products) can build up in the connective tissues and becomes thicker and the affected areas feel heavy. This thickening of lymphatic fluid is called fibrosis (hardening of the skin and underlying tissue).

Types of Lymphedema:

PRIMARY LYMPHEDEMA

Swelling in one or more limbs can be present at birth, develop at the onset of puberty (Lymphedema Praecox) or in adulthood usually after the age of 35 (Lymphedema Tarda), all from unknown causes, or associated with vascular anomolies such as hemangioma, lymphangioma, Port Wine Stain, Turner’s syndrome, Noonan’s syndrome, Klippel-Trenaunay-Weber syndrome and many others.

SECONDARY LYMPHEDEMA

Secondary lymphedema, or acquired lymphedema, can develop as a result of any radiation, surgery, infection or trauma. Surgery for breast, gynecological, head and neck, prostate, testicular, bladder, colon, lung cancer or melanoma, all of which currently require removal of lymph nodes, put patients at risk of developing secondary lymphedema. If lymph nodes are removed, there is always a risk of developing lymphedema. Even with a sentinel lymph node biopsy, patients are still at risk.

Secondary lymphedema can develop immediately after surgery, weeks, months, or even years later. It can also develop if chemotherapy is injected to the already affected area (the side on which the surgery was performed) or after repeated aspirations of a seroma (a pocket of fluid which may occur after surgery) in the axilla, around the breast incision, or groin area. This often causes infection and may subsequently cause lymphedema.

Benefits our Clients Experience from Our Specialized Lymphatic Therapy Protocols:

• Reduced swelling
• Improved healing of wounds, including post-surgical scars
• Alleviation of pain and promotion of relaxation
  
• Reduction of join pain
• De-Congestion of lymphatic system
• Cleansed lymphatic system
• Detoxification of harmful toxins (pesticides, radiation, bacteria, virus, etc)
• Improved immunity
• Reduction in the incidence of cellulitis and other infections
  
• Enhanced ability to engage in activities that clients might now have been able to do before therapy
• Boosted energy levels and heightened capacity for healing
  
• Education and insight about the workings of their body and an enhanced connection and awareness of their own health & wellness

At Healthy Being Wellness Center, your Lymphatic Therapist uses a unique combination of lymphatic drainage techniques. Traditionally, the Lymph Drainage Therapy is made up of slow, gentle, rhythmic movements, mimicking the pumping of lymphatic fluid through the body. Our Comprehensive Decongestive Therapy (CDT) utilizes a tool that emits a frequency or sound therapy that creates a pumping action that enhances lymphatic flow. The glass wands of our tool is the only part of the system that touches the body. This is a gentle and non-invasive treatment that offers a great sense of relaxation often resulting in a gentle nap during the treatment process. The goal of CDT is to decongest trapped proteins and congestion within the lymph system, allowing waste products and toxins to slowly and safely flow out through healthy lymph vessels. Additionally, compression bandaging (wrapping the affected area with short stretch bandages to increase drainage and prevent fluid from refilling), skin care, therapeutic exercises and compression stockings/ sleeves work together to improve the flow of lymphatic fluid and maintain the reduction of swelling.

How it works?

If you are diagnosed with lymphedema, there is effective treatment to reduce the swelling, prevent it from getting worse, and limit the risk of infection. At Healthy Being Wellness Center we use Electro Lymphatic Drainage (ELD) and Combined Decongestive Therapy (CDT). CDT includes ELD, kinesio taping, skin care and exercises. The concept of CDT is to maximize central lymphatic drainage since the Lymphatic System is the beginning and end of all diseases.

The benefits are increased by the number of sessions you receive, and is both preventive and restorative as it enhances the body’s natural immune system. Most patients will see amazing results within the first two weeks of therapy.

The method is safe (doesn’t require any invasive procedures) and more beneficial than any other treatment, including surgery and compression pumps.

Contact Melissa, Healthy Being Wellness Center's certified lymphatic therapist for an initial appointment to address Lymphedema. 727-502-3464.