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.

Natural Ways to Address Sinus Problems, Sinusitis, Allergies, Headaches and Lymphatic Congestion

A common complaint of my clients this season is sinus congestion, running noses, plugged ears, sinus headaches, swollen glands in the neck and a general feeling of stuffy and puffiness in the head.

Sinus congestion happens when our mucous flushing system is shut down and becomes blocked. This can occur when we develop a cold, an allergy or if there is an obstruction or swelling in the drainage passages. Mucous production never slows down and in fact sometimes the immune systems speeds up by producing more mucous to rid the body of toxins, bacterial and viral invasions. The net result in a build up of pressure in the sinus cavities. The body responds to infection by increasing the fluid and white blood cells, into the sinuses, to fight the infection. This accelerates and exacerbates the problem.

It becomes very important for treatment and prevention to address the lymph nodes and lymphatic system to help clear sinuses of blockages. Lymph nodes share teh same stuffiness and pain associated with sinus blockages as our sinuses and are in need of decongestant therapies.

Natural therapies for allergies involve sinus flushing and support the immune system. Keeping the lymphatic system moving and decongested is a key ingredient for long term health. Often clients come in during allergy and flu season for maintenance treatments. Along with their Neti pot therapies at home and herbal remedies, an hour of Lymphatic therapy has helped many fight this dreaded season. Many have noted going a whole year without any chronic sinusitis or developing any type of sinus infection or upper respiratory infection.

Lymphatic therapy reduces sinus congestion and lymphatic congestion within minutes of treatment.

A specific Sinus and Lymph Drainage protocol is utilized for clients presenting with sinus problems, sinus congestion, headaches, allergies, pressure in the head, chronic upper respiratory infections and other indicators of a congested lymphatic system.

Natural relief for sinus problems, sinusitis, allergies, headaches and Lymphatic Congestion are available at Healthy Being Wellness Center in St. Petersburg, FL 33702 by the Lymphatic Therapies of Melissa Gallagher, Lymphatic Therapist and Natural Health Practitioner.

To learn more about Lymphatic Drainage Therapies at Healthy Being Wellness Center click here.

At Healthy Being Wellness Center we concentrate our healing services on promoting breast health and enhancing the lymphatic function of the breast and reproductive systems. Healthy Being Wellness Center is St. Peterburg's premier natural breast health clinic that focuses on lymphatic therapy for Lymphatic Therapy for FibroCystic Breast Syndrome, Breast Carcinoma, Ovarian Cysts and Fibroids. Clients with breast cancer related lymphedema find relief in a series of electro lymphatic drainage therapies through the techniques used by Lymphatic Drainage Specialist, Melissa Gallagher.

THE IMPORTANCE OF THE LYMPHATIC SYSTEM IN GOOD BREAST HEALTH

The lymph system is a cleansing system for cellular waste in the body. It is a one-way transport system that can get easily clogged, because it doesn’t have a pumping system of its own. The axillary (underarm) lymph nodes are close to the breast; 97% of the lymphatic fluid that drains breasts is found in these underarm nodes. For good breast health, it is imperative to keep the lymph fluid circulating. Exercise, deep breathing and lymphatic drainage massage help move the lymph fluid, supporting the clearing of waste and debris from the system. The better the circulation, the healthier your breasts and body will be!

DID YOU KNOW?

• Breasts do not have muscles to help move them or a pumping system to circulate and drain fluids.
• Surgical scars can cause breast pain or “pulling” and can develop pockets of swelling where fluid collects.
• Monthly cycles, pregnancy and lactation or surgery can cause a variety of pain or discomfort. Chronic conditions causing breast congestion are associated with breast pain and degenerative tissue changes.
• There are many readily available nutritional supplements and foods that boost breast health factors, including garlic, turmeric (a natural anti-inflammatory), flax seed and oil, omega oils, green tea (a natural anti-oxidant), fresh green vegetables and fresh fruits.
• Smoking, excessive alcohol, sugar and refined foods, pesticides and herbicides, chemicals and food additives, trans-fats and hydrogenated oils have been shown to be factors in increased breast disease.

STUDIES SHOW:

Stanford Center for Lymphatic and Venous Disorders, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California: 2002 Dec 1;95(11):2260-7.

Decongestive lymphatic therapy(DLT) for patients with breast carcinoma-associated lymphedema. A randomized, prospective study of a role for adjunctive intermittent pneumatic compression.

Disruption of the lymphatic circulation through breast carcinoma-associated axillary lymph node dissection, with or without radiation therapy, reportedly is the most common cause of lymphedema in developed countries. There is no cure for breast carcinoma-associated lymphedema. Although intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) has been acknowledged as a potential component of the multidisciplinary therapeutic strategy in the treatment of patients with breast carcinoma-associated lymphedema, prospective study of its adjunctive safety and efficacy is required.

* Study found lymphatic therapy produced a " mean volume reduction (45.3% vs. 26%; P < 0.05)." [for many clients this is significant, it illustrates a reduction in finger, wrist, forearm and upper arm swelling]