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Physical Therapy for Lymphedema

Lymphedema is a painful condition resulting in persistent swelling of an arm or leg due to a blockage in your lymphatic system, an important part of your immune and circulatory systems. It is most commonly caused by removal or damage of lymph nodes during cancer treatment.

HPRC Lymphedema Treatment offers outpatient care provided by expert physical therapists. Treatments are designed to reduce pain, swelling, and other symptoms through a combination of special therapies and exercises. The earlier lymphedema is treated, the better the results.

What to expect during your Lymphedema treatment at HPRC:

  • You will be assessed by an expert physical therapist who is specifically trained in lymphedema therapy.
  • Your therapist will evaluate your strength and range of motion and take measurements of your affected and non-affected areas.
  • A customized plan will be created just for you that begins with instruction on how the program works, your specific diagnosis and how to manage and further prevent lymphedema.
  • A session may consist of specialized massage, skin and nail care, compression bandaging, continuing education, and a home exercise program to fit your individual needs.
  • We will contact your insurance carrier for you during your initial appointment to obtain detailed information about your coverage. Medicare and most insurance companies cover much of the cost of Lymphedema Therapy.
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Specialty-Level Care

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More Board Certified Experts

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Caring Physical Therapists

Gain a team of therapists committed to your recovery.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • A physical therapy visit lasts about 40-60 minutes. The actual contents of the visit vary based on your diagnosis/need, but typically what happens is:

    1. You check in with the receptionist, make any appointments necessary, and we discuss your health insurance benefits with you.
    2. You go into the gym. You can change clothes if you need to, then begin therapy.
    3. You perform 6-8 various exercises and stretches. These can include therapeutic band exercises, light body weight exercises, or minimal weights. The stretches will promote strength, stability, improved range of motion, and pain relief.
    4. We can initiate other techniques to include manual work, taping, cupping, and dry needling as needed.
    5. The therapist makes recommendations based on your progress. These can include altering the frequency of visits, making additions/alterations to your home exercise plan, or things to do before your next visit.

  • We recommend budgeting 40-60 minutes for a typical therapy session. The only exception to this will be your first visit, which can take about 20 minutes longer due to the physical therapy evaluation your therapist will provide. We also recommend showing up about 10-15 minutes early to your first visit. This way, you can complete the paperwork before your visit time and streamline the process.

  • If we are asking you to do something that is hurting too much, let us know! Physical therapy should not be severely painful. It is not common to be so sore that patients are in pain or it affects their daily life. If this ever happens during or after an appointment, let us know and we will adapt your program.

  • During your initial evaluation, your therapist may ask you a number of questions to determine what the cause of your pain is. This can include questions about your sleep habits, activity level, and work environment. They will also ask for a medical history, and then typically ask direct questions about where and when you experience pain.

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