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Lymphedema Program
Mills-Peninsula’s Lymphedema Program is the only one on the San Francisco Peninsula to offer a combination of therapy and self-care education.
What is Lymphedema?
Lymphedema is an abnormal buildup of fluid that results in swelling, usually in the arms or legs, but can also occur in the head, neck and trunk.
The condition develops when lymph vessels or lymph nodes are missing, impaired, damaged or removed. It affects both women and men and can occur at any age.
Lymphedema cannot be cured but with the right care and treatment, the affected limb can be restored to a more normal size and shape.
Lymphedema also can be treated and controlled so that it does not progress further.
Left untreated, lymphedema can lead to increased swelling and a hardening of the tissue, resulting in decreased function and mobility in the limb. It can also lead to chronic infections and other illnesses.
Our Approach
We first provide hands-on therapy to reduce the size of the affected limb and then teach each person to successfully manage their specific condition. All of our therapists are Complete Decongestive Physiotherapy (CDP) certified therapists.
Complete Decongestive Physiotherapy (CDP) is a painless, noninvasive treatment, using techniques that consist of:
Proper skin and nail care to reduce risk of infections
Manual lymph drainage (MLD) – a gentle manual technique that routes lymph fluid away from the obstructed area toward adjacent functioning lymph nodes
Specialized compression bandaging
Remedial exercises or exercises that address related orthopedic dysfunctions and lymphatic flow
Instruction in self-care techniques including self-MLD and self-bandaging
Compression garment fitting
The length of treatment depends upon which limb is involved and the severity of swelling. Success depends on the patient’s willingness to follow the prescribed treatments and their commitment to long-term self-management.
For more information about cancer treatment and care, call 650-696-4405.
