Edema therapy

The edema physiotherapist treats patients who suffer from (lymph) edema. Edema is an abnormal accumulation of fluid/swelling in the tissues due to an imbalance between fluid intake and drainage. 

Various types of edema 

There are different types of edema, depending on the cause. Some common forms of edema include: • Lymphedema, edema in the skin caused by overload of the lymphatic system, for example due to lymph nodes being removed as a result of (oncological) surgery or radiation therapy • Traumatic edema, after an accident or surgery • Primary lymphedema, a congenital issue in the lymphatic system • Lipoedema, edema caused by abnormal distribution of fat tissue throughout the body • Venous edema, edema caused by poorly functioning blood vessels. 

The goal of edema therapy

• Improvement of body function
• Support and enhancement of fluid drainage
• Reduction of pain
• Promotion of wound healing 

Therapy, our approach 

Physiotherapy begins with a comprehensive intake. An analysis is made of your edema, situation, preferences, and goals. Through a thorough examination, all significant factors are assessed. Subsequently, a treatment plan is developed in consultation with you and potentially other specialists. Edema therapy consists of a combination of: • Education and self-management • Skin care • Manual lymphatic drainage: manually guiding the fluid to the properly functioning parts of the lymphatic system • Compression therapy: used to prevent fluid accumulation and ensure that the current situation remains stable, through bandages, compresses, and compression stockings.

 • Self-therapy: after treatment, the patient learns to independently control the edema with activation exercises for the lymphatic system and self-drainage.
• Scar treatment
• Lymph taping: taping with special tape improves subcutaneous circulation and promotes the drainage of lymphatic fluid. 

Certified edema therapist 

The edema therapist – sometimes also called a skin therapist – is a physiotherapist who has received extensive training in the treatment of (lymph) edema. Our edema therapist has been trained by the internationally recognized Vodder Academy from Austria and is affiliated with the Dutch Association for Physiotherapy in Lymphology and Oncology (NVFL). 

Collaboration with specialists 

Edema therapists often collaborate with general practitioners, oncologists, surgeons, bandagists, and skin and wound care specialists.