{"id":668,"date":"2019-09-17T12:18:57","date_gmt":"2019-09-17T12:18:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lymphedemaproducts.com\/blog\/?p=668"},"modified":"2021-03-20T08:28:30","modified_gmt":"2021-03-20T08:28:30","slug":"what-is-a-lymphedema-therapist-and-how-can-one-help-you","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lymphedemaproducts.com\/blog\/what-is-a-lymphedema-therapist-and-how-can-one-help-you\/","title":{"rendered":"What is a Lymphedema Therapist and How Can One Help You?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Lymphedema Therapist: How Can One Help You<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

If you have been diagnosed with lymphedema, you know it must be carefully managed. Proper treatment will require careful compliance with doctor’s orders on your part. With some diligence and help from a lymphedema therapist, you may be able to thwart the progression of this disease and minimize its impact<\/a> on your daily life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is a Lymphedema Therapist?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019ve been under the care of an oncologist, surgeon, or general practitioner, you may be unfamiliar with the role of the lymphedema therapist. Generally speaking, a lymphedema therapist can be any health care professional who specializes in the diagnosis, care, and treatment of lymphedema<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He or she may be a nurse practitioner, doctor, physical therapist, occupational therapist, etc. These practitioners specialize in lymphedema therapy, and are adept at manual decongestive therapy; the form of specialized massage used to stimulate lymph drainage in affected areas of the body and applying compression wraps<\/a>. Although they may wear other hats, lymphedema therapists typically have a great deal of experience working directly with patients who have been diagnosed with lymphedema.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unofficial Designations<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There is no single set of criteria that define and certify a \u201ccertified lymphedema specialist\u201d. The National Lymphedema Network (NLN)<\/a> and the Lymphology Association of North American (LANA)<\/a> are two organizations that have recommended minimum standards for competency, including 128-135 hours of training in decongestive therapy and hands-on experience with lymphedema patients. Study typically entails extensive knowledge of subjects such as skincare<\/a> (an important concern among lymphedema patients) and exercises<\/a> to help lessen symptoms.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

LANA also recommends courses in relevant lymphatic network-focused anatomy and physiology, as well as hands-on instruction. There is a voluntary exam that aspiring a lymphedema therapist may take upon completion of this course work. The exam is the Clinical Lymphedema Therapist-LANA (CLT-LANA). Upon successful completion of the exam, a healthcare provider may proclaim their CLT-LANA certification.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Delving Deeper<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Here are a few questions you may wish to pose to your lymphedema therapist:<\/p>\n\n\n\n