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March is National Lymphedema Awareness Month. You have probably heard of lymphedema and have a general idea of what it is. The overall perception regarding lymphedema is that it is associated with cancer, which is not always the case. We asked our own specialist Vicki Magnan, OTR, to discuss lymphedema on a broader spectrum and how it can be managed. The lymphatic system does a great deal more than fight off the flu bug; it is a filtering system. In simple terms, it’s the plumbing for your body. Other than filtering out toxins, your lymphatic system creates white blood cells and lymphocytes to fight against foreign invaders, including cancer cells. Though cancer, cancer-related surgeries and treatments may be the culprit to some lymphedemas, other diagnoses have a large impact on the lymphatic system. “Over the past few years, I’ve been treating more patients with varying diagnoses that one might not think is the normal for a lymphedema therapist,” Magnan says. “Though a person may not have visible swelling, it still can occur at a micro level and can be just as painful and destructive.” Rheumatoid Arthritis, Fibromyalgia, and Lyme’s disease are just a few examples of diagnoses that get relief from specialized manual therapies. This is known as Manual Lyphatic Drainage (MLD), which includes a comprehensive home program for patients to carry over lymph stimulation.” This treatment not only helps reduce edematous areas (areas with lots of swelling or edema) and filter out toxins, but it also increases the happy hormones of seratonin, dopamine, and endorphin in the brain. This is especially important for those with chronic illness. Patients that see Vicki Magnan, OTR, usually have chronic swelling issues that have turned into a disease process. At times, lymphedema will occur after having a surgery. Magnan’s goal is to educate those that undergo surgical procedures to decrease the risk of developing edema and lymphedema post-surgically. “Edema is a symptom that can be resolved in time, but lymphedema is a disease process that causes permanent damage.” Says Magnan, “Those with chronic pain often find PT Plus for their unique treatment approaches, and lymphatic treatment in the combination are effective tools for providing relief.” In addition, it is important that the treatment received by Vicki Magnan, OTR, is only successful when the person seeking treatment is under the care of a physician. Communication between the patient, their physician and Vicki is key. Even people without a chronic illness can benefit from MLD, Magnan explains, “Those that experience migraine headaches receive noticeable relief from a combination of specialized manual therapies and lymph stimulation/toxin clearing treatment. Contact the staff at PT Plus to learn more. October is National Physical Therapy Month, and physical therapist Amy Snyder, MPT, DPT, of PT Plus Physical Therapy’s Milwaukee clinic, would like to take the opportunity to remind people about the important role improved and restored movement has on improving society.
“Movement is central to a person’s quality of life, no matter the age or personal hurdles,” Snyder said. “Young athletes, expecting and new moms, white- and blue-collar workers, outdoor enthusiasts, seniors intent on maintaining personal independence … it all centers on optimal movement. That’s what we provide as physical therapists.” According to the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), physical therapists are highly educated, licensed health care professionals who exist to help patients reduce pain and improve or restore mobility – in many cases without the need for expensive surgery and often reducing the need for long-term use of prescription drugs. “Our bodies crave movement – we need movement,” Snyder said. “We as physical therapists ensure that everyone, no matter what stage of life they’re in, is able to reach their potential when it comes to living active, mobile and functional lives.” This, of course, includes post-injury/surgical rehabilitation, but physical therapy is much more than that. In fact, physical therapists are specially trained and licensed to improve people’s lives through the treatment of a number of ailments you may not have previously suspected. These include: Headaches: Following a thorough evaluation, a physical therapist (PT) can treat chronic tension-type headaches, the most common primary headache disorder, according to the World Health Organization. A PT can identify the cause of such headaches (e.g., muscle tension, joint dysfunction in the neck/jaw, poor posture or stress) and work to improve mobility, strength, posture, and daily work/office routines. Pre-Natal/Post-Partum Care: Physical therapists can offer relief for expecting mothers experiencing pain and discomfort in the back, hips and legs through treatment and exercise. After delivery, physical therapy is effective in treating back and pelvic pain while helping new moms strengthen their bodies for the rigors of motherhood. Balance, Dizziness & Vertigo: Physical therapists can assess a person’s balance and risk of fall, then provide treatment (e.g., strength training, flexibility or range of motion exercises, for instance) to help improve balance. Many physical therapists are also specially trained to treat positional vertigo, which can often be successfully treated in a single visit. Athletic Enhancement: From weekend warriors to elite athletes, physical therapists work with our most active to help them move better, train better and realize their greatest potential as competitors. PTs can provide movement analyses, establish a better training regimen, and assist with equipment selection and adjustments (e.g., shoe orthotics, for instance, or bike fitting). In addition, Snyder notes that clients don’t need a physician’s referral in order directly access physical therapy services – unless, of course, such referral is required in order to bill insurance. Contact the PT staff at PT Plus Physical Therapy to learn more. Researchers from the Netherlands recently found that a combination of supervised strength and aerobic training during the early stages of breast cancer treatment reduces fatigue while helping patients increase muscle fitness. As Breast Cancer Awareness Month approaches in October, Amy Snyder, MPT, DPT, of PT Plus’s Milwaukee clinic points out this study is the latest in a line of research that touts the important role physical therapists can play in breast cancer treatment, general rehabilitation and the early diagnosis of potential complications following treatment.
“Physical therapy can play a critical role in improving the quality of life for breast cancer patients during and after treatment through hands-on interventions as well as therapeutic exercise,” Snyder said. “The goal is to reduce pain while helping patients improve flexibility, strength and range of motion following treatment.” For women battling with or who have survived breast cancer, physical therapy exists to alleviate the impact of surgery related to breast cancer treatment. Working closely with surgeons and oncologists, Snyder says the ultimate goal of a PT is to help clients attain the highest level of function, getting them back on track toward the life they lived before diagnosis. “Physical therapists are trained to help restore motion in patient following a mastectomy or axillary lymph node dissection, while at the same time guiding them toward return to their daily activities and lifestyles,” she said. Snyder points to a few of the ways PT can help those affected by breast cancer: Combat Fatigue: The Netherlands study mentioned above, which appeared in a recent issue of BMC Medicine, found that a supervised strength and conditioning regimen during the first 18 weeks of treatment helped breast cancer patients offset the deconditioning effects of chemotherapy. It also built muscle strength while increasing a feeling of “general self-efficacy and mastery” among patients. Early Diagnosis of Lymphedema: Physical therapists have taken on a greater role in the early detection of lymphedema, abnormal swelling of the arm and hand that may result when lymph nodes are removed or treated with radiation as a part of cancer treatment. Once detected, a PT can treat the early stages of the condition through massage, range-of-motion and strength exercise, and the use of compression sleeves. Exercise for Prevention: Studies have shown that regular exercise and physical activity may actually lower the risk of the onset and reoccurrence of cancer (including breast cancer) when compared with living a sedentary lifestyle. Following cancer treatment, physical therapists like those on the PT Plus Physical Therapy team, can work with breast cancer survivors to establish an exercise program that maintains long-term strength, cardio fitness and overall functionality. From homework and tests to extra-curricular activities, students already shoulder plenty of weight during back-to-school time. Their backpacks should be the least of their worries, says physical therapist Amy Snyder, MPT, DPT, of PT Plus’s Milwaukee clinic.
“Backpacks are so practical, but they’re also so easy to misuse,” Snyder said. “If they’re too heavy or just worn incorrectly, backpacks can cause strained muscles, sore joints, back pain and even injury in kids.” The American Occupational Therapy Association estimates that about 79 million students across the U.S. carry school backpacks. Among these, nearly 22,000 strains, sprains, dislocations and fractures – ailments caused by improper backpack use – were reported by medical providers in 2013, according to the U.S. Consumer Safety Commission. “These injuries are preventable,” Snyder said. “Parents can play an active role in in preventing these injuries by first selecting the right packs for their kids, then ensuring these packs are worn correctly.” In this spirit, Snyder offers the following tips for parents, guardians and teachers:
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