Lymphedema Management of the Upper and Lower Extremities

Course Outline

This comprehensive three-day course is designed to teach therapists the most current management techniques to effectively treat lymphedema. Recent research studies are thoroughly discussed validating current treatment techniques. Participants will leave this course with the information and techniques needed to immediately begin managing patients with lymphedema. Effective assessment and treatment approaches are thoroughly explained and practiced in the laboratory exercises. Clinicians will gain information pertaining to the manual techniques required to appropriately design a therapeutic treatment approach and self-care program.

Lymphedema may range in severity from mildly annoying with poor aesthetics to severely debilitating and disabling. Regardless of the severity of the patient’s lymphedema, pain, decreased range of motion, decreased limb strength and decreased functional abilities are often present. In order to address these issues the therapist needs to understand how to minimize the edema by creating a healthier cell environment while simultaneously working to improve range of motion, strength and function.

Successful functional outcomes with lymphedema patients can be achieved if the therapist has the appropriate clinical skills and current theoretical knowledge of lymphedema. Emphasis must also be placed on teaching the patient to effectively manage their lymphedema. This course provides the therapist with the skills to achieve successful outcomes and develop self-care programs for lymphedema patients. Participants also receive intense practical experience in a small class environment, which prepares the therapist to immediately apply the skills in the clinical setting.


Course Objectives

• Demonstrate an understanding of the anatomy and physiology of the lymph system.
• Describe the pathophysiology of lymphedema and pathogenesis of common upper and lower extremity lymphedema.
• Understand the common diagnostic procedures for lymphedema.

• Recognize, assess and treat the different classifications of upper and lower extremity lymphedema.
• Perform proper massage techniques to enhance lymphatic flow and explain the physiologic rationale for lymph drainage massage.
• Correctly apply short stretch compression bandages in the treatment of upper and lower extremity lymphedema.
• Perform limb measurements that provide acceptable documentation of outcome measures.
• Instruct patients and health care professionals in precautions and skin care.
• Choose the appropriate compression garments and instruct patients in correct application.
• Develop appropriate individualized treatment programs for successful functional outcomes.

Schedule of instruction

  Day One   Day Two, continued
7:30 8:00 Registration 9:30 10:00 Assessment techniques/billing
8:00 9:00 Introduction   • Perometer
  • Three-day outline   • Multi-frequency bioelectrical impedance
  • History of lymphedema treatment   • Genital Lymphedema
9:00 10:00 Definition of lymphedema   • ICD-9 codes/CPT billing codes
  • Types of lymphedema 10:00 10:15 Break
  • Primary lymphedema 10:15 12:00 Compression bandaging (Lab)
  • Molecular therapeutic
  • Lower extremity bandaging
  • Secondary lymphedema 12:00 1:00 Lunch (on your own)
  • Incidence of lymphedema 1:00 3:00 Massage for lymphatic drainage
(Lecture/Lab)
  • Signs and symptoms   • Research studies on lymphatic drainage
  • Grades of lymphedema   • Alternative lymphatic pathways
  • Lipedema   • Purpose of lymphatic mobilization
  • Anatomy of the lymph system   • Contraindications for lymphatic mobilization
  • Watersheds/lymph ducts   • Basic principles-sequencing
10:00 10:15 Break   • Hand techniques-strokes
10:15 11:00 Physiology of the lymphatic system
3:00 3:15 Break
  • Starlings equilibrium 3:15 5:00 Massage (Lab continued)
  • Physiology of the lymphangion   • Treatment of the neck
  • Pathophysiology   • Superficial/deep abdominal
techniques
11:00 12:00 Compression bandaging   • Upper extremity lymphedema home program
  • Research studies on
compression bandaging
  Day Three
  • Bandaging supplies 8:00 8:30 Review of day two material
  • Indications for specific types of bandages 8:30 10:00 Compression garments (Lab)
  • When to use foam/chip bags   • Classification of compression garments
  • How to create gradient
compression with bandages
  • Manufacturers of the garments
12:00 1:00 Lunch (on your own)   • Alternatives to garments
1:00 3:00 Compression bandaging
(Lab, continued)
  • Three case studies using Circaid for primary lymphedema
  • Upper extremity lab   • Research on the Reid sleeve
3:00 3:15 Break   • Research studies on exercise and lymphedema
3:15 5:00 Compression Bandage
(Lab, continued)
10:00 10:15 Break
  Day Two 10:15 12:00 Venous disorders and lymphedema
8:00 8:30 Review of day one material   • Deep vein thrombosis
8:30 9:00 Compression pumps and other treatments   • Chronic venous insufficiency
  • Research studies on
compression pumps
  • Case studies
  • Research studies on elevation 12:00 1:00 Lunch
  • Research studies on kinesiotaping 1:00 3:00 Compression bandaging of the Upper and lower extremity (Lab)
  Lymphatic Therapy (ALT) 3:15 4:30 Massage techniques for the lower extremity (Lab)
9:00 9:30 Prevention of lymphedema 4:30 5:00 Questions/Answers
  • Skin care and precautions    

Downloads

Course Brochures are in Adobe PDF format. Right click and choose "Save Target As" to download brochure. If you would like to open the brochure in your browser windows, select the link.

Course Brochure for Lymphedema Management of the Upper and Lower Extremities

Scheduled Dates and Locations

Start DateEnd DateLocation - **Click to Map It**TuitionHrsHotel
Feb 27, 09Mar 01, 09Cartersville Medical Center, Cartersville, GA$495.0023.00View Hotels
Mar 13, 09Mar 15, 09Methodist Dallas Medical Center, Dallas, TX$495.0023.00View Hotels
Mar 27, 09Mar 29, 09Holy Cross Hospital, Ft. Lauderdale, FL$495.0027.50View Hotels
Apr 24, 09Apr 26, 09Tri-City Wellness Center, Carlsbad, CA$495.0023.00View Hotels
May 15, 09May 17, 09Mercy Hospital, Chicago, IL$495.0023.00View Hotels
Jun 05, 09Jun 07, 09Northwest Hospital, Seattle, WA$495.0023.00View Hotels
Oct 16, 09Oct 18, 09Tampa General Hospital, Tampa, FL$495.0027.50View Hotels

 

North American Seminars Courses for physical therapy and occupational therapy

 

Course Instructor
North American Seminars Course Icon  

Elizabeth Augustine, PT, DPT received her Bachelors and Masters of Science in Physical Therapy from the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA. She received her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Simmons College, Boston, Massachusetts in December of 2006. Her specialty is adult oncology physical therapy. She was senior staff physical therapist and the oncology coordinator for the physical therapy section, rehabilitation medicine department at the National Institute of Health (NIH) in Bethesda, MD from 1994-2005. She was also a consultant to the Breast Cancer Center at the National Naval Medical Center, Bethesda, MD from 1999-2005. Elizabeth is president emeritus of the Oncology Section of the American Physical Therapy Association and is currently president of the Lymphedema SIG for the Oncology Section of the APTA. She received training in lymphedema management from Doctors John and Judith Casely Smith in Australia. She has been an associate investigator on different NIH intramural oncology research protocols and a NIH extramural grant reviewer on lymphedema. She has published numerous chapters, articles and abstracts related to oncology rehabilitation including lymphedema. Ms. Augustine has lectured extensively on lymphedema to professional organizations and patient support groups. She was a member of the American Cancer Society’s work group to develop a brochure on lymphedema for patients diagnosed with breast cancer. She is the recipient of numerous awards for her contributions to oncology rehabilitation. Elizabeth currently resides in Arizona and is practicing as a lymphedema therapist in an outpatient clinic. Ms. Augustine’s extensive background with cancer and lymphedema is demonstrated throughout her course presentation.

Velaro Live Help