WILMINGTON — CMH Regional Health System’s Rehabilitation Services announced this week the launch of a new Lymphedema Therapy program.
Lymphedema is a chronic health condition that occurs most commonly after surgery, radiation therapy, or chemotherapy for the treatment of cancer, but can also be caused by infection, obesity, venous insufficiency, trauma, or as the result of a previous joint replacement or other procedure.
CMH’s certified lymphedema specialists use a non-invasive Complete Decongestive Therapy (CDT) to treat lymphedema. This treatment specifically helps those experiencing abnormal swelling of a body part, including but not limited to the head, neck, upper and lower extremities, breast, and abdomen, that’s caused by a build-up of lymph fluid.
Bryan Williams, Director of Rehabilitation at CMH, spoke to the importance of Lymphedema Therapy and its potential to improve quality of life for a number of patients:
“We’re really excited to offer this program, as we know it has the potential to improve comfort, quality of life, and clinical outcomes for a number of our patients,” he said. “This is a service that fits naturally with our growing oncology program, but also in a variety of other settings and diagnoses — following surgery, trauma, and even in response to vein issues.”
CMH CEO Greg Nielsen echoed Williams’ excitement. “At the end of the day, people come to us because they want to be well.,” he said. “It’s important to us to offer services like this, that recognize the body as a whole and its responses to surgery or ongoing medical treatment, and that help to improve quality of life and clinical outcomes. We’re really excited to offer this not only for our cancer patients, but to all of those in need of treatment for lymphedema.”
For questions about the Lymphedema Therapy program, call CMH Rehabilitation Services at 937-383-7722 or speak with your primary care provider.
