Call Us - Hunt Club613-224-2077 Call Us - Kanata343-309-9654 Book Online Today Decongestive therapy (CDT therapy) Contact us today to schedule an appointment Name* Email* Phone* Choose location*West Hunt ClubKanata Choose service*PhysiotherapyChiropractorAcupunctureMassage TherapyDietitianYogaCold PlungeInfrared SaunaIV Therapy Message* Input this code: Thank you for requesting an appointment We usually respond within one business day. If you’ve messaged us outside of normal business hours, we will be happy to help you once we’re back. Please note that no bookings are final until we have reserved a time slot using your credit card. Hours of operation Monday to Thursday: 9:30 AM – 8:00 PM Friday: 9:30 AM – 7:00 PM Saturday: Appointment only Sunday: Closed Please be aware of our cancellation policy. Natural relief from lymphedema Your body’s lymphatic fluid is meant to flow easily and fight infection. It travels through a network of vessels and organs that work together to move lymph from all of your tissues back into your bloodstream. Lymphedema is the build-up of fluid in soft body tissues when the lymphatic system is damaged or blocked and unable to flow through the body the way that it should. It can lead to swelling in your limbs and further health complications over time if left untreated. We offer complete decongestive therapy services to help reduce and manage painful swelling. In most cases we can help you return to your full level of vitality. What is decongestive (CDT) therapy? Complete decongestive therapy (CDT) is a full-system treatment approach to managing lymphedema. Many patients respond very well to this gentle, noninvasive, and highly effective treatment. The full system approach of CDT involves 4 main steps: Manual lymph drainage massage (MLD) Compression bandage therapy Skin care Exercise Manual lymph drainage (MLD) Collapse MLD is a very light massage technique used to help stimulate the natural movement of lymph within your lymphatic and circulatory systems. Our approach to MLD is to focus on redirecting the lymph from your affected limb, around the blocked or damaged vessels, and into the healthy vessels that drain into your circulatory system. Manual lymphatic drainage helps to eliminate the body's cellular waste products, reduces swelling and encourages your immune system to function properly. It also helps promote general relaxation and has a detoxification effect on your skin and superficial fascia. Compression bandage therapy Expand Multiple layers of compression bandages — strips of stretchable bandages — are wrapped around your affected limb. These bandages are applied after your MLD massage and are used to prevent the re-accumulation of lymph within your limb between treatments. Your bandages should be worn until the next treatment and will continue to be used until your limb has been decongested. After your limb has been decongested, you'll then be fitted for a compression garment. Skin care Expand Proper skin care and education is vital if you’re a lymphedema patient, as skin infections such as cellulitis and erysipelas are very common complications of the condition. You’ll receive advice on which products are best used to maintain a healthy skin care routine, how to watch for early signs of infections, and when to seek further medical attention. Exercise Expand You’ll learn about a series of therapeutic exercises to perform at home between appointments. These exercises are very low impact and are used to help activate your muscle and joint pumps that will further stimulate the flow of lymph within the affected limb. Please remember to keep your compression bandages on whenever you’re exercising. What to expect during CDT therapy treatments Your first visit to Elysian Wellness will be a 30-minute consultation and assessment with our certified lymphedema therapist. Your therapist will have some questions for you so they can get an accurate history of your condition, and will take measurements of both affected and unaffected limbs. They’ll share the information you need on how decongestive therapy works, as well as create your custom treatment plan. We recommend that you wear or bring a t-shirt, tank top, or shorts to change into to allow for your affected limb to be accessible. You should also bring any compression garments you already have, even if you’re not currently using them. All your following treatments will be an hour in length. The first 45 minutes of each treatment will be a manual lymph drainage (MLD) massage. All MLD treatments start with a neck and shoulder massage sequence followed by work on your abdomen, as there are major lymphatic system structures in those areas. Once your neck, shoulders and abdomen have been treated, your therapist will move to the impaired limb and gently massage the area to encourage natural drainage from the area. The last 15 minutes of your treatment will be spent bandaging the area and advising you on remedial exercises to perform at home between your appointments. Remember, exercise is an important component of your treatment. Daily moderate exercise will stimulate circulation and natural drainage of the affected area, and greatly accelerate your recovery rather than just relying on MLD treatments alone. Book your initial 30 minute assessment with RMT Morgan Asquini Book online now