Provision Physical Therapy performs lymphedema therapy on breast cancer patients. These patients benefit from the nurturing and therapeutic treatments. As part of the comprehensive services offered at the Provision Healthcare campus at Dowell Springs, this beneficial therapy for cancer patients is available right here in Knoxville at Provision Physical Therapy.
Sometimes, the effects of breast cancer don’t end with surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy. The cancer itself, and the treatments used to fight it, can leave women with other health concerns.
That’s where Provision Physical Therapy comes in. We provide treatment for lymphedema, a condition that can arise when lymph nodes are damaged or removed during breast cancer treatment.
“Provision was one of the first to bring this method of treatment to town,” said Dr. George Webber. “It is a huge step forward in how we treat lymphedema.”
The lymph system takes fluids and waste products away from the body’s cells, pumping them to locations where they can be eliminated from the system. When the system isn’t functioning properly, the patient can experience a buildup of fluids, ranging from mild swelling and heaviness to full-fledged fibrosis, in which the build-up is thick like putty.
Provision’s physical therapists are careful to keep treatment for lymphedema gentle, private, and personal, empowering women by teaching them exercises and self-care regimens to keep lymphedema at bay. We understand our patients have already gone through a lot, so we treat them in a nurturing, caring way.
Treatment for lymphedema is four-fold:
- Gentle massage techniques are used to guide fluid build-up towards functioning lymph nodes in other areas of the body.
- Exercises use the body’s natural muscle action to pump fluids out of areas affected by lymphedema.
- Compression uses a firm sleeve or glove to keep fluids from building up.
- Women are taught skin care and risk-reduction practices to help minimize lymphedema.
This treatment practice operates under the “knowledge is power” mantra. After all, if you know how to take care of yourself, you are empowered to do just that.
Even as advanced cancer treatments like proton therapy help to decrease the incidence of lymphedema in breast cancer patients, it’s still important to remember that early intervention is crucial to treating the condition.
The goal of the lymphedema community is to have earlier intervention for women with higher risk. Provision is honored to work with patients dealing with this condition and and we are always thrilled to see them overcome so many obstacles!
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For more information about lymphedema treatment, please call Provision Physical Therapy at 865-232-1415 or e-mail info@provisiontherapy.com.