What is Lymphoedema?

Lymphoedema is swelling caused by a problem with the lymphatic system, which forms part of the body’s return circulation. It most commonly occurs following lymph node removal or radiotherapy as part of cancer treatment, but can also develop in people with poorly formed lymphatics, or after injury or infection.

How Lymphoedema Therapy can help you

Living with lymphoedema can be uncomfortable, frustrating, and at times overwhelming — but with the right support, most people can significantly reduce their swelling and get back to doing the things they love. Here’s how we can help:

• Understand what’s happening and why — We’ll assess your swelling, skin condition, and history to give you a clear picture of your lymphoedema and what’s driving it. Knowing what you’re dealing with is the first step to managing it well.
• Reduce swelling with hands-on treatment — Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) is a specialised, gentle massage technique that encourages your body to redirect fluid away from swollen areas. Many patients notice a meaningful reduction in heaviness and discomfort after treatment.
• Find compression that actually works for you — The right compression garment, properly fitted, can make an enormous difference to how your limb feels and functions day to day. We’ll help you find the right solution — whether that’s a sleeve, stocking, glove, or bandaging — so it works with your life, not against it.
• Move more freely and safely — We’ll guide you through exercises designed to support your lymphatic system without aggravating your swelling, so you can stay active with confidence.
• Protect your skin and prevent complications — Good skin care is one of the most important tools in managing lymphoedema. We’ll show you how to keep your skin healthy and reduce the risk of infections like cellulitis, which can set back your progress significantly.
• Improve comfort after surgery — If scarring is affecting your movement or lymphatic flow, Restore Therapy scar techniques can help improve tissue mobility and support your recovery.
• Feel in control of your own condition — Perhaps most importantly, we’ll equip you with the knowledge and skills to manage your lymphoedema yourself — between appointments and long into the future. Self-management through skin care, massage, exercise, and compression is empowering, and we’ll make sure you feel confident doing it.

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