Lymphedema Therapy

What Is Lymphedema?

Your lymphatic system plays an important role in keeping you healthy. It circulates lymph fluid throughout your body to help fight infections. If the lymphatic system is overwhelmed, fluid can build up and cause swelling, a condition known as lymphedema. This condition is different from typical swelling as it will not resolve with elevation over time and requires treatment to prevent further complications.

Lymphedema typically causes swelling in one or both arms or legs, but it can sometimes cause swelling in other parts of the body as well.

There are two types of lymphedema:

• Primary lymphedema. Primary lymphedema happens without a known cause. Sometimes it’s present at birth because of an underdeveloped lymphatic system, but may not be symptomatic until later in life.
• Secondary lymphedema. Secondary lymphedema is caused by a trauma or infection. Often it occurs as a result of cancer or cancer treatment when lymph nodes are removed.

How Therapy Can Help

At Benefis, we work with you to prevent, treat and manage lymphedema. We aim to educate you about your condition and get you feeling your best by improving your range of motion, decreasing pain and stiffness, decreasing lymph fluid buildup, and most importantly, empowering you to manage your lymphedema independently.

Our treatments include:

• Stretching and exercises to address mobility limitations
• Compression wrapping
• Compression garment fitting
• Manual techniques that address tissue adhesions, scar care, axillary cording, phlebitis (vein inflammation), and manual lymphatic drainage (MLD)
• Lifestyle management education

Meet Our Therapists

When you come to Benefis Therapy Center, you’ll be under the care of highly trained experts who are committed to improving your quality of life. Our team offers personalized, compassionate care based on leading-edge research and techniques.

Darcie Lujan, OTR/L, CLT

Darcie Lujan, OTR/L, CLT is a certified lymphedema therapist with an emphasis in breast cancer rehabilitation. As a lymphedema therapist, Darcie works with the providers at Benefis Sletten Cancer Institute for lymphedema affecting the arms, legs, face, and more. Breast cancer rehabilitation focuses on the unique therapeutic needs that breast cancer patients require following surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. Patients are educated on how their treatments impacted them systemically and how they can take control of their health to treat any residual health effects. Other lymphatic conditions treated are hereditary or trauma based. Darcie is passionate about customizing her treatments to meet each patient’s individual needs and working with the resources available to them.

Delene Hollingworth, COTA/L

Delene has over 30 years’ experience in various settings of healthcare as an occupational therapist assistant and administrator. She’s trained in breast cancer rehabilitation and has experience with lymphedema management in the acute care setting. Delene feels honored to be working one-on-one with patients during challenging life situations.