Struggling with Lymphedema? Here’s How Miller Vein’s CLT Program Can Help

Do you struggle with swelling in a specific area of your body? Are you affected by skin changes like hardened or discolored skin?

These are common symptoms of lymphedema. If you’re looking for a way to manage this condition, Miller Vein can help.

What is Lymphedema?

Lymphedema is a chronic condition where excess fluid builds up in soft tissue, such as fat or muscle tissue. This causes swelling in the affected areas.

Lymphedema can be caused by multiple factors including:

• Blockages
• Genetics
• Damage to the lymphatic system
• Chronic Venous Insufficiency (CVI) or Chronic Venous Disease (CVD)

What Are Some of the Symptoms of Lymphedema?

The symptoms of lymphedema can vary from person to person. However, there are common symptoms to look out for:

• Swelling or puffiness in the feet and toes
• Aching, heaviness, tightness, or pain in the affected limb
• Limited range of motion or fatigue in the affected limb
• Skin changes, such as thickening, hardening, or discoloration
• Recurring infections, such as cellulitis or lymphangitis, in the affected area
• Wounds or weeping lymph fluid through the skin
• Clothing fits unevenly on extremities

How Can Miller Vein Help?

Though lymphedema is a chronic condition, there are ways to help manage it. One of the best ways? A Certified Lymphedema Therapist, or CLT.

At Miller Vein, we have a dedicated, in-house Certified Lymphedema Therapy program to ensure you get the best lymphedema care possible.

What is a Certified Lymphedema Therapist or CLT?

A Certified Lymphedema Therapist (CLT) is a healthcare professional with advanced training to treat lymphedema and other conditions associated with the lymphatic system.

How Do They Help?

CLTs are trained to treat and provide education on the management of lymphedema through Complete Decongestive Therapy (CDT), which is the gold standard for the treatment of lymphedema. This includes:

• Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD)
• Compression Therapy
• Therapeutic Exercise
• Skin and Nail Care for preventing infection
• Patient Education for self management

While these treatments won’t eliminate lymphedema or its symptoms, it will make the condition much more manageable. For more information on these treatments, click here.

Important Note: Lymphedema is frequently caused by underlying Chronic Venous Insufficiency (CVI). When that’s the case, vein treatment is strongly recommended.

Exclusively at Miller Vein

We are the first and only vein clinic in Michigan to offer on-site Certified Lymphedema Therapy. So many patients have either received no CLT therapy or lymphatic therapy without decongestive drainage and report such a significant improvement in daily activities after our therapeutic approach. Some patients even become independent of walkers or wheelchairs. If you have chronic wounds due to leg drainage or swelling so severe it impacts daily activities, your assessment at Miller Vein may offer options that help you understand your condition and seek non-invasive therapies that positively affect your life.

In Conclusion

At Miller Vein, our Certified Lymphedema Therapist works closely with patients to help them find the best treatment plan. And if vein treatment is necessary to tackle the underlying cause, we can help there too.

If you’re currently struggling with lymphedema or you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, schedule a medical consultation here.