Connecting Lymphedema & Lipoedema Healthcare Professionals
A place to share experiences, advocate, collaborate, and help one another
Welcome!
We are excited and honored to bring you the premier issue of Node – a NEW place for lymphedema and lipedema healthcare professionals to connect. Node is a resourceful community that will grow and support the amazing work you do every day. A special thanks go to those who have helped us launch, and we encourage everyone to let us know what they think.
Warm Regards,
Debbie Joles - President
Want to get in the Node. Help us build content for your peers – If you’d like to contribute just once or regularly, comment, or suggest content, contact us at:
info@hivamatus.com
The Lymphedema Treatment Act (LTA) is a federal bill that was passed on December 23, 2022 to improve insurance coverage for the medically necessary prescribed compression garments and supplies that are the cornerstone of lymphedema treatment. Although the LTA relates specifically to a change in Medicare law, it will set a precedent for Medicaid and private insurers to follow. Medicare coverage for compression garments and supplies will take affect on January 1, 2024, and during 2023 the Lymphedema Advocacy Group, who led the effort to pass the LTA, will be working with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to ensure proper implementation of the new law. To learn more and get involved in this important effort please visit LymphedemaTreatmentAct.org.
Heather Ferguson
Founder & Executive Director
Lymphedema Advocacy Group
LymphedemaTreatmentAct.org
What assessment tools do you use for evaluating lymphedema?
10-Second Therapist Poll Results
FEATURE ARTICLES
The Expanding Lymphedema Toolbox
By Rochelle Brannan MPT CLT-LANA, ONCPT CMT
The lymphedema toolbox is an expansive collection of advanced education, manual therapy skills, objective measures, creative problem-solving and modalities. Lymphedema modalities are diverse in design and include low level laser, kinesiotape, IASTM, negative pressure devices, pneumatic compression and HIVAMAT Deep Oscillation.
Don’t miss Rochelle Brennan presenting Deep Oscillation at the National Lymphedema Network
Non-traditional Applications of MLD; an op-ed
By Louisa Boyd OTR/CLT-LANA
Many of us who practice as Lymphatic Specialists, will often have our patients tell us that the reason they come to us for therapy is not necessarily the reason why they keep coming back. Some of the feedback I have received from patients range from being able to sleep better to a feeling of calmness or more energy. They also will report being able to breathe better and even think more clearly. This leads one to ask, what else is manual lymph drainage (MLD) impacting within the brain and body of our clients?
Up Coming
Education
How Hivamat Makes Your Hands More Powerful
Free Webinar - Dr. Jens Reinhold (worlds foremost deep oscillation expert)
WHEN: Saturday, March 18th 2023
TIME: 11:00 am CST
Discover the effectiveness of Deep Oscillation in Lymphedema
Congratulations to Gunnison Valley Health
Helping their Colorado community with a new Hivamat Evident.
See how this Vodder trained therapist found Deep Oscillation
”Loving My Hivamat” - by Tacy Ammons
Get Your Hivamat Practice Graphic
We’re building a Deep Oscillation Nation Directory which will be published on the Hivamat website. If you use Hivamat, submit your practice listing and receive a free Hivamat Practice graphic to use on your website and emails.
TESTIMONIAL
"I have been specializing in breast cancer and lymphedema rehabilitation for over 20 years, and the Hivamat Deep Oscillation device is the first of it's kind to work in assisting to decrease chronic edema, lymphoedema, lipoedema, fibrosis, inflammation and overall postoperative healing. In just a few sessions, when used in conjunction with some traditional treatment modalities, demonstrated significant results. I have used many deep oscillatory devices, and still utilize the vibration plate in therapy, the Hivamat works in ways I never imagined. Fibrotic tissue softened in the first 3 uses of the device and overall reports of swelling fluctuations and pain due to surgical healing decreased by at least 35%. With inclusion of Hivamat use, my clients were happier and more motivated for therapy than ever before. I highly recommend this device , and although the wand works, using gloves with leads increases the efficacy of manual therapy exponentially."
Cynthia J. Shechter
CLT-UE CORE CIORS CIMT MA OTR L
ShechterCare
Breast Cancer & Lymphedema Rehabilitation Specialist Owner,
President and Director of Rehab
National Lymphedema Network
Hivamat attended an NLN conference for the first this past November in Cleveland. While there, we connected with the community of therapists using deep oscillation every day to help their patients.
Pictured is Rochelle from California who won a free Hivamat Personal.
Hivamat is a proud sponsor of the NLN
Using a sweatband over the electrode is an easy way to keep it in place while treating patients with your hands
