About Me
Hi ! I am Jing Wenn
I’m a physiotherapist specializing in lymphedema therapy. I gained valuable experience working at the Subang Jaya Medical Centre Rehabilitation Department and I had the privilege of becoming a certified lymphedema therapist through Klose Training from the United States.
My hospital experience equipped me to be a well-rounded physiotherapist, but I’m particularly passionate about helping people manage lymphedema and recover from breast cancer.
If you’re living with lymphedema, you’re not alone. There are effective treatment options available, and I can help you manage your condition and live a full, active life.
What is Lymphedema ?
Lymphedema is a condition where certain parts of your body, like your arms or legs, can get swollen for a long time and does not response well to medication. Normally, our lymphatic system helps clean out extra fluid and waste from your body tissues.
But when it’s not working well due to damage from trauma, cancer treatment, or infection, that fluid can build up and make the area swell up.
Complete Decongestive Therapy / Lymphedema Therapy is our special treatment tool that uses gentle lymphatic drainage massage, compression, exercises, and skin care to help reduce swelling and make you feel better.
Causes of lymphedema
- Cancer surgery
- Radiation therapy
- Infection
- Injury
- Birth defects
Symptoms of lymphedema
- Tightness or heaviness in the affected limb
- Difficulty moving the affected limb
- Changes in the skin, such as hardening or thickening
- Pain
- recurring infection
Treatment for lymphedema
Lymphedema is a chronic condition that can be difficult to live with. It can cause swelling, pain, and stiffness, and it can make it difficult to do everyday activities.
There is no cure for lymphedema, but there are treatments that can help to manage the symptoms and improve quality of life.
CDT is considered the gold standard for lymphedema treatment because it is the most effective way to reduce swelling, improve skin condition, increase mobility, and reduce the risk of infection.It is also a well-tolerated treatment with few side effects.
It is important to remember that you are not alone. There are millions of people around the world living with lymphedema, and there are resources available to help you manage your condition and live a full and active life.
Complete Decongestive Therapy
CDT is a combination of manual lymphatic drainage (MLD), compression bandaging, exercise, and skin care.
Manual lymphatic Drainage
Gentle massage technique that helps to move lymph fluid through the body.der/CEO
Compression
Apply pressure to the affected limb through compression garment or badages
Exercise
Muscle pumping helps to stimulate the lymphatic system and promote lymph flow.
Skin Care
To prevent infection and other complications.
CDT is typically divided into two phases:
- Phase 1: Intensive decongestive therapy (IDT): This phase focuses on reducing swelling and improving skin condition. IDT is typically provided daily for 2-4 weeks.
- Phase 2: Maintenance therapy: This phase focuses on preventing the swelling from returning. Maintenance therapy may involve wearing compression garments and performing exercises on a daily basis.
CDT is a long-term treatment plan, but it can be very effective in managing lymphedema symptoms and improving quality of life.
Scientific evidence supporting CDT as the gold standard for lymphedema treatment:
- A 2017 review article published in the journal Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery concluded that CDT is the most effective treatment for lymphedema. The review found that CDT can reduce swelling by up to 50%, improve skin condition, and increase range of motion.
- A 2019 study published in the journal Lymphology found that CDT was effective in reducing swelling and improving lymphatic function in people with upper extremity lymphedema. The study also found that CDT was safe and well-tolerated.
- A 2020 study published in the journal Cancer found that CDT was effective in reducing swelling and improving quality of life in people with breast cancer-related lymphedema.
Citations:
- Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28636887/
- Lymphology: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31254807/
- Cancer: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32011524/
Here are a few tips for living with lymphedema:
- Learn about your condition. The more you know about lymphedema, the better equipped you will be to manage it. Talk to your doctor and other healthcare professionals about your condition and treatment options.
- Develop a treatment plan. Work with your healthcare team to develop a treatment plan that is right for you. This plan may include compression therapy, manual lymphatic drainage, exercise, and skin care.
- Be patient. It takes time to learn how to manage lymphedema. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t see results immediately. Just keep at it and eventually you will find a routine that works for you.
- Don’t be afraid to reach out for help. There are many resources available to help you manage lymphedema. Talk to your doctor, join a support group, or contact a lymphedema therapist.
Educational resources
- National Lymphedema Network (NLN) – https://lymphnet.org/
- Lymphedema Education & Research Network (LERN) – https://lymphaticnetwork.org/
- Australasian Lymphology Association (ALA): https://www.lymphoedema.org.au/
- Lymphology association of North America ( LANA ) : https://www.clt-lana.org/
Case Study : Mr A
Mr. A is a 93-year-old man who had lymphoma for more than a decade. Both of his hands were swollen for about 3 years, and the swelling was getting worse over time. He tried medication and Epsom salt, but nothing helped.
Mr. A sought treatment from me and we worked on bandaging, manual lymphatic drainage (MLD), and exercises. Mr. A worked with me three times a week for a month, and his perseverance paid off. He was thrilled with his results and reported feeling much lighter and more comfortable in his daily activities.
Case study : Ms D
Ms. D is a 70-year-old woman who developed lymphedema in her left arm after 10 years of breast cancer surgery. She experienced significant swelling and pain, which made it difficult to perform everyday activities.
Ms. D had worked with me and we worked on a treatment plan that included manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) 3 times a week and compression bandaging. After just two weeks of treatment, Ms. D’s swelling had reduced significantly.
Ms. D continues to manage her lymphedema effectively with compression gloves, compression arm sleeves, lymphedema pumps, and routine MLD. She is able to enjoy an active and fulfilling life, despite her condition.
Contact me today for a free consultation
If you are interested in learning more about lymphedema therapy or if you would like to schedule a free consultation, please contact me today.
I would be happy to answer any questions you may have and to discuss how I can help you to manage your lymphedema and live a full and active life.
Contact Jing Wenn
If you have any questions, comments, or scheduling requirements, just whatsapp me or just toggle our live chat!
Hours
Mon-Fri : 9:00AM – 6:00PM
Saturday – Sunday : as needed