Differences in LE therapists

kcshreve
kcshreve Member Posts: 1,148
edited June 2014 in Lymphedema

I just want to say again, that not all certified LE therapists are the same. I was greatly helped by my first LE therapist this year, who has 2 other therapists in her office, all LANA certified. They were very supportive, had decent info, taught me MLD, and got me into a compression sleeve fairly soon, since I caught this LE super early.  I decided to see a different LE therapist just to make sure I was fully understanding how to do MLD, making sure there are no gaps in my MLD process.  I also wanted to learn to wrap, which my first therapist never did quite get around to showing me.  What a huge difference in visiting this 2nd one.  All have the same certification.  

The second one is very methodical, has printouts to go by, insists that you practice in front of her, repeats, repeats, repeats.  She's a very good teacher. She's less about hand-holding and more about independence, which is perfect since I am ready to be independent now.  But I think I needed the hand-holding at first.

I'm glad I ventured over to this second person, since not all therapists offer the same skill nor perspective.

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  • kcshreve
    kcshreve Member Posts: 1,148
    edited December 2010

    I also wanted to say that as far as the ins and outs of LE, this group has been core to my learning curve.  Seriously!  Y'all rock!

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  • KittyDog
    KittyDog Member Posts: 1,079
    edited December 2010

    That is exactly what I need now.  So one to make sure what I am doing is correct.  Obviously by the look of my arm I am doing a horrible job.  I finally got my referral back to the clinic of Dec. 17. 

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  • kira66715
    kira66715 Member Posts: 4,681
    edited December 2010

    KC, this is SO important--Binney and I recently reviewed the inadequate therapists I first had--Binney says I set a record--she thought each time, I'd found someone decent, but NO...

    I found my amazing therapist fairly early in the run, but as an LMT, she wanted a PT on the case, and I found some highly trained, horrible therapists, and a weekend wonder, and a highly trained woman who started out great and just became bizarre...

    Today, I went to see the OT I use for my LE patients, because I need OT for my hand, and she was wonderful! Spent an hour with me, did the OT work and also a LE massage and a swelling massage--it's so good for me to have someone I can trust while recovering from this fracture. And my LE therapist did a full MLD session, and left me wrapped for a day, the day after the cast came off.

    It's still scary, to have taken a step backwards, but I feel so much better with LE therapists I can trust.

    What a great point you make: at different points on this LE journey, we need different people to assist us.

    And this board--saved me, and helped me figure out who to trust.

    Kira

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  • kcshreve
    kcshreve Member Posts: 1,148
    edited December 2010

    When I suspected LE, I did some calling around and could not find any of my doctors who knew of good LE therapists.  I just happened across my first one by doing some internet networking.  Now, 10 months later, I found that there is a local shop which carries breast cancer-related supplies - wigs,  prosthetics, etc. They also can order sleeves, but do not do their own measurements, relying on a LE therapist for that.  When I went in to see what how their shop works, they asked me who my Le therapist was and how I got their name.  Interesting.   They had not heard of my first therapist or her office, but definitely knew the 2nd one's reputation well.  I would never have thought to get a referral from a breast cancer supply place, but it's a great idea, if you think about.  They'd know who is ordering the JoviPak nighttime sleeves, or specific daytime compression wear, etc. They hear who is good and who is not.  I'm glad to have found this place.  I wish I would have known earlier how to get a name, aside from the LANA list

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  • kcshreve
    kcshreve Member Posts: 1,148
    edited December 2010

    Sorry - wrong word - not "referral".  I meant recommendation or suggestion.

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