Infrared saunas ? ok for lymphadema patients ?

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hopepedigo
hopepedigo Member Posts: 23
edited June 2015 in Lymphedema


I recently was given information on a well known  lymphedema center in Arizona, and I called them to find out the specifics of their program.They do a 2 hour MLD massage and than you go in a infrared sauna? I m very confused and conflicted on this manner.The facility has been run for 14 years and supposedly has a big breast cancer  clientele , but all I ve heard is no saunas for Lymphedema patients ( which on top of I have had multiple cellulitis boughts ), Anyone tried infrared saunas? and had any good or bad results? I m desperate and have almost tried everything else .

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  • Binney4
    Binney4 Member Posts: 8,609
    edited August 2014

    Hope, infrared sauna therapy raises the core temperature, which is exactly what you don't want to do. There are women in the Stage IV forum who have used this treatment for bone pain, but they don't have lymphedema (though they are at risk for it, so it could be a disaster for them…) 

    Have you checked out the training of the therapists who do the MLD? Basic skill level would involve 135 hours of specifically lymphedema training beyond their OT or PT certification (or MT certification, though MTs cannot be paid by insurance for doing MLD), and at least a year's supervised experience treating lymphedema. Even that does not guarantee a safe or effective treatment, but it's a place to start.

    I sure hear you on the desperation--it makes all of us so vulnerable! Please take care!
    Gentle hugs,
    Binney

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  • hopepedigo
    hopepedigo Member Posts: 23
    edited August 2014


    Binney4 ,Yah that's what I thought ,I wasn't sure the differance with infrared, and its weird this lymphadema center specifically incorporates it into their sessions.I have had MLD , unfortunately my insurance only covers 12 sessions a year and outside of that its very costly out of pocket at the big facilities.It has been very hard to find someone knowledgeable and skilled and available  in Az .I ve been to ALOT... that do not know what they are doing but unfortunately claim to be a MLD .Its been a very trying 3 years and still Im learning more every day about lymphedema ,and what to do for it ,It seems Im always getting stumped because not much seems to realy help .

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  • Binney4
    Binney4 Member Posts: 8,609
    edited August 2014

    Hope, I sent you a private message...

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  • hopepedigo
    hopepedigo Member Posts: 23
    edited August 2014

    got it thanks Binney4, replied

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