Calgary Lymphedema Rehabilitation and Consulting Services Inc.
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Providing premiere Lymphedema management through evidence-based practice

 

  


Lymphedema Services

  • Certified Lymphedema Therapy: Byron has been a certified Lymphedema Therapist with the Lymphology Association of North America Lymphology Association of North America since 2002. He completed initial training in Complete Decongestive Therapy (CDT) in 1998. CDT is the training standard for therapists wishing to specialize in conservatively treating Lymphedema. (ISL consensus document). Certified Lymphedema Therapist designation is a post-graduate specialization and designation available for completion by healthcare professionals. CDT treatment includes: educating clients in self-care management; graduated compression garment fitting; multi-layered graduated compression bandaging; skin care education; client education in risk reduction strategies; manual lymphatic drainage; and modified exercise and graduated return to daily living activities.

  • Licensed Occupational Therapy (O.T.): Byron is a graduate of the University of Alberta, Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine: Department of Occupational Therapy. He is a licensed Occupational Therapist in the province of British Columbia (http://www.cotbc.org). Byron has practiced as an Occupational Therapist for 15 years including hospital, outpatient, homecare/community, and private practice settings. Occupational Therapists are rehabilitation professionals who work with individuals who have had medical concerns and health conditions that impact on their ability to participate in routine activities of life including self-care, work, play, and social activities.

    As Lymphedema is a chronic condition, treatment emphasizes the importance of clients developing and acquiring the knowledge, skills, and the treatment supplies and equipment necessary to effectively manage this condition while participating in their work, leisure, and personal care activities. Byron combines 15 years of practice as an Occupational Therapist with 10 years of experience assessing and treating lymphatic conditions and Lymphedema. Byron has also completed additional training in aquatic therapy for Lymphedema management.

  • Compression garment fitting services: Byron is a certified fitter experienced in garment selection, measuring and fitting both custom and standard-size Lymphedema graduated compression garments. Byron also has experience with graduated compression garments designed to be worn while at rest. As appropriate fitting, care, and use of graduated compression garments is a crucial part of Lymphedema self-management, Byron assists clients to integrate use of graduated compression garments into their daily activities.

COMMUNITY AND HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONAL CONTINUING EDUCATION:

  • Community Education. Byron offers public lectures and educational sessions, and welcomes opportunities to speak at public special interest and support groups. Byron developed a Lymphedema lecture that was integrated into Tom Baker Cancer Center's public education program in Calgary, Alberta. Please contact us if you are interested in having Byron provide an in-service to your organization or group.

  • Healthcare professional education. Byron has lecture experience providing continuing educational opportunities to physician groups, nursing teams, and allied healthcare professionals. Byron's presentation experience includes: Alberta Physician breast cancer update; Calgary Health Region nursing educational series; and Calgary home care rehabilitation services. He has also taught continuing education courses at Medicine Hat Regional Hospital, and St. Mary's Hospital in Camrose, Alberta, for allied health professionals. Byron designed and taught a credited Lymphedema course at the University of Alberta: Department of Occupational Therapy. Byron has also presented at the National Lymphedema Network International Conference and Capital Health Wound Care Conference Lymphedema Assessment and Treatment in the Wound Care Population.

    Byron is available to provide in-services education sessions to healthcare providers interested in learning more about Lymphedema treatment and our program. Please contact us contact us if you are interested in scheduling a speaking engagement or a continuing education opportunity.

ASSESSMENT PROCESS:

  • Contact the office to schedule an initial assessment appointment. Prior to the initial assessment, we require your physician to complete a Prescription to Assess and Treat. All services are currently being offered at your home or residence as a home care based rehabilitation service in the municipalities of Vancouver, West Vancouver, North Vancouver, and Burnaby. We plan to open a specialty Lymphedema outpatient clinic in 2012 to serve Vancouver and the lower mainland.
  • We will send client consent and questionnaires by e-mail or regular mail to be completed and returned to your therapist at the initial assessment appointment. Please contact us with any questions you have prior to the assessment.
  • We will typically schedule from 1.5 to 2 hours to complete the assessment. We encourage all clients and family members to bring forward any questions they have as an integral part of the assessment process. You will be provided written materials about Lymphedema and Lymphedema management during this session.
  • The initial assessment will take 1.5 to 2 hours to complete. We encourage all clients and family members to bring forward any questions they have as an integral part of the assessment process. You will be provided written materials about Lymphedema and Lymphedema management during this session.
  • After the assessment is complete, we will make treatment and management recommendations. We may request the opportunity to contact your physician or other healthcare professionals involved in your care prior to implementing a treatment plan. After the initial assessment we will send a report to your referring physician with our recommendations for your treatment.
  • You decide how you would like to proceed.

TREATMENT:

  • A treatment program will be implemented based on results from the assessment and your feedback. Treatment sessions are 1 to 2 hours. Frequency of treatment sessions will vary based on individual needs. Treatment may begin with daily treatment sessions then gradually reduce over time. Our clients may demonstrate improvement in their Lymphedema management within as few as 3 to 5 treatment sessions. Others may require regular follow-up sessions for several weeks depending on their clinical presentation and needs.
  • Treatment will be tailored specific to your needs and goals. We will discuss with you and provide a written recommendation for your physician's consideration for compression garments as necessary.
  • Clients will be discharged after meeting their goals, plateau in progress, or elect to end treatment.
  • Periodic follow-up re-assessment and treatment is strongly recommended. We encourage follow-up sessions to ensure you continue to effectively manage your Lymphedema long term, and to address issues that arise.