Lipoedema is steadily growing in awareness with an uptake in research in the past few years.
Lipoedema Australia state “While there is technically no âcorrectâ or âincorrectâ way to pronounce lipoedema, most medical and allied health professionals choose to pronounce lipoedema with a long âi’ sound, similar to the way liposuction is pronounced. This helps to keep a more obvious differentiation between lipoedema and similar sounding lipidemia or lymphoedema â one of the most common issues when speaking to others about lipoedema is the confusion between these conditions”
- Also note that Lipalgia is also being introduced as a new term which you may also see on some websites
Lipoedema in a NutshellÂ
Lipoedema is the painful build-up of diseased fat in the legs and arms (but can grow anywhere in the body).
Lipoedema:Â
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Mostly affects womenÂ
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Tends to worsen during hormonal changes such as puberty, pregnancy and menopause
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Cannot be dieted or exercised away
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Can interfere with walking and other daily activities
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Is treated using measures such as compression and anti-inflammatory way of eating
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Can be reduced through liposuction surgery
Lipoedema tissue is difficult to reduce by diet, exercise, or bariatric surgery
Assessment and in Clinic Therapy
I offer a 75-minute individualised Lipoedema Therapy assessment and treatment where we sit down and work through your family history, look at what stage you may be at and provide a written report for you to review and take action as needed.
Information provided covers medical grade compressions garments (again within the pain tolerance), skin care, deep diaphragmatic breathing, supportive exercise options and self-care advice things like vibration, self lymph massage and use of pneumatic pumps.
Treatment
I treat with Vodder manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) massage and other tools such as the therapeutic electrostatic oscillation to effectively and painlessly move the lymph which helps reduce pain and inflammation.
The Four Stages as described by Talk Lipoedema
There are four stages commonly associated with Lipoedema and I really like these images (credit Talk Lipoedema who are based in Scotland) and depending on where you are at, you will find benefits from regular MLD.
Stage One
Stage Two
Stage Three
Stage Four
Living Well with Lipoedema
If you are assessed as having Lipoedema, then I recommend you read this page from Talk Lipoedema. They address exercising, emotional wellbeing and the benefits of compression.
Lipoedema Standard of Care
I recommend that you read the Standard of Care for Lipedema in the Unites States released in May 2021 which gives you good advice on self care and if you are interested in liposuction, what the self care post surgery will be available.
Surgery for Lipoedema
If you do want to go down the surgical route, then the Lipoedema Project have a full listing of surgeons here
– There is a Facebook support group under Lipoedema New Zealand where fellow women who have lipoedema talk about their journeys, including surgical so this is another good resource to bookmark.
Self Quiz
A good place to start if you think you may have Lipoedema, is this quiz from the Lipedema Project
