Lymphatic Therapy

Lymph Drainage Therapy - textbook by Bruno Chickly, MD, DO

Heather has studied lymphatic therapy in the Bruno Chikly curriculum. Lymphatic therapy is a gentle, light touch, that stimulates circulatory return from congested areas. It can be useful in managing side effects of cancer treatment, chronic sinus infections, and post-operative pain and scarring.

Post-mastectomy breast cancer patients are the most frequently in need of lymphatic therapy - to manage edema (swelling), and to make scar tissue more flexible. Insurance covers Physical Therapists doing your lymphatic care, but not nurses or massage therapists. Heather recommends you begin with a therapist who will be covered by insurance - usually at the same facility where your cancer was treated.

If you have already completed the first stage of active treatment, and you'd like to continue occasional maintenance care with Heather, please be in touch.

If your surgery was a gender affirmation surgery rather than cancer treatment, I do not know whether your insurance is required to cover lymphatic care with a physical therapist? If not, I would be happy to work with you. If your insurance did cover initial care with a PT, and that coverage has run out, I would be happy to work with you.

However, if you are looking for lymphatic therapy after elective plastic surgeries* such as tummy tuck, Brazilian fat transfer, etc, you will need to find someone else. Plastic surgery patients are too often unwilling to be fragrance free for their appointments.

Please use the practitioner directory at the Chikly Health Institute to find another qualified therapist.

* I do not consider gender affirmation to be an elective surgery.

ALL PATIENTS will need to be completely free of fragrance chemicals. Please avoid all perfumes, colognes, scented deodorants, bodywashes, styling products, etc. for at least 24 hours prior to your appointment.

Even scented laundry products and "natural" essential oils can be problematic.

You will need my help to find

truly fragrance-free options, because

virtually every personal care product

contains toxic fragrance chemicals.

Please plan to pick up free samples of vetted products prior to your first appointment. Thank you!