A handy tool to help you set your New Year’s Goals!
Everyone on my mailing list would have received this in an email from me yesterday. It’s a list of word suggestions to use to set an intention or theme for this new year’s goals.
I did this exercise a few years ago and the word “flow” just jumped out at me. I recognised that allowing/encouraging more flow in my life would lead to a better balance in my life. And it’s been so helpful through the pandemic, that I’ve decided to hang onto it for a bit longer! I also feel it really represents my work (stimulating blood circulation and lymphatic flow is a big part of what I do), so it’s a perfect fit!
One of my clients has chosen “abundance”, and another “flourish”. Do any of these resonate with you?
I saw a weird, badly researched, ignorant, or just plainly misleading post by a Melbourne Clinic recently saying they were the only clinic in Victoria to offer Endermologie with the “new” Alliance.
When I asked them to correct their post they said they would “next time”. It’s been a week and still no retraction.
I find it very annoying that they’ve deliberately tried to mislead their followers. Why? If they’re truly secure in their offering and know their stuff, they don’t have to be concerned about other clinics offering similar services. Sigh.
In any case, I’d like to confirm that here at @peninsula.endermologie I use the medical LPG Alliance/ the latest tech available. It’s classed as a medical device and is approved by the TGA (Therapeutic Goods Australia).
I’ve undergone specific training to allow me to treat people with multiple medical conditions such as Fibromyalgia, Secondary lymphoedema, scars etc, and treat symptoms for many more conditions such as IBS (Irritable bowel syndrome), carpel tunnel etc
My nursing background is certainly helpful in being able to discuss these conditions with my clients and take a carefully considered approach to their treatment. And I’m very happy to refer if I think another treatment option is going to give them a better outcome.
The bonus is that my machine also has all of the aesthetic programs we’ve grown to know and love over the past almost 40 years. And so my practice is a great mix of body contouring, cellulite busting, skin toning, anti-ageing facials as well as treatment for medical conditions.
I’m very grateful to work with my clients who trust me to work with them to deliver results. At the end of the day, the tech matters, but the therapist matters more. And truth and trust matter the most.
Thanks to Effie from @melbourne_chick for the impromptu photo shoot!
I had the absolute pleasure of a visit from @melbourne_chick – aka Effie on Friday and she surprised me with an impromptu photo shoot! 
So here I am, Band-Aid on my chin (had a fall off my mountain bike a couple of weeks ago), hair tied back, no make-up and awkward as-all-hell posing ability! Real life! Thanks again for visiting Effie.
…..
RePosted from @melbourne_chick
Yesterday I had the pleasure of experiencing an endermologie facial at @peninsula.endermologie, performed by the beautiful Niamh 
Niamh is a nurse and has worked in the medical field all her life, and she was an absolute treasure of knowledge! 
The facial itself was so relaxing and fully non-invasive, and I would sort of describe it as more of a targeted massage. Felt like total bliss and my skin had a rosy glow afterwards 
If you ever need any endermologie sessions, and especially for the body, please book a consultation!
#endermologie#Alliance#LPG#ProvenResults#NonInvasive#FaceTreatment#BodyTreatment#beauty#sport#wellness#MuscleRecovery#FirmSkin#FatReducing#TargetFatLoss#CelluliteTreatment#AntiAgeingFacial#Alliance#IBS#Fibromyalgia#RealResults#InnerPowerBetterLife#PeninsulaEndermologie#MorningtonPeninsulaWellnessCentre#EndermologieNearMe#EndermologieExpert#MtEliza#AwardWinningSalon#MorningtonPeninsula
Disclaimer: I’m no longer a registered nurse. Though I was when I had my initial training in LPG (nearly 30 years ago now eeek), but have since had a career in advertising and now run Peninsula Endermologie full time.
Learn what our lymphatic system is, and why we need it to work effectively for good health.
Phew. Yesterday’s heat got me all puffed up! Does anyone else notice that their rings are tighter and their legs feel heavier on hot days? That’s because high temperatures can really muck about with your lymphatic system.
If you’ve been a long-time follower here, you’ll know that I’m a big fan of the lymphatic system and have posted about this vital system many times before.
But it seems like a good time for a refresh, so over the next few days or so, I’ll explain a little more about what our lymphatic system is, and why we need it to work effectively for good health.
The lymphatic system is involved in almost all bodily processes. It’s made up of a network of tissues, vessels, glands and organs that work very efficiently to get rid of toxins, waste and other unwanted materials from our bodies (like a very sophisticated garbage disposal system)!
The lungs, thymus, spleen, tonsils and bone marrow are all part of the lymphoid organ system.
Many of the lymph nodes are located in the gut so they can immediately tackle the waste that results from our digestive processes. However, it branches out to every part of our body. These lymphatic vessels follow the blood vessels around the body using their motion as well as the body’s movement (i.e. muscles and deep diaphragmatic breathing) to keep the lymphatic circulation moving.
We all know we’re made up of about 60% water right? Well, it’s the lymphatic’s job to ensure that that’s clean. The lymphatic system filters a whopping 15 litres (ish) of fluid every day. That fluid is called lymph & it consists of 95% water, and the rest is proteins, waste products, fats and other natural substances.
Maintaining this fluid balance in the body is called homeostasis. Tune in over the next free days to find out why maintaining homeostasis is so important for our well-being.
In yesterday’s post I mentioned how important homeostasis is to our wellbeing. In essence, our lymphatic system’s main job is to collect the excess fluid that’s collected in the interstitial cells in your body called lymph and return it to your blood circulation.
If the lymphatic circulation isn’t working properly (or temporarily overwhelmed), this fluid will build up in these tissue spaces, causing that ‘heavy’ feeling and puffiness.
Over time, if the fluid retention continues, our total blood volume decreases and can cause low blood pressure. So, it’s important for the lymphatic system to get that excess fluid moving ASAP.
However, the fluid needs to be filtered first to get rid of some of the stuff that’s leaked from the gut – we call this chyle. Chyle contains fat and fat-soluble vitamins. In the small intestine, the chyle is absorbed by lymphatic capillaries called lacteals which is then moved along through lymph nodes (see image) to filter out any nasties.
Lymph fluid also contains some really useful stuff too. It’s a major producer of white blood cells (or lymphocytes) and other immune cells that destroy potential disease-causing pathogens such as cancer cells, bacteria, viruses, parasites and fungi (e.g. mould).
Stay tuned tomorrow for more about your lymphatic system and a quick summary!
The importance of lymphatic drainage: maintains homeostasis, removes waste, absorbs fats & proteins & produces lymphocytes & immune cells.
The importance of lymphatic drainage: If you think of our skin as the first line of defence against injury or disease, then the lymphatic system takes a very close second. In fact in ancient Indian medicine, (Ayurveda), the lymphatic system is considered to be the most important system in the body. Lymph is known as “Rasa” (aka “water of life”).
In summary, your lymphatic system:
– Maintains fluid levels in your body (homeostasis) collecting excess fluid in the body’s cells & delivering it back to the blood circulation.
– Filters & removes waste & cells from the lymph.
– Absorbs fats & proteins from your digestive system, again delivering these to your blood.
– Produces lymphocytes & other immune cells that identify and fight harmful pathogens.
So, now we know how vital our lymphatic system is, then the next question is, how do we keep our lymphatic system in tip-top shape?
1. Drink plenty of water. Staying hydrated helps your lymph to move more efficiently throughout your body.
2. Move your body. Your lymphatic system relies on the movement of smooth muscle tissue to push the lymph back towards the heart. Everything from yoga, walking, or weight lifting will help. One of the very best exercises to get lymph moving is rebounding – i.e. jumping up and down on a mini trampoline.
3. A healthy, balanced diet. Eat plenty of nutritious fresh fruit and vegetables and limit processed foods.
4. Maintain a tox-free life as much as possible by avoiding exposure to toxic chemicals such as pesticides/cleaning products.
5. Specialised lymphatic massage aka lymphatic drainage will reduce swelling (oedema) and heavy legs as well as relieve the symptoms of some health conditions like lymphedema and fibromyalgia. Endermologie is 3 times more effective and faster than manual lymphatic massage.
Do you know about the Glymphatic system? The brain’s lymphatic function? Each year scientists learn more about this vital system.
In the last few days I’ve discussed the body’s lymphatic system, but we can’t ignore our glymphatic system – which is the brain’s lymphatic function.
It’s been understudied until recent years, but that’s changing as more research is being carried out to determine the glymphatic’s effect on neurological conditions like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
This recent discovery published in New Scientist] shows a new anatomical structure has been discovered that is part of the brain’s waste disposal system.
The tissue is a thin membrane encasing the brain that keeps newly made cerebrospinal fluid – which circulates inside the brain – separate from “dirty” fluid containing cells’ waste products.
It was already known that there are three membranes between the skull and the brain. The new structure is a fourth membrane, lying on top of the innermost membrane, called the subarachnoid lymphatic-like membrane (SLYM). It is extremely thin, with a width of just a few cells or, in places, even one cell.
The SLYM hadn’t been noticed before, partly because the membrane disintegrates when the brain is removed from the skull in post-mortems, says Maiken Nedergaard at the University of Rochester Medical Center in New York, who helped discover the structure. It is also too thin to be seen in living people via brain-scanning machines.
There’s a link in the New Scientist] bio if you’d like to learn more.
Image: University of Copenhagen
Are you aware what happens when the lymphatic system isn’t working properly? Fluid builds up, causing reduced blood flow & low blood pressure.
I’ve already mentioned that if the lymphatic system isn’t working properly, the fluid (inflammation) will build up in our body, causing reduced blood flow and low blood pressure. But the knock-on effects of this continue throughout the whole body.
I meet lots of clients who have learned to live with pain. For example, one woman has had chronic pain in both legs since having varicose veins removed years earlier. She had immediate and continued relief after her very first treatment. Even though, at the time it wasn’t the focus of treatment (she was coming to sort out her cellulite)!
I treat people with fibromyalgia, shoulder pain, back pain, hip pain sciatica) and so much more. All without causing any further discomfort – in fact, Endermologie treatments are incredibly soothing and relaxing.
Stimulating your lymph flow (via fascial and circulatory stimulation) is very powerful.
It’s why my clients keep returning even long after we’ve achieved their aesthetic goals.
Thanks to @stopchasingpain for the image SMS following words:
It’s a simple fundamental principle. Fluid flow is life
Stagnant fluid is disease
You see it in nature all the time, and the same thing happens inside your body
Artery. Vein. Lymph. Interstitial fluid. CSF
Nutrients in. Waste out. BOOM!
Thick viscous blood you’re gonna suffer. Stagnant lymph you’re gonna suffer.
One huge reason why hydration is so important. You’re mostly water. If you’re dehydrated you’re gonna suffer.
Water content varies in different organs and tissues, from as little as 8% in the teeth to as much as 85% in the brain. Blood is 50% water. Lymph is 90%. Whammo!
There’s a lot of pressure on your lymphatic system, so it needs help. Lymph relies mostly on movement, deep breathing & massage to work well.
That’s a lot of pressure on your lymphatic system – and remember our blood circulation is pushed through our body by the pumping action of the heart, our lymph isn’t as lucky, it relies mostly on movement & deep breathing.
That’s why Endermologie is such a gift.
It’s 3 times MORE EFFECTIVE than manual lymphatic massage and gets results 3 times faster.
In most cases, my clients feel and see an immediate reduction in bloating and report feeling lighter.
#endermologie#EndermologieWorks#RealResults#Health#Beauty#Sport
Thanks to @stopchasingpain for the image and words below:
“When you get lymphatic stagnation combined with venous stasis you are going to struggle to heal.
Why? You don’t have an efficient supply chain for nutrients in and waste out.
That is a recipe for chronic inflammation, chronic pain, chronic disease. You can’t get better if you don’t have the necessary ingredients to do so
Fluid flow is life!
Plasma is the often forgotten part of blood. This fluid carries the blood components throughout the body. The main role of plasma is to take nutrients, hormones, and proteins to the parts of the body that need it. Along with water, salt, and enzymes, plasma also contains antibodies, clotting factors, and the proteins albumin and fibrinogen.
You don’t want that system choked off
It’s not just knowing what to do, you need to know where to do it, and most importantly the order to do it in. “
Emotions & Lymph – the effects of lymphatic dysfunction are a real burden. That feeling of heaviness can be utterly exhausting.
The physical effects of lymphatic dysfunction are often discussed and pretty bloomin obvious for a lot of people – especially women (as fluid retention happens for many women every fricken month)!!
But the psychological & emotional effects are rarely discussed. There’s cause and effect in every system of our body. That feeling of heaviness can be utterly exhausting.
Many of my clients come to see me long after their cellulite has been sorted, just because they love the lightness & relief of pain and discomfort they feel after treatments.
Our bodies deserve the best. And Endermologie delivers.
Click through to read a clinical paper’s findings on the lymphatic’s effect on our body’s pain receptors. Esp. if you’ve got Chrons/IBS.
Further to yesterday’s post, there’s a great paper that looks at the lymphatic’s effect on our body’s pain receptors.
They suggest that Chron’s disease, IBS (Irritable bowel syndrome) and many more chronic pain conditions could be a result of, or worsened by lymphatic dysfunction.
If you’re a science nerd (yay!), you can check it out here: https://www.frontiersin.org/…/fpain.2021.691740/full
Lymph and the gut – the biggest & most neglected defenders of the body is the lymphatic system = waste and toxin management.
Thanks again to @stopchasingpain for this one!!
Protection. Everything it does is based on defense. From pain response to the swelling response. From sickness response to withdrawal response. From flight or flight to chronic fatigue. From increased motion to decreased motion. And countless others.
One of the biggest and most neglected defenders of the body is the lymphatic system. The cleaning system of your body. Waste and toxin management.
Where is one of the biggest locations of lymph? Your gut. The lacteals.
Which just so happens to be a humongous part of your immune system. Up to 80% of it. Wowza. When stuff leaks through your gut that is not supposed to be there, lymph is there to immediately defend the castle.
One of the reasons you get puffy and swollen and inflamed and feel yucky anywhere in the body when you have leaky gut.
Working the skin with dry brushing is good for lymph. That is just the beginning and only a small part. Ultimately you will need to heal your gut and mange the deep lymph to help control toxins. It’s about pressure control.
You are only as strong and resilient as your weakest and most vulnerable system. And it’s not always the symptomatic one. No system in the body ever works alone. Never gets injured alone. Never heals alone. Think bigger. Think better. Think systems.
Wondering how to treat scars? Here’s some tips to help you heal from scars, whether for trauma, surgery or restricted circulation.
Let’s talk a little more about how to treat scars.
In my role as a general, and cosmetic nurse, I’ve seen a few. Dressing wounds and tending to scars was one of my favourite tasks as a nurse. I loved the attention to detail required and the satisfaction of seeing a great healing situation. (Just don’t talk to me about leeches.)
So, I’ve got quite an arsenal of tips for helping you heal from scars, whether they’re a result of trauma, surgery or restricted circulation.
This post from The Conversation is a good “explainer” about the phases of healing that occurs in wound/scar healing:
But the article doesn’t mention some of the non-topical things you can do to promote healing, so I’ll cover that in a post next time!
Yay! Another 5 star Peninsula Endermologie review. So grateful for the Clients who are willing to share their feedback with the world.
Yay! I love a great 5 star Peninsula Endermologie review!
PART 1: Keep the wound clean & cover the area with a clean, dry bandage.
A couple of days ago I posted an article from The Conversation that discussed the stages of wound healing:
1. The inflammation phase: an immediate response to remove pathogens and boost blood supply).
2. The proliferation phase: multiplication of blood vessel cells, epidermal cells and fibroblasts – to create collagen.
3. The remodelling phase: the creation of the scar.
It mentioned keeping the skin clean, covering the scar to promote healing, and protecting it from sunlight. But there’s plenty more that we can do to help speed up the scar-healing process.
Note, the following advice is for minor wounds. If you have a large wound, a wound that keeps bleeding and/or oozing with either lots of pain or loss of sensitivity and redness surrounding the area, then please seek medical help. And remember if you’ve had a traumatic injury from an animal, or come off your bike for example, you might need a tetanus shot.
Keep the wound covered
1. Keep the wound clean, wash it off with clean water (avoiding soaps on that area) and apply an antiseptic solution like betadine.
2. Cover the area with a clean bandage, preferably like paraffin gauze dressings (https://www.chemistwarehouse.com.au/…/bactigras-10x10cm…). You can cover it with a waterproof dressing (https://www.chemistwarehouse.com.au/…/opsite-flexigrid…) to keep it dry.
3. Change the dressing every couple of days, or sooner if there’s lots of oozing.
How to treat a wound and help minimise your risk of scarring – PART 2: Supplement your diet with Vit C, Zinc & Protein.
Supplement your diet
– Vitamin C
Vitamin C (aka ascorbic acid) is necessary for all phases of wound healing. “In the inflammatory phase it is used for neutrophil apoptosis and clearance. During the proliferative phase, AA contributes towards synthesis, maturation, secretion and degradation of collagen”.*
You can supplement or get it via
food forces – both have equal absorption.
The recommended dose is 90mg for men and 75mg for women (slightly more if you’re pregnant/breastfeeding). It’s not recommended to take any more than 2000mg daily.
Find it in citrus fruits (oranges, kiwi, lemon, grapefruit), capsicum, strawberries, tomatoes and cruciferous veggies, e.g. broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower.
– Zinc
“Zinc plays a major role in regulating every phase of the wound healing process; ranging from membrane repair, oxidative stress, coagulation, inflammation and immune defence, tissue re-epithelialization, angiogenesis, to fibrosis/scar formation.”**
Find it in oysters, red meat, fish and poultry. Also, legumes, nuts, pumpkin seeds, breakfast cereals, and dairy products.
– Protein
The minimum recommended daily allowance of protein for sedentary adults is 0.8 grams per kilogram of body weight. E.g., if you weigh 75 kilograms, you should consume 60 grams of protein a day – minimum. To promote good wound healing, it’s best to eat more. And, if you work out, you need to exceed even that.
Find it in meat, eggs, dairy, seafood. Supplement with 10-20 grams of whey isolate. Vegetarians can eat seitan, tofu, tempeh, edamame, lentils, legumes, hemp seeds, nutritional seeds, and ancient grains.
PART 3 tomorrow!
SOURCES:
Supplement your diet, contd. Eating extra collagen will help support your gut & skin repair to increase collagen formation in the wound.
How to treat a wound and help minimise your risk of scarring – PART 3
Supplement your diet, contd.
– Collagen
Eating extra collagen when healing from a wound will help support your gut and therefore skin repair which can increase collagen formation in the wounded region. Add around 20 grams of collagen peptides each day.
Find it in bone broth (made with beef, pork or chicken bones), sardines, fish with skin on, organ meats and gelatin gummies.
There are no vegetarian sources of collagen but eating a healthy diet will help boost your own collagen production.
How to treat a wound and help minimise your risk of scarring – PART 4: Try red light therapy to increase blood flow to speed up healing.
Try red light therapy
Red light and infrared have been proven to help boost collagen production and increase localised blood flow to speed up the healing process.
The better the lamps, the better the results obviously. Search for Healite, Medilux or Omnilux at professional joints.
Or, I you’re willing to invest at home, try the Lightstim or Omnilux brands (they also have the benefit of anti-ageing and the Omnilux is good for acne/rosacea too).
But you can get exposure from the original sources of infrared and red light during sunrise and sunset – as well as a boost to your Vit D. It’s usually a lower UV risk at this time too. Win win!
How to treat a wound and help minimise your risk of scarring – PART 5 – Use Endermologie to drain the tissue & prevent adhesions.
The medical Endermologie technique’s draining and de-fibrosing properties allow scars and burn scars to be painlessly worked on at an early stage.
First, it helps to eliminate waste so as to effectively drain the tissue and prevent the formation of scar adherences related to fibrosis.
Next, Endermologie stimulates natural collagen and elastin production to improve the healing process in order to ease pain and restore mobility. Thanks to medical Endermologie sessions, it’s possible to work on all kinds of scars and in many cases prevent the need for additional surgery.
We can work on: - Recent scars still showing signs of inflammation - Old scars - Surgical or traumatic scars - Burns, even after skin grafts - Post-caesarean - Scleroderma
There are many more treatment options available for more complicated scars, e.g. keloid scars. I’ll list them here, but if you’re concerned about an existing scar (or wound), it’s best to see your Doctor (who might refer you to a dermatologist or scar specialist) to discuss the best course of action.
1. Steroid injections.
2. Surgery (revision).
3. Laser treatment.
4. Cryotherapy.
5. Pressure therapy.
6. Silicone dioxide.
7. Radiation.
In this Coolsculpting trigger warning, we discuss the side-effects cool sculpting don’t want to talk about and suggest safer alternatives.
I’ve delayed reposting this as I know quite a few people personally who’ve had the procedure. Mostly with mixed results.
Some have noticed barely any difference. Some are sadly trying to live with Paradoxical Adipose Hyperplasia (PAH) (i.e. a thickening and expansion of the fat cells leaving to a gradual enlargement of the treated area – often in the rectangular shape of the applicator).
And I’ve known 2 people who’ve suffered significant skin burns. The latter sued the suppliers and signed non-disclosure agreements that mean they’re not allowed to discuss their side effects publicly.
Reading the comments on @dr.subbio‘s post – I’ve posted 9 pages of them here, but there are lots, lots more in his post – it seems these are far from isolated incidents. In fact, some of them are frankly horrifying.
Note that although I’m talking about Coolsculpting, there are lots of other machines out there that also use this form of cryolipolysis. I don’t think any are safer than others, despite what the manufacturers/salespeople tell you.
So please tread carefully as not all beauty treatments are safe.
Luckily, there are other options available such as zero risk Endermologie, liposuction and lifestyle changes. I’m always happy to discuss these options with you and spend time explaining how they work so that you can make an informed decision.
Endermologie is a non-invasive body sculpting alternative to coolsculpting, that has the added benefits of being a proven cellulite treatment (unlike coolsculpting). Endermologie massage therapy has been around for almost 40 years and has over 150 clinical trials to prove its efficacy and safety in body contouring, slimming treatments, lymphatic drainage, skin tightening and anti-aging treatments.
#endermologie #Alliance #LPG #ProvenResults #NonInvasive #FaceTreatment #BodyTreatment #beauty #sport #wellness #MuscleRecovery #FirmSkin #FatReducing #TargetFatLoss #CelluliteTreatment #ClinicalFacial
#IBS #Fibromyalgia
#PeninsulaEndermologie #MorningtonPeninsulaWellnessCentre #EndermologieNearMe #EndermologieExpert #MtEliza #AwardWinningSalon #MorningtonPeninsula
Guess who just got the latest vaccine booster? Yep, that’s Covid-19 booster x3 done and dusted. Have you had your booster yet?
Guess who just got the latest vaccine booster? Yep, that’s Covid-19 booster x3 done and dusted.
5th covid-19 vaccine dose to date.
This time with the bivalent Pfizer which covers an additional strain!
Notice the relationship between cold/flu season and mental health? You’re not imagining it. So be gentle with yourself if you’re not 100%
No April Fools here, just a “customer service announcement” that as we head into our winter/cold & flu season, it’s a good reminder to be gentle with ourselves, especially as we fight these bugs that can already take their toll on our mental health.
Thanks to @evidentiallyyou for explaining why you’re not imagining feeling really low when you have a cold, it’s 
BiOloGy
#MentalHealth#Cold#WinterFlu#Bleugh
[Ref: Pollak Y, Yirmiya R. Cytokine-induced changes in mood and behaviour: implications for ‘depression due to a general medical condition’, immunotherapy and anti-depressive treatment. Int J Neuropsychopharmacol. 2002 Dec;5(4):389-99]
It’s no surprise to us that the Endermologie Alliance was awarded NUMBER 1 AESTHETIC DEVICE for 2023 in the Professional Beauty magazine!
Thanks to @yvette.lpg.north for sharing this spectacular news!
Although LPG is no stranger to accolades in the medical and aesthetic world, it’s great to see it recognised by industry leaders too!
The LPG Endermologie Alliance device is listed as the number 1 aesthetic device for 2023 in the Professional Beauty magazine! 
And you’ll find this award-winning device right here @peninsula.endermologie
The LPG Cellu M6 Alliance Endermologie device is a medical-grade device that’s approved by the TGA for Cellulite treatment, Body contouring, Non-invasive body sculpting, Lymphatic drainage massage, Skin tightening, Anti-aging treatment, Massage therapy, Beauty treatments and Slimming treatment and so much more. Book your Consultation and Discovery treatment now to see what an Endermologie treatment can do for you.
#lpgendermologie #endermologie #bodysculptingtreatment #bodysculpting #cellulite #winnerwinnerchickendinner #Alliance
Professional Beauty Magazine talks about treating caesarean section scars with non-invasive Endermologie treatments.
On April 18th 2023, Professional Beauty Magazine Journalist, Kezia Parkins shared the following article (see link below, or click on the image to read the article on a new page.
https://professionalbeauty.co.uk/site/newsdetails/treating-caesarean-section-scars
I’ve copied it in its entirety here just in case the link won’t work:
Caesarean section, also known as C-section, is one of the most common and vital surgical procedures, helping to prevent maternal and neonatal mortality when a vaginal delivery would put the baby or mother at risk.
Named after Julius Caesar, who was said to be one of the first to be delivered this way, this invasive technique has been around for centuries, in which time technology and medical advancement have made them far safer and considerably less traumatic to the mother’s body.
So much so that the caesarean has also become an option for mothers who may not want to give birth naturally for various reasons. According to data from NHS Maternity Statistics, in the UK between 2018 and 2019, 52% of deliveries were spontaneous vaginal births, 11% had instrumental assistance, 15% were elective caesarean sections and 19% were emergency caesarean sections…
Still, the scar left after delivery, whether elective or emergency, can come with a host of impacts while healing both physical and mental.
“The scar may be seen as a constant reminder of the surgery, even though the event had a happy outcome (the baby). If the mother feels the scar is unsightly, she may be embarrassed or unhappy about undressing in front of her partner,” says Rachel Myers, senior aesthetician at 111 Harley St, London.
“The very nature of caesarean surgery can be traumatic for an individual, particularly if performed as an emergency procedure,” agrees Dr John Quinn, founder and clinical director at Bristol-based Quinn Clinics. “The remaining scar can be a visible reminder of the trauma experienced and can amplify the distress suffered.”
Lenka Anthony a clinic aesthetician working out of Tempus Belgravia in London believes there has been a mental shift in how patients feel about pregnancy scars with the rise in influencers doing more about empowering women and their bodies postpartum.
“However treatment is still popular for patients that want to see an improvement, in order to feel more like themselves,” she says.
The problem with caesarean scarring
Aside from any psychological or confidence issues that C-section scarring may cause, there are many physical and health reasons to work on these scars.
“Everybody heals differently and the body doesn’t always heal as it should. Poor wound healing can happen because of genetics or an underlying medical condition,” says Myers. “For example, diabetes or obesity can affect wound healing. This can lead to uneven healing or cause the incision to separate and open instead of joining together.”
The location of caesarean scars is also problematic, as finding something to wear – even underwear – while the scar is still healing can be really tough.
“Friction can cause inflammation very quickly, causing unpleasantness in both the appearance and feeling of the scar,” Paradis continues.
“Medically speaking, everybody agrees after two years nothing much else will happen,” explains France-based LPG expert and physiotherapist Natalie Paradis of the life cycle of a scar.
“But, in those two years, you could get a keloid or hypertrophic scar… You can have adherence and inflammation which can be very painful… Often the problem with C-section scars is adherence,” she continues.
“To deliver a baby from the uterus, C-section surgery cuts right through the dermis, hypodermis and muscles. After stitches, everything can become glued together, causing tugging and pulling. This is adherence and it can cause a lot of pain. With any scar, there is what you see on the surface, but there is also what you don’t see underneath.
“Adherence can go to organs… it’s like a web of fibres. Being so deep, fibrosis of C-section scars can grow to the uterus, around to the bladder or even all the way back to the rectum, creating a lot of dysfunction like pain, constipation, incontinence, urinary infections and sexual issues.”
The incidence of adhesion development after a first caesarean section varies from 46 to 65%, according to research, with adhesions becoming particularly thick and dense after several caesarean sections.
The fibrosis, scar and procedure itself can also really impact the body’s circulation and lymphatic system causing bloating, swelling, weight gain, cellulite and fluid retention, not just in the stomach but in the legs and other areas too.
“I always ask women who come in wanting a solution for cellulite or weight gain if they have had a cesarean,” she continues. “Women often have no idea how much it can affect other areas of their health.”
“Due to the build-up of scar tissue sticking to muscles or organs, some women experience symptoms related to their C-section scar long after the operation and can feel pain, restriction, or a pulling sensation on or around their scar months or even years after surgery,” says Myers.
The caesarean pouch/pooch
A C-section pouch or “pooch” refers to the extra skin or fat that gathers at the bikini incision line after a C-section and tends to be resistant to diet and exercise, which can be very frustrating.
“It’s caused by scar tissue left behind by your C-section scar,” says Myers. “In some cases, the way your body recovers after surgery can cause excess fat to find itself in your lower belly area.”
A pooch occurs when the C-section scar is anchored down to the core abdominal muscles. That makes the stretched-out skin of the belly and the fat above it more noticeable. When the layer of fat between the skin and the muscle is disrupted during the surgery, the scar is not able to move freely. As a result, the pooch or bulging belly appears.
“Women will come in after their C-section with a little ‘double belly’ that they want to get rid of but that is just the adherence,” says Paradis. “It is like an anchor pulling everything down… remove the anchor and the pouch disappears.”
Surgical treatment is widely used to treat adhesion of C-section scars and consists of cutting the scar along the original incision and releasing the adhesions between the subcutaneous fat and the abdominal wall muscle. However, these surgical treatments lead to a very high incidence of new adhesions and the formation of new scars.
Treatments for improving caesarean scars
Massage
Our experts recommend that the first thing to begin healing a caesarean scar is the use of silicone gel patches. Then, Paradis says that avoiding or undoing the adherence of the caesarean scar is important to free the mobility of the joints, organs and skin.
In France, the treatment of any caesarean scarring is built into a mother’s pregnancy plan.
“You usually have 10 sessions with a physio as part of a post-care programme,” explains Paradis. This can include anything from improving the strength of the pelvic floor or the massage of caesarean scars
Self-massage is often recommended to mothers after a C-section scar is well on the way to healing.” This may disrupt the fibrotic tissue and increase the pliability of the scar,” says Myers.
This should use comfortable pressure to move the scar but should not be painful. Gently massaging and applying pressure to the scar itself and the area around it will help loosen any scarring or fibrosis from the tissue.
Mechanical massage
As a physiotherapist, Paradis swears by LPG medical endermologie technology for breaking down fibrosis and improving lymphatic flow and healing.
Mechanical lipo-massage or endomassage technology harnessed by devices like LPG’s Endermologie use motorised rollers to grip and knead the skin for a massage deep in the tissue that helps to stimulate circulation and collagen production and reduce adipose tissue.
It targets the connective tissues, including skin, muscle, blood and lymphatic circulation, working to reactivate stagnant cellular activity below the skin’s surface and improve the appearance of cellulite, skin tone and scarring
“The device can do much more than what the hands could do alone. With this technology, there are many health benefits on top of improving the appearance of a scar – it works much deeper,” she says.
LPG offers a non-invasive approach to treating recent or old scars, thanks to a painless mobilisation of tissues. “It’s never too late to do something about it,” says Paradis. “Even 15 years after a C-section, you can still improve and break down that adherence non-invasively.”
Despite this, Paradis says earlier intervention is better, ideally once the wound has healed enough so that it is longer inflamed. It should be noted that the use of Endermologie for C-section scars requires specialist training.
Radiofrequency microneedling for caesarian scarring
“Scars and stretch marks created in the last six months respond well to laser treatments and especially well to microneedling and radiofrequency,” says Myers, who uses radiofrequency microneedling (RFM) device Potenza to treat scars and stretch marks.
“Combining both technologies ensures minimal downtime and the best results,” she says, adding that, ideally, women should treat their C-section scar within six to eight weeks with several treatments spaced out at a minimum of four weeks.
“Everyone’s scars are different, some with hyperpigmentation around them and some without. We aim to make the scar as thin as possible without any pigmentation around it that draws attention to it.
Scars are compact collagen from the body’s natural healing process protecting itself. The idea is to stimulate more elastin in the area and tighten the scar by stimulating it with fine needles and radiofrequency. It is a fast procedure, which is important for new mums”
Treating caesarian scars with laser
“There are various treatment modalities available, but in my opinion laser scar therapy is one of the most effective non-invasive ways to treat and improve the appearance of c-section scars to address skin texture and pigment as well as functional aspects,” explains Quinn.
“Ablative laser resurfacing has been proven to effectively treat scars and provide consistent and significant functional improvement as well as measurable cosmetic benefits. Fractional skin resurfacing is also proven to be effective on some surgical scarring and can effectively treat textural and pigment concerns.”
Ablative lasers generate beams of coherent light that the body’s tissue absorbs as energy. The energy is delivered through a narrow range of wavelengths, and in the target area, the energy causes temperature elevation, resulting in tissue evaporation or ablation.
The body’s natural healing processes then replace the damaged skin with new and healthy tissue.
“Although several types of ablative laser exist, differing mainly by wavelength, CO2 lasers have long been considered the industry’s ‘gold standard’ for ablation, delivering an exceptional ratio between ablation and coagulation (heating tissue without evaporating it),” continues Quinn, who uses the Lumenis Stellar M22 ResurFX fractional non-ablative device to significantly improve scar appearance.
Cryotherapy for C-section scars
Anthony says that the bottom line is that the correct treatment of a C-section scar varies from patient to patient however at Tempus Belgravia she typically would start off the cesarean scar treatment journey with the Gelida Cryo 21 device to aid the removal of any additional adipose tissue around the scar itself. “This treatment will also help to tighten the area which will both lift the skin around the scar as well as help to improve the appearance of the scar itself,” she says.
“I think it is amazing that we have this month of awareness for mothers who have had a C-section… the scar is not just an issue of aesthetics,” concludes Paradis who hopes for increased education and understanding around the health impacts of the procedure that can be greatly improved with non-invasive intervention.
Are you aware of the risks and side effects associated with Coolsculpting?
Good to see more awareness about the risks and side effects associated with Coolsculpting – and all similar cryogenic/fat-freezing treatments.
Click on the link below to read the article:
An interesting insight into how French women tend to view beauty and wellness treatments as one and the same. Explains why Endermologie is so popular in France.
French women, beauty and Endermologie. This is an interesting insight into how French women tend to view beauty and wellness treatments as one and the same. With “treatments geared toward better health and maintenance.”
As this writer says, her priority is to “feel comfortable in my own skin; to access that French ideal of etre bien dans sa peau.”
No walk-in high street injectable clinics are mentioned here. Just individually curated, highly specialised treatments that offer wellness as well as beautiful skin. Hence maintaining her twice-a-month Endermologe treatments (fascia massage).
No wonder Endermologie is so popular in France. And right here in Mt Eliza! Click here to make your booking now.
Click on the link below to read the article:
You know when you get a sore throat and you think “oh oh, I’m getting sick“, that’s your lymph system working to clear the infection.
You know when you get a sore throat and you think “oh oh, feels like I’m getting sick “, that’s your very efficient lymph nodes in your lymphatic system working on breaking down the pathogens and clearing the infection.
And they’re doing that even when you can’t feel it. It’s why we sometimes wake up a little puffier than usual. And it’s the reason I like to support the lymphatic flow with every treatment.
So, with an Endermologie facial, you’re getting more than great-looking skin, you’re also getting a lymphatic massage!
#endermologie #facial #lymphaticdrainage
Thanks to @stopchasingpain for the image and words below:
I’ve been educating you about Lymphatics for about five years now and I like to revisit fundamental concepts a lot. Wow how time flies. Feels like yesterday when I began my lymph journey
Here are a few fundamentals:
1. 
The Lymphatics remove toxins from your body. Bacteria, virus, parasites, fungus, inflammation, cellular waste. Stuff you don’t want hanging around in the body. Lymph needs to work for you to heal. And the neck is a huge player
2. Nature is smart. There’s a reason she put so much in your head and neck. She never does anything without a reason. Need to drain brain and the neck waste well for you to thrive.
3. Because the brain and neck are the drivers for motion if you have a lymph problem in your neck it may cause pain or movement issues anywhere in the body
4. The head and neck lymph only drain as well as the abdominal lymph. Think fluid flow pressure and nerve centers. All neck up issues need abdomen assessments. Write that down.
5. The deep neck lymph nodes next to throat help drain the brain toxins. If they are stagnated so is your brain. Whiplash injuries compromise deep neck node function. Always need to assess there with whiplash and posterior neck pain. Always
Hope to see you at our lymphatic mojo webcast soon or learn our self help video. Your life will change when your lymph flows like it was designed
Re-posted with thanks to@lipoedemaaustralia
June is Lipoedema Awareness Month.
Do you have any of these symptoms?
If you’re concerned that you may have Lipoedema and want a second opinion, or have a diagnosis and are looking for an effective treatment. I can help. Book your consult and discovery treatment here.
If lymphatic circulation is compromised, we store excess fluid & toxins which exacerbates lipoedema. That’s why Endermologie is a wonderful treatment for Lipoedema.
This is the last repost from @lipoedemaaustralia and it’s a topic that’s very close to my heart! They recognise that lymphatic circulation has a huge impact on our bodies ability to metabolise fat. If our lymphatic circulation is compromised, our body will store excess fluid and toxins in fat cells which exacerbates lipoedema.
Endermologie is clinically proven to be THE BEST lymphatic massage. So start here. But there’s lots more you can do to help from home to too:
• @lipoedemaaustralia WHAT HELPS TO STIMULATE THE LYMPHATIC SYSTEM
There’s a number of activities you can do that will stimulate your lymphatic system and these can be done with both limited time and limited mobility.
– Deep/diaphragmatic breathing
– Lymph node massage at neck, armpits and groin
– Movement (of any sort). Try not to be still for too long – tapping a foot or jiggling a leg works. Big body movements are great!
[@peninsula.Endermologie: Rebounding on a trampoline is one of the best]
– Elevation of the affected body part (movement while elevated is even better)
What activity do you enjoy most that stimulates your lymphatic system?
#lipoedemaaustralia #lipoedema #lipedema #lippy #awareness #lipoedemaawareness #lipoedemaawarenessmonth
It’s a good idea to get a little more serious about nutrition this time of year.
It’s been over a month since I shared these tips in my monthly e-newsletter. If you’d like to get these tidbits as soon as they come out, let me know and I’ll add you to my mailing list.
Foods to support immunity and your skin during winter:
I’m sure I’m not the only one who starts to notice my skin suffer as soon as the weather turns cold. The cold early morning walks, followed by hot showers, heating and less discipline with drinking water is a dodgy combination. That’s why I start to get a little more serious about my nutrition this time of year. As well as my daily collagen, omega 3, Vit D and multivitamin supplements, I start to incorporate some more of these foods into my diet.
KEEP IT SPICY
Warm winter soups, roast veggies, casseroles and tasty chai teas lend themselves so beautiful to spices like garlic, ginger, cloves, cinnamon, cardamom, black and white pepper.
Garlic just made headlines for supposedly “killing” Covid and the flu with “99.9% efficacy”. Although the findings are still inconclusive, it does contain ‘allicin’ which is known to be antiseptic, antibacterial, and anti-fungal. And because of its anti-inflammatory and circulation-boosting properties, it’s also a great win for your skin.
Ginger’s magical compounds ‘gingerols’ and ‘shogaols’, are also anti-inflammatory, helping to reduce redness and puffiness. And together, these spices are excellent to reduce cellular damage caused by oxidative agents like the highly reactive and damaging compound malondialdehyde.
Clove and cardamom are said to help reduce pimples and dark spots, while cinnamon and both white and black pepper are said to boost overall blood circulation and metabolism.
FUN FAT FACTS
Thank goodness we’re long past the days when fat was demonised for being the main culprit for weight gain. Now, all of the research recognises that “healthy” fats are essential for wellbeing, and great skin! “Healthy” fats = polyunsaturated fats = Omega 3s.
Omega 3s are proven to support the skin’s natural oil barrier, keeping it plump and hydrated. They’re also to reduce overall inflammation. You’ll find Omega 3s in fish like salmon, mackerel and herring (which are great sources of Vit E too by the way). And for vegetarians, walnuts and flax seeds are the bomb.
I can’t talk about fun fats and not mention avocados. Studies have shown a direct correlation between eating avocados and “springier, more youthful skin”. Do you need another reason to indulge?
GO GREEN
Green leaves really are nature’s gift. Veggies like kale, mustard leaves and spinach are packed with vitamins and minerals. Kale contains 4 times more Vit C than spinach, but spinach is no slouch with an average serve (100g) containing about C, 34% of our daily recommended amount. And then there’s the Vit E, Vit A, Vit K, selenium, beta-carotene, iron, potassium, calcium, and magnesium that you’ll benefit from when you enjoy these leafy greens too.
FRUITY FRESHNESS
Think it’s a “co-inky-dink” that grocers are stocked with loads of gorgeous citrus fruits at this time of year? Or does Mother Earth know that we all need our Vitamin C to support good health, immunity and glowing skin just as winter arrives?
Tuck into lemons, oranges, tangerines, grapefruits, limes and kiwi fruits. OK I know kiwis aren’t technically citrus, but one kiwi does provide a crazy 230% of our daily recommended intake of Vitamin C, so I can’t not mention it! And if you’re not a citrus or kiwi fan, then the humble cauliflower and brilliant broccoli are great sources too.
THE REST OF THE EQUATION
As well as upping the ante in terms of choosing great immune-boosting foods, don’t forget the rest of the equation. And I literally mean ‘rest’. Studies have proven that just like those bears that need to hibernate, us humans also need more sleep in the winter.
And as always, finding that balance of activity is vital. Consistently partaking in exercise that we enjoy is good for our minds, bodies and souls.
ENDERMOLOGIE
And remember that a relaxing Endermologie treatment will reduce any pain or stiffness the cold weather can create in your joints and muscles. In addition to loosening those muscles, Endermologie treatments increase your blood circulation, to warm you up and lymphatic circulation, to boost your immunity.
Upgrade your daily walk
Some pretty good tips in here to upgrade your (daily) walk!
Read the story here:
The Cellu M6 Alliance® – winner of “Best Advanced Body Treatment”
Thanks to @lpgendermologie_uk for sharing LPG Endermologie’s latest win!
The incredible Cellu M6 Alliance® and endermologie® technique were awarded the prestigious title of “Best Advanced Body Treatment” at the @theattractabeautyawards, held at exclusive @claridgeshotel, where the top 10 highest scoring Haute-Beauty winners were invited to receive their prize.
Held under the “Beauty is Integrity” tag line, the @theattractabeautyawards are the pinnacle of recognition for the beauty industry. This incredible achievement demonstrates our commitment to innovation and excellence in the beauty industry, and we are immensely proud to be recognised as the leaders in advanced body care technologies.
We would like to extend our gratitude to the judges for granting us this incredible honour: @attractabeauty, @abigailjames1, @sararaeburn, @dr_catharine_denning_cosmetics, @theresa_yee, as well as the rest of the jury who couldn’t be present at the Haute-Beauty Awards Ceremony.
Congratulations to all the winners!
#LPGUK #Endermologie #AttractaBeautyAward #BestBodyTreatment #TransformYourBody #AwardWinningBeauty #lpg #Endermologie #BodyContouring #CelluliteTreatment #SkinFirming #SkinHealth
The Conversation covers the lymphatic system, one of the most fundamental system of our bodies.
I can’t describe how excited I am to see attention being brought to one of the most fundamental, yet most ignored, system of our bodies. This is a good read if you have 2 minutes:
P.S. Endermologie is proven to be 3x more effective and 3x more efficient than manual lymphatic massage for conditions like secondary lymphoedema.
Pre-op Endermologie ensures a more successful outcome. Post-op, it reduces inflammation, bruising & helps to reduce fibrosis and scar tissue.
Thanks to @lpgendermologie_america for sharing.
Did you know endermologie® has other uses than cellulite reduction or age defying?
It’s also widely used before and after surgery.
Pre-op Endermologie helps the body prepare for the procedure and to ensure a more successful outcome.
Post-op, it speeds up recovery time by reducing inflammation, bruising and helping to reduce fibrosis and scar tissue.
Remember to get your doctor’s approval!
#endermologie#endermologieresults#surgery#beforeandafter#endermologieforwomen#body#results#bodyendermologie#beauty
Endermologie in The Mayfair Times Magazine
Thanks to natalie.ogretici for sharing this latest news feature.
LPG® featured in The Mayfair Times Magazine! 
writen by Sophia Charalambous, the article highlights the increasing demand for treatments that cover health, beauty, and wellness, and LPG® is leading the way!
Renew and Rejuvenate: endermologie® was originally developed as an advanced beauty treatment to activate dormant cells and create smoother and rejuvenated faces and bodies, leaving clients feeling fantastic inside and out!
The Cellu M6 Alliance®: Combining Medical and Aesthetic Expertise!
LPG® has taken innovation to new heights with the incredible Cellu M6 Alliance®. This incredible device is transforming the beauty industry by targetting not just the skin but also the fascia, muscles, ligaments, tendons, organs, and even bones. That’s not all! The Cellu M6 Alliance® can increase circulation by 400% for up to six hours!
The Intelligent Head: Customised Treatments Like Never Before!
The Mayfair Times Magazine highlights insights from LPG® expert @NathalieParadis, who introduces us to the “Intelligent Head.” This patented technology offers a range of settings that enable highly personalised medical and beauty treatments, perfectly tailored to each patient’s individual needs.
Stay tuned for more exciting updates as we continue to lead the way in the world of health, beauty, and wellness! 
#LPG#endermologie#CelluM6Alliance#BeautyInnovation#HealthandWellness#PersonalisedTreatments#MedicalAesthetics#RevolutionaryTechnology#TheMayfairTimesMagazine#BreakingNews
Body Contouring. Have you done your research? Over the next few days we’ll look at what the research says about body contouring.
Has anyone else been inundated with offers from franchise-operated beauty ‘shops’ offering discounted body contouring treatments? I’m so over it!
It’s not unexpected in this entirely unregulated industry, but I do find it disturbing. Many of these places take payment for treatments without any consultation, and I dread to think about how many people are choosing treatments that are entirely unsuitable for their needs.
At best it’s a waste of money, at worst, signing up for the wrong treatments could lead to serious long term side effects.
I’ve started creating a comparison chart to help people decipher the difference between these treatments. Who’s interested in seeing it?
#bodycontouring #slimming #FatLoss #WeightLoss #SkinFirming #Cellulite #SkinTone
In this Body Contouring Comparison summary we’ll look at which treatments work for fat loss, skin firming and cellulite.
Here it is folks. My Body Contouring Comparison summary.
As with all beauty treatments, it’s good to ask plenty of questions to make sure you know what you’re really getting. In this country (Australia), medical devices are registered by the Therapeutic Goods Association (TGA) and companies who supply & distribute these machines have to abide by a code of conduct.
However, by the time they get into the hands of practice/salon owners, there’s very little accountability.
So, I urge you to do your research before undertaking any body contouring procedure. It may not be as straightforward as you’ve been led to believe.
First off let’s look at how they work for some of the major concerns people who seek out body contouring present with, i.e. fat loss, cellulite, skin firming and when the technology was approved for these indications and brought to market.
Continuing the summary of Body Contouring Comparisons, we look at how each technology works (or doesn’t)!!
In this Body Contouring Comparison we compare what parts of the body can be treated with each body contouring device.
In these slides we compare what parts of the body can be treated with each body contouring device.
In this body contouring comparison chart we look at the number of treatments required and how often they’re required.
In this body contouring comparison chart we look at the number of treatments required and how often they’re required.
It’s important to know what you’re signing up for when it comes to any body contouring or face contouring treatment. See side effects here:
It’s important to know what you’re signing up for when it comes to any body contouring or face contouring treatment. Treatments can be called ‘non-invasive’ or ‘minimally invasive’ if surgery isn’t required, however, it’s absolutely possible to do damage at, or below skin level with some of these devices. And many of the newer technologies just don’t have enough data yet.
As privately-owned enterprises, some of these machine manufacturers can also ‘hide’ reported side effects for long periods of time, by compensating their affected clients and getting them to sign non-disclosure agreements. That’s why I think these 2 slides are THE most important when it comes to making your choice. Some people are happier to take a risk of side-effects in order to achieve slightly faster results, but many, like me are more cautious and prefer a well-researched, safer approach.
These last slides look at Body contouring costs and any contraindications (i.e. who’ not suitable for these treatments).
A good overview of inflammation: its causes, effects and what we can do to help. Sisson didn’t mention lymphatic massage as it’s not his focus, but take my word for it (and a hundred or so clinical trials) that Endermologie can also help to reduce acute and chronic inflammation.
Lipedema is reported to start or worsen during puberty and other periods of hormonal changes, such as pregnancy and menopause.
Shared with thanks to: @lipedema_fndn
Lipedema is reported to start or worsen during puberty and other periods of hormonal changes, such as pregnancy and menopause.
Lipedema knows no boundaries – Depending on the person, different parts of the body can be affected in different ways.
In the next week or so, I’ll share more facts about this insidious disease that’s still very much misunderstood and under diagnosed. As well as some tips to help manage the condition.
Lipoedema is a chronic medical condition characterised by a symmetric buildup of adipose tissue (fat) in the legs & arms.
Shared from @lipedema_fndn Lipedema (or Lipoedema) is:
A chronic medical condition characterised by a symmetric buildup of adipose tissue (fat) in the legs and arms
A common but under-recognized disorder
A condition that may cause pain, swelling, and easy bruising
NOT obesity or lymphedema
#LipedemaResources #LipedemaWarrior #LipedemaSymptoms #lipoedema #lipedema #endermologie #peninsulaendermologie
Common symptoms of Lipoedema are pain, swelling,bruising, heaviness, fatigue, and impaired mobility as well as reduced quality of life.
Thanks to @lipedema_fndn for the image.
Several common physical symptoms help characterize #Lipedema, including pain, swelling, easy bruising, leg heaviness, sensitivity to touch, cold legs, fatigue, and impaired mobility.
Other symptoms include compromised mental health and quality of life.
#QualityOfLife #LipedemaAwareness #LipedemaWarrior #LipedemaFacts
There are 12 better-known signs of Lipoedema. The first is that lipoedema usually presents (first) in the legs and they become disproportionately larger than the rest of the body.
Although lipoedema is often under-diagnosed or misdiagnosed, there are several characteristics that make a clinical diagnosis easier.
The first is that lipoedema usually presents (first) in the legs. And over time become disproportionately larger than the rest of the person’s frame.
This image is reposted from @lipoedemaaustralia and is the clever work of French Artist @fc.lipoedeme in her series “The 12 signs of lipoedema “.
#lipoedemaaustralia #lipoedemaawarenessmonth #lipoedema #lipedema
The 2nd sign of Lipoedema; heavy legs. People with lipoedema often have to live with that heaviness every day, all day.
Most of us know that feeling of heavy legs when we get to the end of a long day. It’s exhausting.
People with lipoedema often have to live with that heaviness every day, all day.
There are some treatments that offer relief, such as Sequential Intermittent Pneumatic Compression (like a pair of boots or a full body suit that pumps the lymphatic fluid upwards) – followed up by the wearing of compression garments.
There’s also the good old raising/elevating your legs against a wall. And manual lymphatic massage, or better still an Endermologie massage (faster and more efficient than manual massage).
This image has been reposted from @lipoedemaaustralia and was created by talented French Artist @fc.lipoedeme in her series: “12 signs of Lipoedema”.
The 3rd Sign of Lipoedema is that there is little response to diet & exercise, so advice to lose weight can be very misleading & frustrating.
Many people with lipoedema report that their doctors have advised them to manage their condition by losing weight – often followed by the old adage “Eat less and move more”.
Although it’s always beneficial to eat a healthy (unprocessed) diet and do plenty of daily exercise, it’s very difficult to lose weight from the affected limbs when you have lipoedema.
This image has been reposted from @lipoedemaaustralia and was created by talented French Artist @fc.lipoedeme in her series: “12 signs of Lipoedema”.
12 signs of lipoedema include: larger lower body, heavy legs, resistance to diet/exercise, cellulite, sore skin, bruising and much more.
This the final post I’ll share from the excellent series “The 12 signs of Lipoedema” by @fc.lipoedeme. And it’s the one that’s the most familiar to me.
So many people with lipoedema present to me saying they’ve got “really bad cellulite”. Sometimes I’m pretty positive their condition is not one of the 3 classifications of cellulite (adipose, aqueous or fibrotic), although it presents very similarly to fibrotic cellulite.
It’s knowing these other 12 signs of lipoedema that makes a diagnosis much easier – though only your registered medical professional can help you with that diagnosis.
To summarise, the 12 signs of lipoedema are:
Upper body is smaller than lower body
Legs feel heavy and swollen
Diet and exercise doesn’t help much
There’s an “orange peel” texture that looks like cellulite
The skin is sensitive to touch and uncomfortable when pressure is applied
Unexplained bruising is common
The swelling stops at the ankle with a cuff-like appearance
Fat accumulates on the knees – usually on the inside first
Then fat pads accumulate under the knees
Extra fat deposits on the outer thighs in a saddle-bag appearance
Legs lose definition and look like columns
Upper arms can increase in size and as the skin tone decreases, it can cause a “bat wing” effect
AND, JUST TO BE SUPER-THOROUGH, THERE’S ONE MORE SIGN THAT’S SOMETIMES FORGOTTEN, AND ITS THAT THERE’S OFTEN REDUCED HAIR GROWTH IN THE AFFECTED LIMB.
Note. You don’t have to have each of these signs to be diagnosed with lipoedema and not everyone will have all of these signs. Although lipoedema is a progressive disease, there are ways to manage the condition to prevent some of these signs from happening.
Find out more info from @lipoedemaaustralia. Or go straight to @fc.lipoedeme to see the rest of her series from the “12 signs of Lipoedema”.
There’s a big difference between normal fat & lipoedema fat. In Lipoedema the fat cells become hard and nodular.
Shared with thanks to @az_lipedema_warrior
There is a drastic difference between normal fat and lipedema fat. Lipedema fat is created due to fluid that sits in the tissues that should not be there. Therefore, it becomes inflamed and due to the chronic inflammation it becomes fibrotic. Fibrotic means it’s full of scar tissue. So the fat cells become hard and nodular, therefore they are diseased and defective. They are not able to be metabolically burned like regular fat.
A person who has lipedema has normal fat throughout their body, but also has lipedema fat. The normal fat can be lost through diet and exercise, but the lipedema fat cannot.
Due to the hard nodular nature it causes pain when touched and it presses on blood, lymphatic vessels, as well as nerves and impairs those systems.
Managing Lipoedema is easier with some lifestyle adjustments, such as exercise, diet, managing stress and support groups.
In the last week or so I’ve shared resources helping you to understand what Lipoedema is, what the 12 signs of lipoedema are, and how it’s diagnosed.
In this series of slides I’ve briefly described some lifestyle choices that can help you manage the condition. And over the next few days, I’ll share some more specific “treatments”.
If I’ve forgotten anything or you have any specific questions, please just shout!
Show your lymph some love – Deep diaphragmatic breathing helps to stimulate lymphatic circulation and relieve symptoms of lipoedema.
Deep breathing can help the flow of the lymph fluid through the body. It works by changing the pressure in your tummy and chest, encouraging the lymph fluid to flow back into the blood system. Here’s how to perform deep diaphragmatic breathing:
1. Sit or lie in a comfortable place. Close your eyes.
2. Place one hand on your chest and one hand on your abdomen. The bottom hand should do the moving. The top hand should remain still or only move as the bottom hand moves.
3. Inhale through your nose for about 4 seconds, feeling your abdomen expand. (You may feel slight tension the first few times you inhale.)
4. Hold your breath for 2 seconds.
5. Exhale very slowly and steadily through your mouth for about 6 seconds. The mouth should be relaxed.
6. Repeat for 5-15 minutes.
When first learning diaphragmatic breathing, it is common to feel some uneasiness or lightheadedness. Quicken your breath if you feel light headed. After a session of diaphragmatic breathing, allow yourself time to adjust to your surroundings — do not stand up too quickly.
Diaphragmatic breathing is an excellent tool for relaxation, but it is a skill that requires practice. With practice it becomes easier over time, and eventually can be done with eyes open, while sitting, standing or even walking or driving.
Lymph love – Dry skin brushing has been used since ancient times to encourage the flow of lymph and improve lymphatic circulation.
As well as being a great exfoliant, dry skin brushing has been used since ancient times to encourage the flow of lymph. Lymph fluid is made up of extra fluids that drain from cells and tissues, as well as proteins, minerals, fats, damaged cells, and pathogens. Lymph moves through lymphatic vessels, organs, and nodes by piggybacking on the movement of the blood circulation and the pumping action of deep breathing and muscle movement.
However, if there isn’t enough pressure, lymph can’t flow the way it should. This causes fluid to collect in your arms and legs, leading to oedema (swelling). This in turn can lead to other conditions like lymphoedema.
Dry skin brushing improved surface circulation and will help move the lymph from the skin tissues towards your deeper lymph nodes for effective filtration and fluid balance.
Lymph love – Endermologie for Lipoedema helps reduce the appearance of lumpy/ swollen areas, relieve swelling, heaviness & improve mobility.
LPG, the creators of Endermologie, are world leaders in the science of connective tissues – aka fascia! As a result, Endermologie therapy is the best fascial release therapy.
Endermologie therapy will help to reduce the appearance of lumpy or swollen areas, enhancing overall body contouring, relieving swelling, heaviness and improving mobility.
P.S. if you’re new here, Endermologie is a mechanical massage therapy. It’s painless, non invasive and proven to work by over 150 clinical trials.
Lymph love – Manual lymphatic drainage is a gentle hands-on massage that should be performed by a certified MLD therapist.
The thing to know about manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) massage is that it should be performed by a certified MLD therapist.
Lymphatic drainage appears to be having its moment of fame recently which is very well deserved, but that means we tend to see some charlatans taking advantage of the “in” thing and adding it to their service, even without the necessary training.
When performing a MLD, it’s important to have a good understanding of the lymphatic system, so please make sure you do your due diligence before opting for a MLD massage with just anyone.
A MLD massage is a very gentle massage with mostly long strokes across the body in a light pressure and some attention given to the large collection of lymph nodes in areas like your neck, collarbones, armpits, tummy, groin and behind the knees. A MLD massage should NOT be painful.
Lymph love – Compression garments are useful to reduce pain and heaviness felt in the limbs by decreasing swelling.
Properly fitted compression garments are useful to reduce pain and heaviness felt in the limbs by decreasing swelling.
Its also thought that compression might potentially reduce the rate at which the fat cells grow and this might prevent lipoedema from progressing to more serious stages.
There are many suppliers of compression garments in Australia, but it’s definitely worth asking around to find someone who has experience in helping you find the right fit, for example, Breast Care Vic recommends a nurse on their site: https://breastcarevictoria.com.au/…/post-surgery…
#lipoedema#lipedema#lipo#lippy#lipedemaawareness#compression#compressiongarments#lipoedematreatment#Endermologie#endermologieforlipoedema#EndermologieExpert#MorningtonPeninsula#MedicalEndermologie#Endermotherapie#heavylegs#lightenlegs#oedema#painrelief
Lymph love – compression pump therapy is worn over the affected limbs, or entire body to push lymph fluid to the centre of the body.
Yesterday, we looked at compression garments, today, I’m suggesting compression pump therapy to help relieve some of the symptoms of lipoedema.
These pumps are like “sleeves” that you wear over the affected limbs, or entire body that are connected to a pump that pushes air into the sleeve, causing the “sleeve” to tighten on your skin. It usually works by squeezing from the most outward part of the limb first and then gradually squeezes the excess lymphatic fluid towards the centre of your body. It feels like a nice tight hug! Oh La La!
You’ll find them in recovery centres (e.g. locally in @theprivatesea), some gyms and they can be hired or purchased for at home use.
I’ve seen them at ridiculously cheap prices on Alibaba (search ‘professional therapy recovery boots’), but can’t vouch for their quality, so looking local is probably a better option!
Fibromyalgia news. Fibro linked to gut issue? Although by no means conclusive, it shows the effect of gut microbes on inflammation and health
This is by no means conclusive, but demonstrates -again- the effect of gut microbes on inflammation and health.
Managing Lipoedema. The recommended surgery for lipoedema a a specialised type of liposuction called water-assisted liposuction (WAL).
Scroll across for more details about the recommended surgery for lipoedema – a specialised type of liposuction called water-assisted liposuction (WAL).
Here in Australia we have one or two surgeons in each state that specialise in this surgery.
If you’re considering the procedure, then I recommend joining lipoedema support forums online and getting feedback from prior patients who have undergone surgery who can give you personal feedback on their experiences.
Then follow up with a consultation with a surgeon (cost is usually around $350) to make sure you’re a suitable candidate and that you’re comfortable that they can answer all of your questions and alleviate any concerns.
Some questions to ask:
1. What actions do they recommend you take prior to surgery to help you get the best results and support recovery (e.g. Endermologie massage, arnica supplements, etc)
2. What is the expected post op recovery like, e.g.:
– How long with you be required to stay in hospital?
– How long should you wear your compression garments?
– What pain relief do they recommend?
– When can you go back to work?
– When can you start exercise again?
– What are their tips for a speedy recovery? Etc.
3. Costs
4. Timelines
5. Known side effects/complications and how they manage them.
6. Do you need to stop taking any current medications?
7. Will you require antibiotics or any other meds to help your recovery?
8. Suggested pre-op reading material.
9. Expected outcomes?
10. How many surgeries they recommend?
11. And anything else that comes into your mind…Don’t be afraid to ask questions as every person experiences the procedure differently. For example, if you have another condition, such as Fibromyalgia, discuss how this might trigger a larger pain response and how you can manage that.
Lipoedema vs lymphoedema. This post from @lipedema_fndn is great at explaining the differences between lipoedema and lymphoedema.
I think this will need the last post Re lipoedema from me for a while, but this is a useful one as many people are confused about which condition they might have. This post from @lipedema_fndn is great at explaining the differences between lipoedema and lymphoedema.
If you have any other questions, please just DM!
Knowing the difference between #Lipedema and #Lymphedema is important in advocating for yourself and talking with your physician or specialist.
Take a look above – Did you learn something new?
Stress and immunity. Being stressed can wipe you out—and it’s exhausting for immune cells, a study by Salk Institute scientists explains why.
Being stressed can wipe you out—and it’s exhausting for immune cells, too. A new study by Salk Institute scientists explains why. They discovered a relationship between the body’s sympathetic stress response (“fight-or-flight”) and the activity of killer T cells fighting cancer.
When the body is stressed, the sympathetic nerves produce noradrenaline; T cells effectively tune in to the noradrenaline instead of fighting cancer, getting worn out in the process.
The research will help scientists better understand why stress makes us sicker, and intervene on behalf of our weary immune system. Source: The Abstract @elysiumhealth
How stress shows up in the body. Here’s some of the signs of stress that we might be ignoring, or putting down to other causes:
Yesterday’s article showed the link between chronic stress and reduced immunity. Which isn’t great!
Many of us are great at recognising when it’s all getting too much, but I think some of us are so busy paddling our little legs to stay afloat that we don’t stop to recognise that or busy lives are creating a huge amount of stress in our bodies. Here’s some of the signs of stress that we might be ignoring, or putting down to other causes:
Thanks to @doctor.paria this gem:
Chronic stress makes a MAJOR impact on the body. when it goes unregulated, it messes with the way our adrenals put out our stress hormones, it can mess with inflammatory signaling pathways, and it can alter gene expressions (via epigenetics).
In the long run, we can see how it can negatively impact our health. for example, chronic stress can be a risk factor for autoimmune diseases!
The image shows some of the ways that stress can show up in the body.
Disclaimer: this is not medical advice, only health education.
#hpaaxis#cortisol#adrenalfatigue#chronicstress#stressmanagement
How to reduce stress… balance blood sugar, replenish nutrients, sync with natural rhythm, calm inflammation, & sooth your nervous system.
Shared with thanks to @goodnesslover
Ready to say goodbye to adrenal dysfunction? Here are some small, powerful habits that get to the root of the issue. 
Balancing blood sugar, replenishing vital nutrients, syncing with your natural rhythm, calming inflammation, and soothing your nervous system – these steps
are your way out of survival mode. They help restore the HPA axis, heal your adrenal glands, and ease those stress-related symptoms
Take the leap into a healthier, more balanced you
P.S. An Endermologie lymphatic massage will help too!
