Shin Splints

The term ‘shin splints’ is a catch-all phrase for lower leg pain that occurs below the knee, usually on the inner edge of the tibia (‘shin’ bone).  Medial tibial stress syndrome is the most common cause of shin pain.  This pain originates from an inflammation of the outer layer of the tibia and/or the connective [...]

Lymphedema: Treatment

The treatment for Lymphedema is called Complex Decongestive Therapy (CDT). This is a gentle, non-invasive therapy that has been used in Europe for over 70 years.  It is a cost-effective treatment to reduce swelling of the limbs, decrease risk of infections (Cellulitis), and halt the progression of the condition. Complex Decongestive Therapy includes:

Manual Lymph Drainage (MLD) [...]

Tendinitis & The Ankle

Tendinitis is an inflammation of the tendon. Tendinitis of the ankle can involve the Achilles tendon, the posterior tibial tendon, or the peroneal tendon. This condition usually results from trauma but can result from underlying inflammatory diseases or illnesses such as reactive arthritis (formerly called Reiter’s syndrome), rheumatoid arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis. All forms of [...]

Lymphedema: Possible Signs & Symptoms

Mostly a person’s History, Observations, Measurements, Signs and Symptoms diagnose Lymphedema. These include:

Swelling of a limb or body part.
Swelling that is pitting in nature (pressure leaves an indentation (pit) that slowly fills in again).
Swelling worsens over time.
Sensation of heaviness and fatigue in the swollen limb.
A dull aching in the limb.
Repeated episodes of infection (Cellulitis).
Clothing or Shoes [...]

Lymphedema: Many Possible Causes

Lymphedema is when an area of the body swells due to the collection of lymph fluid. This can be any part of the body: arm, foot, leg, breast, abdomen, head, face, chest wall, genitals…The lymph fluid builds up when the lymph system has in some way become impaired.  Causes of an impaired Lymph System include:

Treatment [...]

Lymphedema: What is the Lymph System?

Many have never heard of the Lymphatic System, let alone Lymphedema.  So before talking of Lymphedema we need to take a look at what the Lymph System is and how it works.
When we take a look at the body from the outside in, we have our skin, just below that is our layer of fat, [...]

If The Shoe Fits…

Foot pain affects over 80% of seniors.  Pain with our feet can be the first sign of more serious medical conditions such as arthritis, diabetes, and nerve and circulatory disorders.  These more serious conditions need to be properly evaluated by a physician and treated medically.  But, a study in 2005 found that a lot of [...]

Ankle Sprains and Fractures

Ankle sprains are one of the most common musculoskeletal injuries. Sprains are injuries to the ligaments of the ankle, causing them to partially or completely tear as a result of sudden stretching. They can occur on either or both of the inner and outer portions of the ankle joint. Ankle sprains more commonly happen when [...]

“Travel Toes” and “Bucket Seat Back”

Are you traveling for Spring Break?  Planning to visit family over the holidays or out to “see the world?”  Traveling by car or plane translates into sitting in a cramped space for possibly an extended period of time.  One common travel consequence is swelling of the lower legs.  Try these simple exercises to keep your [...]

Daylight Savings = Sleep Debt

When our circadian rhythms are disrupted by setting the clock forward or traveling east, our bodies don’t have time to adjust.  Your old bedtime of 10:00 PM is now 11:00 PM; the effect is that you are going to be “earlier.” Your biological clock becomes confused which may make it difficult for you to get [...]