Lymphoedema and Oncology Services

Treatment for Lymphoedema

Lymphoedema refers to swelling of the body’s tissue, and most commonly affects the arms and legs. It can develop after surgery, radiotherapy, with weight gain or alongside other health conditions.

At Six, we can help you manage the symptoms of lymphoedema using simple and manual lymphatic drainage (SLD and MLD). This service is delivered by our team of Oncology Specialists whose aim will be to minimise the impact of lymphoedema on your quality of life.

After taking a full patient history and thoroughly assessing your symptoms, we will provide a diagnosis and treatment plan which incorporates:

• skin care and management
• advice on specialist compression garments and bandaging
• a personalised management plan tailored specifically to you

We currently offer this service at Six Physio Ashley Cross in Dorset. Please call us on 01202 749 514 to book an appointment or find out more.

Oncology Massage

This is an adapted form of massage that can benefit people with cancer at any point in their journey, whether at diagnosis, during medical treatment, when in remission, or through palliative care with a terminal diagnosis.

Oncology massage uses safe and non-invasive techniques that are specifically adapted for individuals of all ages and all types of cancer.

Your Specialist Massage Therapist will take various factors into account to inform the type of massage they provide, including:

• Low blood cell counts
• Blood clots
• Bone metastases
• Radiation or surgery
• Fatigue
• Nausea
• Bone pain
• Medications
• Medical devices (venous access devices, drains, pumps, shunts, collection bags)
• Delayed effects of treatment

Research shows that massage can relax your mind and body, whilst improving wellbeing and reducing side effects caused by cancer treatments. It can benefit you by:

• Relieve tension and pain in muscles and soft tissues
• Improve circulation
• Reduced pain and fatigue
• Decreased anxiety
• Less nausea
• Improved sleep
• Eased feelings of isolation
• Greater sense of wellbeing
• Improve Peripheral Neuropathy

Please call our Ashley Cross front of house team on 01202 749 514 to discuss your needs and arrange a massage appointment.

Before your appointment, we’ll send you an online pre-screening questionnaire to gather information about your diagnosis and symptoms, to help us tailor your session to your unique needs. During your visit, you will have a brief consultation to discuss areas of focus and specific techniques that will be used.