NDIS Services for Lymphoedema Patients: Expert Care at Melbourne Massage and Treatment

Lymphatic System Image

Lymphoedema is a chronic condition that can cause swelling, discomfort, and a range of other symptoms, typically in the arms or legs. It’s often the result of damage to the lymphatic system, either through surgery, radiation, or other health conditions. For many people living with lymphoedema, managing the symptoms can be challenging. However, with the right care and treatment plan, individuals can experience significant improvements in their quality of life.

In Melbourne, the Melbourne Massage and Treatment Clinic in Fitzroy North offers specialized care for lymphoedema patients through its NDIS (National Disability Insurance Scheme) services. Led by Giovanni, a skilled practitioner in lymphoedema management and myotherapy, the clinic provides essential treatments that help manage and reduce the symptoms of lymphoedema.

Understanding Lymphoedema and the Importance of Treatment

Lymphoedema occurs when lymph fluid builds up in the tissues, causing swelling and restricted movement. This condition can be secondary to cancer treatment (such as surgery or radiation), infections, or congenital defects in the lymphatic system. While there is currently no cure for lymphoedema, with the right treatment, symptoms can be managed, and flare-ups minimized.

Managing lymphoedema typically involves a combination of therapies, including manual lymphatic drainage (MLD), Complete Decongestive Therapy (CDT), exercise, and skin care. These approaches help reduce swelling, improve circulation, and prevent further complications. Proper care is crucial for maintaining long-term health and mobility.

NDIS Support for Lymphoedema Treatment

NDIS Logo

For individuals living with lymphoedema, accessing specialized treatment can often be a barrier due to cost and availability. This is where the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) comes in. The NDIS provides funding for people with disabilities to access essential services that help improve their daily lives and overall well-being. For those with lymphoedema, NDIS funding can be used to cover the costs of treatment and management, including therapies like lymphatic drainage massage, myotherapy, and other allied health services.

At Melbourne Massage and Treatment, Giovanni offers NDIS-approved services that cater specifically to lymphoedema patients. As a skilled myotherapist, Giovanni uses a combination of hands-on techniques to relieve the symptoms of lymphoedema. His holistic approach helps patients not only manage their swelling but also reduce pain, improve mobility, and enhance their overall quality of life.

Myotherapy and Its Role in Lymphoedema Management

Myotherapy is an effective therapeutic technique used to treat muscular pain and dysfunction. It involves manual therapy, massage, and exercise prescription to relieve pain, improve movement, and restore function. In the context of lymphoedema, myotherapy can complement other treatments by targeting the muscles and soft tissues surrounding the swollen areas, helping to improve lymphatic flow and reduce fluid retention.

Giovanni’s expertise in myotherapy makes him uniquely qualified to treat lymphoedema patients. By combining myotherapy with other lymphoedema treatments, such as manual lymphatic drainage and compression therapy, Giovanni provides comprehensive care that addresses the condition from multiple angles.

Services Offered at Melbourne Massage and Treatment

Melbourne Massage and Treatment in Fitzroy North is a trusted clinic for those seeking NDIS services for lymphoedema. The clinic offers a range of treatments designed to help manage and improve the symptoms of lymphoedema, including:

1. Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD): A gentle, hands-on technique that stimulates the lymphatic system to promote the movement of lymph fluid, reducing swelling and improving circulation.

2. Combined Decongestive Therapy (CDT): The use of compression garments or bandages to prevent further fluid buildup and promote the efficient movement of lymph fluid through the body.

3. Mobilisation: A myotherapy hands on treatment that aims to improve the joint mobility, that would improve your capacity of movement.

4. Exercise Prescription: A tailored exercise program designed to improve lymphatic circulation and prevent muscle stiffness and atrophy.

5. Skin Care and Education: Advice on proper skin care to prevent infections and skin breakdown, which can be a common concern for those with lymphoedema.

Why Choose Melbourne Massage and Treatment for Lymphoedema Care?

At Melbourne Massage and Treatment, Lymphoedema Clinic, Giovanni’s approach to lymphoedema care is based on a deep understanding of the condition and its impact on daily life. The clinic is committed to providing personalized, compassionate care to every patient, ensuring that they receive the support they need to manage their lymphoedema effectively.

The clinic’s NDIS services ensure that patients can access high-quality treatment without the financial strain that can often come with ongoing medical care. With Giovanni’s expertise and the clinic’s holistic approach to lymphoedema management, patients can experience a noticeable improvement in their symptoms, making it easier to manage their condition and enjoy a better quality of life.

Get Started with NDIS Services at Melbourne Massage and Treatment

If you or a loved one is living with lymphoedema and is seeking NDIS support for treatment, Melbourne Massage and Treatment in Fitzroy North offers expert care that can help. Giovanni’s personalized approach ensures that each patient’s treatment plan is tailored to their specific needs, and with the NDIS funding, these services are made more accessible.

To learn more about how Giovanni and the team at Melbourne Massage and Treatment can help you manage your lymphoedema symptoms, or to book now a “15 minutes free initial consultation appointment” or visit the clinic’s website to contact Giovanni directly.

By offering NDIS services specifically designed for lymphoedema patients, Melbourne Massage and Treatment provides a vital resource for those in need of expert care. With the right treatments and ongoing support, lymphoedema patients can lead more comfortable, healthier lives.


Giovanni La Rocca

Giovanni moved to Melbourne, Australia, from Italy in 2008 and became a citizen in 2017. He started studying massage therapy in 2016, then completed a Bachelor of Health Science in Clinical Myotherapy in August 2024. During those years, he also specialised in Thai Massage and Manual Lymphatic Drainage for presentations like Lipedema and Lymphoedema. Nowadays, he runs his clinic in Fitzroy North, Melbourne, where he integrates movement therapy into his practice to enhance overall well-being. He also values meditation, having completed several Vipassana courses. Committed to continuous learning, he aims to share his expertise in integrated therapies to help others achieve balance and resilience.

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Arm Lymphoedema Quiz

Based on the original document - Piller,NB (2006) Lymphoedema Research unit Department of surgery, Flinders Medical Centre, Bedford Park, South Australia,  5042 (Adapted and reprinted with permission). This guide is designed as an educational aid-based primary on experience, no evidence in literature.

1. More than 10 nodes removed from armpit
2. Radiotherapy to armpit area
3. More than 2 infections (redness) in the limb per year
4. Whole of Breast Removed (Mastectomy)
5. More than 2 but less than 10 nodes removed from armpit
6. Radiotherapy to chest/breast area
7. Fluids drained from wound more than 1 week
8. Infection at the wound site
9. One infection (redness) in the limb per year
10. Heaviness, tightness or tension in the limb at times
11. Frequent cuts/scratches to the limb
12. Dry skin
13. Part of Breast removed
14. 1 or 2 nodes removed from armpit
15. Limb feels different as the day progresses

OTHER PROBLEMS WHICH MAY ADD TO RISK

16. Body weight is very high (obese)
17. Surgery was on side of dominant hand
18. Generally experience high stress levels
19. Generally have high non-controlled blood pressure
20. Body weight is a little high (overweight)
21. Frequent long distance air traveler
22. Previous or current other injuries to limb/shoulder
23. Thyroid gland activity is not normal and not medicated
24. “At risk” limb is used for repetitive actions
25. Often carry heavy loads for long periods using “at risk” arm
26 Smoking is currently part of my life
27. Swelling was present in limb prior to surgery

What to do now?

  • If you are at LOW RISK, then you will benefit from a range of appropriate educational literature that may be able to even further reduce the risk of developing lymphoedema.

  • If you are at MODERATE or HIGH RISK, then the educational materials will also benefit you. Ideally, if you are in these categories, you should have a non-invasive assessment (Bio-impedance spectroscopy or Tissue Dielectric Constants) to determine if there are already some fluid accumulations in your "risk" limb.

Independently of your level of risk, Giovanni offers 15-minute Online Consultation to better guide you on how to manage this presentation, or prevent any degeneration.

Book your free 15-minutes online consultation now.

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Lipedema Quiz

This is not a diagnostic tool but only a guide.
To learn more about the Lipedema presentation, contact Giovanni by sending the result, or booking a free 15-minute online consultation. Be sure to include your full name and email address in the form below (At the end of the quiz).

If you prefer to contact Giovanni anonymously, call with a private number at 0449790781.

Texture of fatty tissue may feel granular and/orfibrotic
Symmetrical, disproportionate accumulation of fatty tissue (refer to picture on the Lipedema page)
The waist may be small in proportion to thighs, buttocks, and legs
Cuffs or bulges may develop around joints (e.g. ankles, knees, elbows, wrists). Feet remainunaffected unless lymphoedema is a comorbidity
Legs are often hypersensitive to touch and pressureand may feel cold
Affected areas may bruise easily with minimaltrauma
Patients describe affected areas as sore, painful, heavy, swollen and tired
Symptoms can worsen in hot weather, during orafter exercise, standing or sitting for long periods
Fat pads, which can be tender or painful, accumulate on the upper outer thighs, inner thighs, and around the knee area, can cause abnormal gait,and contribute to joint pain
Filling of the retromalleolar sulcus
Hypermobility
Soft, thin skin with loss of elasticity. Skin can havea lumpy appearance.
Non-pitting oedema and negative Stemmer’s sign on feet and hands in the absence of coexisting lymphoedemaPitting oedema is when by appling pressure to the area with a finger, for more than 60 seconds, you get left an indentation in the skin.
Difficulty losing weight from affected areas despite exercise, modified diet or bariatric surgery. If well-directed, these measures may help reduceinflammation and co-existing obesity if present
Abnormal nerve sensations
Pain on blood pressure check (larger cuff may berequired)
Relatives with similar body shape or fat distribution

Out of 17 questions, the number above, tells you how many symptoms applies to you. The more symptoms, the more luckily you are suffering from a Lipedema presentation. Get in touch with Giovanni now, via the form below, for further understanding on how to manage Lipedema presentation.

Reference list

This quiz is a reproduction of a flyer from the association Lipoedema Australia.
The reference list is Adapted from 1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12, 13,14[1] , 16, 18 and available here (PDF).

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Leg Lymphoedema Quiz

Based on the original document - Piller,NB (2006) Lymphoedema Research unit Department of surgery, Flinders Medical Centre, Bedford Park, South Australia,  5042 (Adapted and reprinted with permission). This guide is designed as an educational aid-based primary on experience, no evidence in literature.

1. More than 10 nodes removed from the groin
2. Radiotherapy to the groin/pelvic area
3. Average of more than 2 infections (cellulitis) in the limb per year
4. Dry or scaly skin on lower legs/feet
5. More than 2 but less than 10 nodes removed from groin
6. Fluids drained from wound more than 1 week
7. Infection at the wound site after surgery
8. Average of one infection (cellulitis) in the limb per year
9. Frequent cuts/scratches to the limb
10. 1 or 2 nodes removed from the groin
11. Heaviness, tightness or tension in the limb at times
12. Limb feels worse as the day progresses

OTHER PROBLEMS WHICH MAY ADD TO RISK

13. Family history of leg swelling
14. Frequent long distance air/bus/car traveler
15. Previous or current other injuries to legs, ankles or feet
16. Limb is most often in a dependant position (standing)
17. Generally experience high stress levels
18. Generally have high blood pressure
19. Thyroid gland activity is not normal and not medicated
20. Diabetic but controlled by diet or medication
21. Diabetic uncontrolled
22. Some varicose veins or spider veins
23. Many varicose veins or spider veins
24. Prior varicose vein stripping and scars
25. Smoking is currently part of my life
26. Body weight is a little high (overweight)
27. Body weight is very high (obese)
28. Diet is rich in animal (omega 6) fats
29. Swelling was present in limb prior to surgery/radiotherapy

What to do now?

  • If you are at LOW RISK, then you will benefit from a range of appropriate educational literature that may be able to even further reduce the risk of developing lymphoedema.

  • If you are at MODERATE or HIGH RISK, then the educational materials will also benefit you. Ideally, if you are in these categories, you should have a non-invasive assessment (Bio-impedance spectroscopy or Tissue Dielectric Constants) to determine if there are already some fluid accumulations in your "risk" limb.

Independently of your level of risk, Giovanni offers 15-minute Online Consultation to better guide you on how to manage this presentation, or prevent any degeneration.

Book your free 15-minutes online consultation now.

Save as Draft

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