Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost?

For private pay clients, $125 per session not including supplies, garments, ect.

Do you take insurance?

Rowen is currently accepts patients with Medicare part B insurance.

What is lymphedema?

Lymphedema is an abnormal accumulation of protein rich fluid that occurs because lymphatic vessels or nodes have been damaged or formed incorrectly. Lymphedema is a common side effect of cancer treatments such as node removal or radiation. There are many other causes of lymphedema.

Factors that contribute to lymphedema include:

  • surgery and/or radiation therapy

  • infections

  • venous insufficiency

  • venous stasis ulcers

  • renal failure

  • cardiac conditions

  • diabetes

  • obesity

  • sedentary lifestyle

  • cancer

  • trauma to lymphatic system

What is lipedema?

Lipedema is a connective tissue disorder that causes disproportionate fat tissue deposition usually from hips to ankles or hips to knees. Lipedema is not lymphedema but often coincide because lipedema can cause stress on the lymphatic leading to a condition called lipo-lymphedema. Lipedema almost exclusively occurs in individuals assigned female at birth.

How is lymphedema treated?

Complete Decongestive Therapy (CDT) consists of manual lymphatic drainage message, compression therapy, fitness recommendations, skin care, and prevention education to help you self-manage your condition.

Can lymphedema be “cured”?

There is no cure for lymphedema but it can be successfully managed through self-care techniques taught in lymphedema therapy to avoid the most severe complications.

Where does lymphedema develop?

Lymphedema usually affects arms or legs but it can also develop in any area of the body. After cancer treatments, for example, lymphedema can develop in the breast, chest, underarm due to breast cancer, or abdomen, genital area due to pelvic or lower extremity cancer, and in the neck and face.

Lymphedema can develop due to other conditions that place a strain on the lymphatics including lipedema, chronic venous insufficiency, and congestive heart failure.

What are the complications of lymphedema?

The lymphatic system is essentially the garbage disposal of our body so when lymphatic fluid is stuck between the cells, that fluid is the perfect medium to grow bacteria. This causes a high risk for infection. If you have lymphedema, any time an infection may be suspected, immediate attention is demanded as these infections can be dangerous. The most common infections in people with lymphedema are cellulitis and erysipelas. Always keep skin clean and hydrated to avoid possible infection and always be looking out for the signs and symptoms of infection.

S/S of infection include:

  • increased pain

  • increased erythema (redness)

  • increased temperature (skin feels hot to touch)

  • weeping/open area

  • increased swelling

  • fever or flu like symptoms

*if you are suspecting an infection, please consult with your doctor or go to an urgent care/ER for immediate medical attention.