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Practice
Acu. | Issue #30 | Spring 2021
EveryBodyCan… get to know the BLS Recently freed up from her duties as chair of the BLS Scientific Committee, BAcC Fellow Beverley de Valois is now working to build bridges between the BLS and the BAcC.
Beverley de Valois BAcC Fellow: Middlesex
The British Lymphology Society (BLS) is a dynamic and innovative body providing a strong professional voice and support for those involved in the care and treatment of people with lymphoedema and related lymphatic disorders, including lipoedema. As well as seeking to achieve high standards of care and equitable access to treatment across the UK, the BLS aims to promote professional standards in lymphoedema care and treatment. You could say that the BLS is to lymphoedema what the BAcC is to acupuncture in the UK.
What is lymphoedema?
Lymphoedema results from a failure of the lymphatic system. Consequences are swelling, skin and tissue changes and predisposition to infection. It most commonly affects the arms or legs, but may also affect other parts of the body such as the head and neck, trunk, breasts or genitalia. It may be: • primary, that is, an abnormality in the lymphatic system present from birth or • secondary, that is, resulting from damage to a normally functioning lymphatic system: damage may be caused by surgery, trauma, radiotherapy or infection in areas that are rich in nodes and vessels, for example the axilla, groin, pelvis and around joints It is a chronic condition for which there is currently no cure and requires specialist management.
Why should acupuncturists be interested?
Lymphoedema affects 400,000 people in the UK. This exceeds UK prevalence
rates for Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, and HIV. One in five women treated for breast cancer will develop lymphoedema, as will one in two women treated for vulval cancer and one in three men treated for penile cancer. As well as being associated “Lymphoedema “Lymphoedema with other cancers doesn’t stop me doesn’t stop me doing such as melanoma and doing a lap or two of leg flexes while watching head and neck cancers, the pool each week” the football” lymphoedema is a condition that affects people with vascular disease and other chronic diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS). So, acupuncturists are probably seeing What is EveryBodyCan? many people with lymphoedema. EveryBodyCan is the BLS strategic In general, the condition is campaign; its 2020 theme was ACTIVITY. underdiagnosed, not well understood, The campaign sought to reassure and often inadequately treated. It will patients and practitioners that becoming give the acupuncture profession an more active is beneficial for people advantage if they can recognise with lymphoedema. It emphasised the condition, know when to that regardless of ability and baseline refer, and develop working fitness, there is something enjoyable partnerships with that EVERYBODY can do to improve the lymphoedema specialists performance of their lymphatic system. and clinics. We should As part of the 2020 campaign, I want to become part of presented a paper ‘Lymphoedema the multidisciplinary Acupuncture Activity’ at the 7th management of this National Lymphoedema Conference in distressing condition. London in February (remember those free and easy pre-Covid days?). This was based on research I did some years ago What can investigating the use of acupuncture acupuncturists do? and moxibustion to improve wellbeing While the evidence for and self-management for people with whether acupuncture lymphoedema. I wanted to revive can treat lymphoedema is the findings of this study, to make inconclusive, there is so much lymphoedema professionals aware we have to offer. As we all know, of how having acupuncture improves acupuncture is amazing for managing wellbeing, increases energy and chronic conditions. People with motivation, and helps people to become lymphoedema can experience many more active in their self-care 〉 https:// unpleasant symptoms in addition to tinyurl.com/1h41n8qc swelling and tissue fibrosis, including discomfort, sleep problems, lack We can see this from these patient of confidence, lack of motivation, testimonials: depression – all of which can be ‘I’ve joined Weight Watchers, I’m addressed by acupuncture. One of the best ways to stop lymphoedema from developing or getting worse is to keep moving. There are lots of easy ways to build safe movement into your day. Go to thebls.com to find the one that’s right for you. #EveryBodyCan
One of the best ways to stop lymphoedema from developing or getting worse is to keep moving. There are lots of easy ways to build safe movement into your day.
PLATINUM SPONSOR
Go to thebls.com to find the one that’s right for you. #EveryBodyCan
PLATINUM SPONSOR
