Call for lymphatic health awareness
Seeing family and friends doing it tough during cancer treatment spurred Lisa O’Shea to expand her massage therapy skills to deliver oncology massage.
That opened her eyes to the specialised field of the lymphatic system and, with further studies, Lisa is now a qualified Lymphoedema Practitioner.
In 10 years, Lisa has gone from offering a mobile service through Logan to running her own clinic, Lymphatic Health and Massage, in Browns Plains.
‘I got into lymphatic work when my friend got a brain tumour. I wanted to be able to help her through her oncology journey,’ Lisa says.
‘The lymphatic system plays an important part in our health, yet there seems to not be enough awareness of its importance.’
Lisa is keen to share her insight to increase the community awareness of lymphatic health, with now being the ideal time due to June being Lipoedema Awareness Month.
‘Lipoedema predominately affects women, and it is thought one in 10 women suffer from this condition,’ Lisa explains.
‘It is a common condition that is often misunderstood, misdiagnosed, and is usually passed off as obesity.’
Lisa explains that lipoedema and obesity are not the same, and there is currently no cure.
She describes lipoedema as a chronic condition that causes painful fat accumulation, primarily in the legs and arms.
‘There are too many women in our community who are suffering from this painful condition and not being heard,’ Lisa says.
‘Lipoedema Month is an opportunity to increase public understanding and awareness of the chronic condition, and encourages early diagnosis, promotes research and supports those living with the condition through education and advocacy.
‘By shining a light on lipoedema, the goal is to improve care, reduce stigma, and empower individuals with the knowledge they need to seek help and manage their health.’
Lisa says her passion is for her clinic to provide her clients with a ‘safe space’ to receive treatment.
The clinic treats those with lymphoedema, lipoedema, oedema, post-surgery recovery, sinus, those doing a detox regime and improving general health. Along with lymphatic massage, it also offers a Lymphatic Pump Room and medical compression garments.
Lisa says she loves it when her clients tell her it helps not having to drive to the Gold Coast or Brisbane for treatment.
‘After all, my job is to make people feel better,’ Lisa says.
PHOTO AT TOP: Lymphoedema Practitioner Lisa O’Shea shows how it’s done in the Lymphatic Pump Room at her Browns Plains clinic, Lymphatic Health and Massage, to create awareness for Lipoedema Awareness Month.