Clínica Planas creates the Unit for the Integral Treatment of Lymphedema and reinforces its commitment to the treatment and research of this pathology. The objective of this new unit is to approach the procedures beyond multidisciplinarity, with the latest techniques and advances, treating the medical aspects and those that affect the daily life of those affected.
One of the most innovative treatments incorporated by Clínica Planas is the Godoy Method. This method consists of a system of advanced physiotherapy for the treatment of lymphedema from a conservative and non-surgical point of view. This treatment combines different techniques, in order to correct and improve lymphatic circulation to achieve a normalization of lymphedema in the short term and in the long term achieve a volume reduction of approximately 50-80%.
What is the Godoy Method?
The Godoy Method is based on a global lymphatic therapy that is divided into:
Manual therapy
Manual therapy together with lymphatic drainage helps the absorption of lymph into the lymphatic capillaries, so that it is subsequently transported, thus achieving the evacuation of lymphatic fluid, and therefore reducing edema.
Mechanical stimulation
Mechanical devices perform passive exercises on the extremities of the body, which promotes the transport and evacuation of lymph from the affected areas.
Containment therapy
The goal of therapy is to reduce the volume and fibrosis of edema with custom-designed compression garments that can be adjusted to fit the patient’s needs.
Cervical stimulation
Cervical stimulation is performed at the level of the clavicle and has a neurological effect on the lymphatic system, activating it systemically. It is essential in the treatment of lymphedema in children.
How is it performed?
Each of the treatments is performed in a personalized and intensive way, adapting the patient’s needs to achieve the best results. Depending on the demands of the patient, there are three programs:
- Intensive reducing program: it is an outpatient program that consists of combining the 4 techniques mentioned for 5 days. The sessions last about 4 hours.
- Maintenance program: its objective is to maintain during the year the reduction achieved in the intensive program.
- Post Surgery Program: consists of reducing the recovery time after surgery and minimizing the after-effects.
What are the benefits of the Godoy Method?
- Reduce the volume of the limb
- Increase the transport capacity of the venous and lymphatic vascular system.
- Decrease fibrosis
- Improve articular mobility of the limb
- Skin care
- Decrease pain
- Improve scarring
- Prevent disease progression
- Functional rehabilitation of the affected limb
- Reintegrate the patient in their personal, social and work areas improving their quality of life.