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The Adelaide Lymphoedema Clinic was established in 1987 by Michael
Mason, who is a member of the International Society of Lymphology (ISL)
and a past president of the Australasian Lymphology Association (ALA).
He was the first physiotherapist in Australia to treat lymphoedema
patients with Complex Physical Therapy (CPT) and has regularly run
training courses for allied health professionals on the treatment and
management of lymphoedema in Adelaide and Sydney.

Situated at 29 Warwick Street, Walkerville, South Australia, the Clinic is
just 4 kilometres north-east of the Adelaide city centre. Here, patients
are assessed individually and treated according to their condition, age
and general state of health.

Complex Physical Therapy (CPT) is still the most effective non-invasive
and safest treatment of lymphoedema in the long and the short term
worldwide.

The treatment is not a cure for lymphoedema. There is no known cure.
Treatment is designed to reduce the swelling, improve the lymphatic
drainage and increase the mobility of the limbs, thereby relieving the
pain, aching, heaviness, tightness and discomfort and improving the
patient's well-being and ability to lead a normal life. The treatment also
includes education of the patient about the nature of the condition and
how best to live with the problem. (For more information on these
procedures, see "What is the treatment for lymphoedema?").

At the completion of the treatment, patients are fitted with a
compression garment in the form of a sleeve/glove or stocking to
maintain the improvement gained from the treatment and control the
oedema. The amount of improvement gained from the treatment varies,
depending on a number of factors such as whether the lymphoedema is
primary or secondary, the length of time it has been present, whether the
oedema is soft or hard and the age of the patient. To date, the average
reduction in oedema is in excess of 70% for both arms and legs.

Patients are re-assessed periodically and supplied with new compression
garments. A further course of treatment is given if necessary.