Day: June 12, 2023

We are delighted to announce that Certified Lymphatic Therapist Jeff Shelt, MOTRL, CLT-LANA, CWT, has joined the Miller Vein family. 

A Certified Lymphatic Therapist is trained in specialized care for lymphatic disorders such as lymphedema and lipedema. They understand the lymphatic system’s structure and function, allowing them to identify and address any underlying medical conditions that could potentially contribute to these ailments. 

Miller Vein is the first vein practice in Southeast Michigan to have a Certified Lymphatic Therapist on staff. 

“We are so excited to have Jeff join our team. He comes to us with years of experience treating lymphedema, lipedema, and related conditions,” said Jeffrey Miller M.D., founder, and CEO of Miller Vein 

“It’s such a wonderful opportunity to join Miller Vein. My desire is to spread the awareness of the lymphatic system and the conditions that can occur with it,” Jeff says, “I am excited to bring my knowledge and experience of treating Lymphedema and Lipedema to the team.  My goal is to provide optimal care for each individualized patient who is diagnosed with these conditions”.    

Jeff received his Master of Occupational Therapy from Baker College of Graduate Studies in Flint.  He became a Certified Lymphedema Therapist from the Academy of Lymphatic Studies (ACOLS) and advanced his education with a LANA certification from the Lymphology Association of North America.  Jeff has become a Certified Wound Therapist from the International Lymphedema & Wound Training Institute.    

Lymphedema happens when lymphatic fluid builds up abnormally in the body’s lymph nodes. These nodes are in the neck, underarm, chest, abdomen, and groin. Unfortunately, there is no cure for lymphedema, but Certified Lymphedema Therapists (CLT) can help by focusing on reducing swelling and preventing complications. CLTs have a deep understanding of the lymphatic system and use their knowledge to provide specialized Lymphedema Therapy to patients. 

To become the best at treating lymphedema, CLTs can get certified by the Lymphology Association of North America (LANA). LANA is an organization that supports healthcare professionals who diagnose and treat lymphedema and related disorders. It is a non-profit corporation that offers internationally recognized certifications to these professionals. 

The idea of creating LANA came after the American Cancer Society Lymphedema Workshop in 1998. The workshop recommended establishing certification guidelines to ensure that specific treatments and facilities meet the highest standards. LANA brings together medical professionals with different areas of expertise to form a group dedicated to helping patients with lymphedema. These professionals work to assess, plan, and provide therapeutic interventions to improve the functioning of the lymphatic system and enhance patients’ overall quality of life. 

Obtaining the CLT-LANA® certification is a remarkable achievement for healthcare professionals in the field of lymphology. It shows their leadership, commitment, and expertise in this specialized area. Professionals who hold this certification have demonstrated their high level of competency and dedication to advanced learning. They are truly devoted to providing exceptional care to individuals with lymphedema and related disorders. 

By earning the CLT-LANA® certification, healthcare professionals can demonstrate their expertise and dedication to their patients. This certification serves as a symbol of their commitment to delivering the highest standard of care in the field of lymphology. Patients can trust that professionals with this certification have undergone rigorous training and are well-prepared to provide effective treatments and support for lymphedema and related disorders. 

Lipedema is a condition that is often misunderstood and mistaken for obesity. It mostly affects women and is characterized by the painful accumulation of fat in the lower body. Traditional methods like diet and exercise don’t usually work well for managing symptoms. However, recent scientific studies have found a potential solution: the ketogenic or keto diet. Let’s talk about the evidence that supports managing lipedema with the ketogenic diet. 

Lipedema is different from regular weight gain because the fat builds up in the lower body in a disproportionate and excessive way. Normal diets for weight loss often don’t help much, but studies have shown that a ketogenic diet can make a difference. A ketogenic diet is low in carbs and high in healthy fats, and it puts your body into a state called ketosis. This means your body starts using stored fat for energy, which may reduce the excessive fat build-up seen in lipedema. 

One of the challenges of lipedema is the pain and discomfort it causes. Surprisingly, adopting a ketogenic diet seems to help with the pain, even if you don’t lose much weight. While losing weight can make some symptoms better, research suggests that the pain relief from a keto diet isn’t just because of weight loss.  

Lipedema is also connected to problems with the lymphatic system, which can make the condition worse. But a ketogenic diet stimulates a process called ketogenesis, which can improve the health of your lymph vessels and how they transport fluids. This means that a keto diet may help the lymphatic system work better, which could reduce swelling and fluid retention in the affected areas. 

Inflammation and fibrosis are two factors that make lipedema worse over time. When you’re on a ketogenic diet, your body produces a substance called beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), which has anti-inflammatory properties. BHB helps reduce inflammation by interrupting things that cause stress to your body. By addressing inflammation and possibly limiting fibrosis, a keto diet may benefit lipedema sufferers. 

There is promising evidence that a ketogenic diet can help manage the symptoms of lipedema. Unlike traditional weight loss methods, a keto diet has the potential to target excessive fat build-up, relieve pain, improve lymphatic function, and reduce inflammation associated with lipedema. While a link between the ketogenic diet and lipedema are still being studied, adopting it could be a promising approach for people who want relief from the symptoms and the negative impact on their quality of life caused by this condition.