Lipoedema
Assessment

Living with lipoedema can feel uncomfortable, frustrating, and at times confusing. A lipoedema assessment helps us understand your symptoms and what’s happening in your body, so we can create a plan to support your comfort, confidence, and long-term wellbeing.

What is a Lipoedema Assessment?

A lipoedema assessment is a comprehensive evaluation designed to determine whether your symptoms are consistent with lipoedema — a chronic condition that causes abnormal fat distribution, typically in the legs, hips, buttocks, and sometimes arms.

Lipoedema is often symmetrical and can be painful or tender to touch. It does not respond in the same way as typical weight gain and is commonly misunderstood or misdiagnosed.

During your assessment, we evaluate the pattern of tissue changes, associated symptoms, and any signs of secondary lymphoedema (sometimes called lipo-lymphoedema). Identifying the correct condition is essential to ensure you receive appropriate support and management.

What to Expect During Your Assessment?

Your appointment is detailed, respectful, and tailored to your individual experience.

During your assessment, we will:

Discuss your history
We’ll talk about when you first noticed changes in your body, any hormonal triggers (such as puberty, pregnancy, or menopause), family history, and how your symptoms have progressed over time.
Review your symptoms
We will ask about tenderness, pain, heaviness, easy bruising, swelling, fatigue in the legs, and how these symptoms affect your daily life.
Assess tissue characteristics
We examine the texture and distribution of tissue, checking for typical features of lipoedema such as nodular fat, symmetrical distribution, sparing of the feet or hands, and cuffing at the ankles or wrists.
Check for associated swelling
We assess whether there are signs of fluid accumulation alongside fat changes, as some individuals develop secondary lymphatic involvement.
Measure affected areas
Measurements may be taken to establish a baseline and help monitor changes over time.
Understand your goals
Your experience matters. We’ll discuss what you would like to achieve — whether that’s reducing discomfort, improving mobility, feeling more confident, or learning how to better manage flare-ups.

Your
Personalised Management Plan

Following your assessment, we will develop a management plan tailored specifically to your needs, lifestyle, and goals. This plan is designed to help reduce swelling, improve comfort, and support long-term control.

1 / Education and self-management strategies

You will learn practical techniques to help manage your swelling at home, including positioning, movement, and daily care strategies that support your lymphatic system.

2 / Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD)

This is a gentle, specialised hands-on technique that helps stimulate lymphatic flow and encourage fluid movement away from swollen areas.

3 / Compression therapy

If appropriate, we may recommend compression garments or bandaging. Compression helps support the tissues, prevent fluid from building up, and maintain improvements.

3 / Exercise and movement guidance

Specific exercises can help activate the muscle pump and support lymphatic flow. We will guide you on safe and effective ways to stay active.

3 / Skin care advice

Healthy skin is essential in lymphoedema management. We will provide guidance to help protect your skin and reduce the risk of infection.

3 / Ongoing monitoring and support

Lymphoedema is a chronic condition, but with the right support, it can be managed effectively. We will work with you over time to adjust your plan as needed.

Why Book a Lipoedema Assessment?

Many women live with lipoedema for years without answers. An assessment can:

Provide clarity and validation.
Differentiate lipoedema from lymphoedema or general weight gain.
Help prevent progression and secondary complications.
Reduce discomfort and heaviness.
Improve mobility and quality of life.
Support body confidence and understanding.
Provide access to appropriate compression and treatment options.

You deserve to be heard and supported — not dismissed.

Do you need a Referral?

Private Clients do not need a referral from your general practitioner (GP) or other medical specialist to book in for a Lipoedema Appointment.

If you are eligible for the Chronic Disease Management (CDM) plan, your GP must write a referral to receive Lipoedema appointment.

Please Note that these can only be used with Our Lymphoedema Physiotherapists.

Aged Care clients that have a Home Care Package will require appropriate documentation and referral from their GP or care coordinator, in line with their funding arrangements.