Lymphoedema
Assessment

Living with swelling can feel uncomfortable, frustrating, and sometimes worrying. A lymphoedema assessment helps us understand what’s happening in your body and create a plan that supports you to feel more comfortable, confident, and in control.

What is a Lymphoedema Assessment?

A lymphoedema assessment is a comprehensive appointment designed to evaluate your lymphatic system and identify the cause and extent of your swelling. The lymphatic system plays an important role in fluid balance, immune function, and overall health. When it isn’t working as well as it should, fluid can build up in the tissues, leading to swelling, heaviness, and discomfort.

This assessment helps determine whether your swelling is lymphoedema or related to another condition, such as lipoedema, venous insufficiency, post-surgical swelling, or general fluid retention. Understanding the cause ensures you receive the most appropriate and effective care.

We also assess the stage and severity of lymphoedema (if present), which helps guide treatment decisions and allows us to monitor changes over time. Early assessment and intervention can make a significant difference in preventing progression and improving long-term outcomes.

What to Expect During Your Assessment

Your assessment is detailed and tailored to your individual situation. We aim to create a relaxed, respectful environment where you feel comfortable discussing your concerns.

During your appointment, we will:

Listen to your history and concerns
We will talk with you about when the swelling started, how it has changed over time, and how it affects your daily life. We will also review relevant medical history, including surgery, cancer treatment, injuries, infections, and any family history of swelling conditions.
Assess your symptoms
We will discuss sensations such as heaviness, tightness, aching, or fatigue in the affected area. These symptoms can provide important clues about how your lymphatic system is functioning.
Take measurements of the affected area
We use gentle and accurate measuring techniques to assess swelling. This may include circumference measurements or other assessment tools. These measurements provide a baseline so we can track your progress over time.
Examine your skin and tissue health
We will assess your skin condition, tissue texture, and any changes such as thickening, dryness, or areas of firmness. Healthy skin is an important part of managing lymphoedema and reducing infection risk.
Assess movement and function
We may assess your mobility, joint movement, posture, and how the swelling impacts your ability to perform everyday activities such as walking, working, or exercising.
Understand your goals
Everyone’s experience is different. We will discuss what matters most to you — whether that’s reducing swelling, improving comfort, returning to exercise, or feeling more confident in your body.

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 Lymphoedema Assessment

Many people delay seeking help because they are unsure if their swelling is serious or if anything can be done. Early assessment can make a significant difference.

A lymphoedema assessment can help:

Identify the cause of your swelling.
Detect lymphoedema in its early stages.
Prevent swelling from worsening over time.
Reduce discomfort, heaviness, and tightness.
Improve movement and daily function.
Provide reassurance and clarity.
Help you access appropriate compression garments and treatment.
Give you practical tools to manage your condition confidently

You don’t have to manage swelling alone — support and effective treatment are available.

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.