ALBEMARLE — Those seeking treatment for lymphedema, a medical condition where swelling is caused by a buildup of lymph fluid in the body between the skin and muscle, now have an option in Stanly County.
In early April, Healthy Lymphatics opened up at Albemarle’s Burleson Square, where occupational therapists Lindsey Saltmarsh and Anik Tabor specialize in lymphatic swelling and wound treatment.
The county’s first-ever lymphatic clinic, celebrated its ribbon-cutting open house event with the Stanly County Chamber of Commerce on April 25.
“We’re here today with Healthy Lymphatics, located at 1548 NC Hwy 24/27 in Albemarle,” said Erica Church, president and CEO of the Stanly County Chamber of Commerce.
“We’re here today with owner Carmen Albu, who opened this location on April 1. Thank you, Carmen, for your investment in our community and putting your business in Albemarle,” Church continued. “I’d also like to thank our chamber ambassadors who are here today. We have a board member here today — Charlie Lentz — and we appreciate him being here.”
Within the state, Albu’s clinic now has locations at Boone, Elkin, Mt. Airy, North Wilkesboro and, most recently, Albemarle. Healthy Lymphatics also has out-of-state clinics in Galax, VA, and Port St. Lucie, FL.
“We have several clinics in North Carolina — this is going to be the fifth one here,” Albu said at the ribbon-cutting event. “We do treatment for swelling and we treat the patient from beginning to end, wherever the swelling is and whatever they need. We try to keep it in-house, and we have a lot of different vendors that we use for that and we do the best we can.”
For the past 24 years, Albu’s treatment facilities have used complete decongestive therapy as a noninvasive method to treat lymphedema and help patients regain movement and healing.
The four-stage therapy process starts with manual lymph drainage, which is a specific pattern of light stretching of the skin in circular movements to stimulate the lymphatic vessels and nodes; that method creates alternative pathways by bringing stagnant fluid to healthy lymphatic vessels and nodes.
After the initial drainage step, the lymphatics clinic uses compression bandaging to prevent the re-accumulation of lymphatic fluid, followed by motion exercises and a skin care and hygiene session.
“The whole point is that if you have swelling, you can get rid of it and you can control it for the rest of your life if you come to Healthy Lymphatics,” Albu said.
The new clinic in Albemarle is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and accepts appointment requests at 828-355-9584 and healthylymphaticsgroup.com.