Nordic House Spa, www. NordicHouseSpa. com, Carmichael, CA (2025)

11/12/2025

Could something as simple as a stress ball actually help your lymphatic flow?
Surprisingly — yes, it can!

One of the self-care tools I teach some clients to use is a soft stress ball in the armpit or groin area, where we have large clusters of lymph nodes.

👉 After surgery or radiation, it can be difficult (and sometimes uncomfortable) to reach across your chest and perform the lymphatic sequence correctly.
👉 Gently tucking a soft stress ball into the armpit and doing slow “chicken wing” motions can create a gentle pumping action that supports lymphatic flow.

Now, this isn’t for everyone.
⚠️ Always confirm with your practitioner that it’s the right time to start self-MLD after surgery or radiation.
⚠️ Don’t just copy what you see online — what’s safe for one person might not be safe for another.

This little tool can make a big difference when used correctly. Ask your CLT or massage therapist if this technique is right for you!

11/12/2025

💡 Could a stress ball actually help your lymphatic flow?
Yes — when used the right way!

For clients who can’t reach their armpit post-surgery or after radiation, placing a soft stress ball in the armpit or groin area (where lymph nodes cluster) and gently doing “chicken wings” can help pump lymphatic flow.

⚠️ Always ask your practitioner before trying this — timing matters!
Don’t start new techniques at home without guidance.

11/11/2025

I’ve noticed a concerning trend lately, and I want to hear from others in this space.

Several new clients have told me that when they go to their PT or CLT within their healthcare network, they’re no longer receiving Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) as part of their sessions.
Not everywhere, but enough to raise concern.

Instead, many are only being educated on how to perform MLD at home.
Now, don’t get me wrong — home care education is vital. It’s part of every solid treatment plan. But MLD has always been one of the key cornerstones of lymphedema management, especially during the early, intensive phase of care.

Clients expect comprehensive therapy — frequent sessions, wrapping, garment fitting, and professional MLD — but increasingly, that hands-on element seems to be missing.

Is this something you’ve seen too?
➡️ If you’re a CLT, PT, or healthcare provider — are you being told to cut down MLD?
➡️ If you’re a patient, have you noticed this change in your own treatment plan?

Let’s talk about what’s happening and why this shift might be occurring.

11/11/2025

🚨 Have you noticed this too?
More and more clients are telling me their PT or CLT isn’t doing Manual Lymphatic Drainage anymore — just teaching them to do it at home.

Education is essential, yes — but MLD is one of the cornerstones of lymphedema care.
Why are we phasing it out?
Let’s talk about this trend 👇

11/10/2025

Measure: Are Your Compression Garments Doing What They’re Supposed To?

With so many compression brands on the market — from viral TikTok ads to medical-grade suppliers — it can be confusing to know which one is right for you.

Here’s the truth: not all compression garments are created equally. Different conditions require different types of compression:
🧳 Travel → flight compression
🎗 Lymphedema → medical-grade compression
💉 Cosmetic or post-surgical recovery → surgical compression garments

Each has a specific level of pressure, material, and design that supports the body differently. Wearing the wrong type (or the wrong size) can make swelling worse or slow recovery.

If you’re ordering from medical brands like Sigvaris, Juzo, Jobst, or Medival, it’s best to get measured by a qualified fitter — those measurements need to be exact, especially for custom-fit garments, which can cost hundreds of dollars.

If you’re buying from brands like Lipoelastic, take advantage of their measuring videos and guides.

In some cases Measure at the widest point of each area (thighs, calves, hips) and double-check your fit before ordering — especially if the company gives a specific reference point, like the hip bone.

Compression should feel supportive, not restrictive. When fitted correctly, it becomes one of your most powerful tools for healing and comfort. 💛

11/10/2025

🧦 Is your compression garment actually the right fit? Let’s check!

There are so many compression brands out there — but not all are made for the same purpose. ✋

💡 Flying? You need travel-grade compression.
💡 Lymphedema? You need medical compression.
💡 Post-surgery? You need garments designed for recovery.

👉 And please don’t just grab the cheapest pair online — proper fit matters.
If you’re buying from brands like Juzo, Medi, or Sigvaris, see a qualified fitter.
If it’s an at-home brand like Lipoelastic, watch their measuring videos and take time to measure at the widest point of each area.

Your compression should support, not squeeze. 💛

11/09/2025

“Lipedema patients: Happy Sunday! I wanted to share an exciting opportunity for lipedema patients.

Stanford University, School of Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, is currently enrolling participants in a study led by Dr. Stanley Roxson. The study is focused on advancing care for lipedema patients, and they are still looking for qualified participants.

📅 Important: The last date to enroll is December 31st, so interested candidates should act quickly to complete correspondence and approvals before the deadline.

For more information, you can contact the Clinical Research Coordinators:

Osama Alnahar, MBBS – osamaa@stanford.edu
, cell: 650-736-5118

Hanlong Fan – osamaa@stanford.edu

Location:
Stanford University • School of Medicine
Division of Cardiovascular Medicine
870 Quarry Road, Stanford, CA 94305

This is a fantastic chance to participate in innovative research for lipedema. If you or someone you know might qualify, don’t wait to reach out!

unique research opportunity at Stanford!”

11/09/2025

Not All Lymphatic Drainage Training Is Created Equal

If you’re considering Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) after surgery, during cancer recovery, or for a complex lymphatic condition, it’s so important to know the background of the person you’re trusting with your care.

Many programs advertise “lymphatic drainage” with only a few hours of training — sometimes just a two-day class. While those courses can be fine for general wellness or light detox work, they do not prepare someone to safely treat people with compromised lymphatic systems.

Here’s a quick breakdown of what to look for:
💧 CMLDT – Certified Manual Lymphatic Drainage Therapist: 45 hours of training, focused on foundational MLD techniques and often includes stage 1–2 lymphedema and post-op recovery.
💧 CLT – Certified Lymphedema Therapist: 135+ hours of training, including bandaging, compression garment fitting, and working with medical conditions like lymphedema, lipedema, and post-surgical swelling.

My own path includes training and certification through:

Greet the Day, where I teach Oncology Massage (approved by the Society for Oncology Massage)

Norton School of Lymphatic Therapy, where I completed my CLT certification

ACOLS (Academy of Lymphatic Studies), where I studied advanced post-surgical recovery

If you have a complex lymphatic condition, your therapist should have more than a weekend course. Ask about their credentials — it’s okay to advocate for your safety and your healing process.

💛

11/09/2025

🚨 Not all “lymphatic drainage” training is created equal!

If you’ve had surgery, cancer treatment, or live with lymphedema or lipedema, you want to be sure your therapist has the right kind of training 💡

A weekend class or 5-hour online course isn’t enough for complex lymphatic cases — those require advanced training like CLT (Certified Lymphedema Therapist) or CMLDT (Certified Manual Lymphatic Drainage Therapist) credentials.

These programs include hours of study in anatomy, bandaging, compression, and post-op care — so your therapist can safely support your recovery 💪💧

Always ask about your therapist’s credentials — your lymphatic system deserves qualified care 💛

11/08/2025

Is Dry Brushing Too Rough for You? Here’s What to Know.

Dry brushing is often promoted as a way to boost circulation and help lymph flow, but for some people, it can be too aggressive for the skin.

If you’re recovering from surgery and still have healing incisions, it’s best to skip dry brushing — it can irritate tissue that’s not fully healed. The same goes for some people with lipedema, who may notice redness, itching, or a histamine response after brushing.

A great alternative? A silicone brush or washing pad.
Silicone is soft, flexible, and gentle on the skin. You can use it with a bit of soap in the shower or on dry skin, moving in the direction you want the lymph to flow.

The key to lymphatic work is light touch. You don’t need pressure — just a gentle stretch of the skin to encourage lymph movement. If the bristles bend, you’re pressing too hard!

Small changes like switching tools or softening your pressure can make a big difference in how your body feels and heals. 💛

11/08/2025

🚫 Is dry brushing too rough for your skin? Let’s talk about it 👇

Dry brushing can be great for circulation and lymph flow, but not for everyone! If you’re healing from surgery or living with lipedema, it might trigger irritation or histamine reactions 😬

Try this instead — a soft silicone brush 🧼✨ It’s gentle, easy to clean, and perfect for light drainage work in or out of the shower.

Remember: light pressure = lymph movement 💧
We’re not working muscle — just stretching the skin so the fluid can move.

💛

11/07/2025

Why I Chose the Name J.O.I.I.

Since 2020, I’ve been an educator with a non-profit organization here in California, teaching Oncology Massage. Over the years, I’ve seen how deeply this work touches both clients and practitioners — it’s powerful, emotional, and transformative.

Recently, I had the opportunity to begin something new: bringing Oncology Massage education to Europe through my own company, J.O.I.I.

J.O.I.I. stands for Juul Oncology Institute International, but it’s also my middle name — and a word that captures something I believe in deeply: joy.

Oncology Massage is a serious and often heavy topic, and it deserves to be taught with care and respect. But I’ve learned that joy has an important place in this work, too — for the clients going through cancer treatment, and for the therapists learning how to support them.

Through J.O.I.I., I hope to build a space for passionate learning, evidence-informed practice, and compassionate connection — where education is both meaningful and joyful.

💛

Nordic House Spa

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