lara henderson bodywork, llc

“Going with the flow is responding to cues from the universe. When you go with the flow, you’re surfing life force. It’s about wakeful trust and total collaboration with what’s showing up for you.” 🌠🌠🌠

- Danielle LaPorte

IPC is commonly used as part of a long-term lymphedema management plan, especially when swelling is chronic, involves multiple regions, or needs a reliable home routine between therapy visits. Consensus guidance recognizes IPC as a tool that may be used in selected patients as part of ongoing management.

In clinical research, home-based IPC programs have been associated with maintaining limb volume and improving quality of life, particularly when programs are designed to mimic manual lymphatic drainage patterns.

⭐ Where it fits with Complete Decongestive Therapy (CDT)⭐

Think of IPC as an assist, not a replacement for the foundations of care. For many people, the best outcomes happen when IPC supports (and doesn’t compete with) the big pillars: compression garments, movement, skin care, and an individualized plan.

Some studies and reviews suggest that adding IPC to other conservative approaches can improve outcomes for certain patients. However, the research is mixed depending on the condition, device features, and protocols.

💧 "Have patience. Wait until the mud settles and the water is clear. Remain unmoving until right action arises by itself." 🌞

- Laozi

You've Found Your DME in Boulder County!

🌊 When swelling becomes stubborn, it’s often not because someone “isn’t trying hard enough.” It’s because the lymphatic system is asking for consistent mechanical support, the kind that assists fluid movement when the body can’t keep up on its own.

That’s where pneumatic compression comes in.

🌊 Pneumatic compression (also called intermittent pneumatic compression, or IPC) uses an at-home pump connected to a sleeve, boot, or garment with multiple air chambers. The device inflates and deflates in cycles, applying gentle, sequential pressure, typically moving from distal to proximal (for example, from foot toward thigh, or hand toward shoulder). This external “pumping” helps encourage fluid movement and supports circulation.

“When I sit here by the sea and listen to the sound of waves, 🌊 I feel free from all obligations and people of this world.”

– Henry Thoreau

At Lara Henderson Bodywork, LLC, you can receive private, professional fittings for post-mastectomy bras and breast forms, and be guided into appropriate compression solutions, including stockings and other garments, based on your needs.

Important note: Medicare accreditation applies to eligible products (DME), not therapeutic services.

During your appointment, you can expect:

🤍 a discreet, supportive environment

🩵 precise measuring and product selection

💜 education on wear, care, and comfort

🩷 help understanding the paperwork steps so you feel confident moving forward

“Have you also learned that secret from the river; that there is no such thing as time? That the river is everywhere at the same time, at the source and at the mouth, at the waterfall, at the ferry, at the current, in the ocean and in the mountains, everywhere and that the present only exists for it, not the shadow of the past nor the shadow of the future.” 🩵💙

- Hermann Hesse

If you have lymphedema or post-surgical swelling that requires compression, Medicare may cover medical-grade compression supplies depending on diagnosis and documentation. This can include:

💧 Compression stockings

💧 Arm sleeves

💧 Wrap-style garments

💧 Other medically necessary compression products

The key is that Medicare generally requires clear medical documentation showing medical necessity, along with the correct product category and sizing/measurements.

➡️➡️➡️ Pneumatic compression devices (home pumps)

Pneumatic compression devices can be extremely helpful for some patients who need additional support beyond garments alone. Medicare coverage often depends on specific criteria and documentation, and many patients qualify after showing that they have tried a period of conservative management.

In practical terms, Medicare typically looks for:

🩵 a documented diagnosis (often lymphedema)

🩵 clinical notes supporting severity and persistence

🩵 history of conservative measures (such as compression garments, elevation, exercise, and/or therapy) and the response

If you’re not sure whether you qualify, that’s okay; this is exactly the kind of question a simple consult call can clarify.

“Water does not resist. Water flows. When you plunge your hand into it, all you feel is a caress. Water is not a solid wall, it will not stop you. But water always goes where it wants to go, and nothing in the end can stand against it. Water is patient. Dripping water wears away a stone. Remember that, my child. Remember you are half water. If you can't go through an obstacle, go around it. Water does.” 💧💧💧

- Margaret Atwood

Medicare can cover post-mastectomy supplies that support comfort, symmetry, and daily function. This typically includes:

👙 Post-mastectomy bras

👙 External breast prostheses/breast forms

In many cases, Medicare covers 80% of the allowable amount, and the patient is responsible for the remaining 20%, unless you have secondary insurance that covers the coinsurance.

A properly fitted bra and form can make a noticeable difference in:

🩷 comfort and posture

🩷 clothing fit and symmetry

🩷 skin protection and pressure distribution

🩷 confidence in everyday life