Expert Lymphedema Care
Without the Long Wait

If you’re searching for a Lymphedema Clinic in Albuquerque, you may already know how frustrating it can be to find timely care. Unfortunately, there is a shortage of lymphedema therapists in our area, which means patients are often told to wait for months for treatment.

That’s where I can help. My name is Shannon Goins-Blair, and I am a LANA-Certified Lymphedema Therapist (CLT-LANA). At Pain & Swelling Solutions, I specialize in providing hands-on lymphedema treatment for people who need care now, not months from now.

What I Do

Lymphedema is a condition that causes chronic swelling, most commonly in the arms or legs, but it can appear in other areas of the body as well.  In the United States, the most common cause of lymphedema is cancer treatment (surgery, chemo, and/or radiation).  It can also be caused by trauma to the lymph nodes – like being crushed by a seatbelt in a bad car accident.

You can also be born with a genetic predisposition to develop lymphedema.  This is called Primary Lymphedema.  It may onset at any time in life, and usually shows up following a trauma to or infection in an arm or leg.  These do not need to be severe to cause the onset.  Lymphedema will almost always be present in one arm or one leg. 

Left untreated, lymphedema can progress, leading to more swelling, fibrosis (thickened tissue), limb distortion, and in some cases skin infections which can be serious.

There is an unrelated condition that I work on known as Lipedema, a genetic fat and connective tissue disorder – almost exclusively found in women – in which they begin seeing significant accumulations of fat from the waist to the ankles and sometimes involving the arms – usually upper arms.  It is often confused with lymphedema because the words sound somewhat similar.  That being said, having lipedema can lead to developing lymphedema on top of the lipedema. (Clear as mud, right?)  Read more about Lipedema here.

My work focuses on:

• Reducing swelling through Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD): A gentle, precise technique that encourages fluid to move out of the swollen area and back into circulation.  This is what most of your sessions will be.  During this time, we often discuss the other items below.

• Teaching self-care strategies: So you can maintain your results at home.

• Helping you manage compression therapy: I can assist you with determining the right type of compression garments for your situation.  
  
  

I see two main types of clients who have lymphedema in my practice:

1. Newly Diagnosed Patients – People who have just been diagnosed with lymphedema (or who suspect that they have it) but can’t get into a traditional hospital-based lymphedema clinic right away.  Many people who wonder if they have it have recently had cancer surgery and still have swelling after 6-8 weeks when surgical swelling usually subsides.

2. Maintenance Clients – People who have well-managed lymphedema (no open wounds or active infections) and want to keep their swelling under control on an on-going basis.  These clients often come once a week or every 2 weeks, but each person is different in their needs.

Why Work With a LANA-Certified Therapist

LANA (the Lymphology Association of North America) sets the highest standard for lymphedema care in the United States. Earning this certification means I have completed rigorous training, passed a national board exam, and maintain continuing education specifically in lymphedema management.

When you choose a LANA-certified therapist, you can feel confident you are working with someone who understands the complexity of lymphatic disorders and stays current on the best available treatments.

What You Can Expect at Pain & Swelling Solutions

Because I run a private practice, I can offer highly personalized care. Each session is tailored to your current needs and goals. Whether you are trying to bring down swelling after surgery, starting treatment after cancer therapy, or simply need regular maintenance care, we will create a plan that works for you.

A typical session might include:

• Gentle Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) to reduce swelling

• Education about self-massage, exercise, and skin care

• Support in understanding your condition and options

Many of my clients tell me they appreciate the relaxed, one-on-one environment I provide, especially compared to busier, impersonal hospital settings.  You also get a full hour session of treatment instead of taking up half of the time measuring you to justify that you need the therapy so insurance will pay for it.

About Insurance and Payment

While I am fully credentialed as a CLT-LANA and my training is the same as what physical and occupational therapists receive for lymphedema treatment, my professional license is in massage therapy. Because of that, insurance companies will not cover my services.

I DO accept Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending Account (FSA) cards, which many clients find helpful in covering health-related expenses.  If you need to verify for your HSA or FSA that your treatment is being provided by a recognized professional, I have an NPI (National Provider Identifier) number as a lymphedema therapist that I can provide upon request.

This setup allows me to focus on giving you the best possible care without the limitations of insurance-driven clinic schedules.

Getting Started

If you’ve been told you have to wait to start lymphedema treatment—or if you already know what works for your body and just need regular maintenance—I invite you to schedule an appointment.

Because I do not have the same waitlist issues as many larger clinics, I can often get you in much quicker so you can start seeing results sooner.  If I’m a bit booked up, I encourage you to watch my schedule daily for cancellations.  They happen and you can often get in sooner than you think by just keeping an eye out.

You can learn more or book an appointment directly online here: Schedule Your Visit