Jaclyn and Megan got to attend the Boston Lymphatic Symposium in February, held at Harvard Medical Center. We learned quite a bit at this conference, and while yes, we wish the information had more hands-on, readily applicable information for clinicians that we could use in our treatment rooms right away, we were both very glad to see how much research is being done on lipedema across the globe. More people are taking it seriously, learning the nuances of how lipedema can present in people, and working toward more consensus when it comes to diagnosis, treatment, self-management, and insurance approval!
Yes, there were more questions raised than answers given overall (is lipedema a disease or a physiological phenotype? Is it a syndrome rather than a disease or condition? Is pain in the legs the biggest telling symptom of lipedema or is it something else?), but how wonderful to see top researchers looking into stem cells, inflammation, medications, specialized imaging, and more, and to see surgeons proudly presenting the success they have had with lipedema-specific liposuction procedures.
Here are two downloadable resources that we found helpful and perhaps you’d like to check out too:
Lipedema: What Does the Research Say?
Dispelling 8 Myths About Lipedema
We love learning more so we can do our best work for our patients and clients as science catches up to this condition that has been around for a very long time. Here’s to more research (and more funding for that research) so we can continue to find the best ways to diagnose and treat, and so more people can find both medical and social support!