June 2019, Meeting of UW Medicine/ Northwest Hospital & Medical Center Lymphedema Support Group

Diana Kincaid—who will also be guest lecturing this month in the Self-Care Class on June 22nd—has taught in a variety of settings; held both local and national leadership roles regarding therapeutic massage, ethics and standard setting; and still practices based on her training at the Foeldi-Klinik in Hinterzarten, Germany.? In this presentation, Diana will share her most recent research and book writing efforts related to fascia.

A fascia—according to wikipedia—is a “band or sheet of connective tissue, primarily collagen, beneath the skin that stabilizes, encloses, and separates muscles and other internal organs. Fascia is classified by layer, as superficial fascia, deep fascia, and visceral or parietal fascia, or by its function and anatomical location.”

Gaining an understanding of fascia is important to lymphedema patients as it is related to the interstitium. The intersititium is the fluid filled space from which interstitial fluids enter the lymphatic vessels and system to be adequately drained.? For lymphedema patients in particular, this flow and drainage is a significant issue.? In 2018, a team of scientists widely reported the interstitium so important that it qualifed to be considered an organ of the body—on the order of the heart, the stomach, the skin, etc.

This support group presentation will be an opportunity to hear first hand about the exciting scientific discoveries related to fascia and the interstitium, and also into related therapies for improving the flow of fluids so important to lymphedema patients.? Diana will help tease out the distinctions and the importance of it all.

Diana was also one of the first therapists to practice with our founder, JoAnn Rovig at the original Northwest Lymphedema Center located in Ballard, WA.? We are proud that she has returned to serve as one of our NWLC Board Members.