In Balance NT - Meghan Williams

07/08/2026

Living somewhere in Australia with no access to a support group, work and family commitments not allowing time for you to attend a meeting, or your mobility just makes it too hard to get out and about? This is the support group for you. Zoom in to the On-line support group on 17 Aug 2026.

If you are joining for the first time you will need to fill out some forms.

https://www.lymphaustralia.org.au/eventdetails/36380/online-support-group-zoom

06/08/2026

🦆 H5 bird flu has been detected in Australia, but there has been no detection in the Northern Territory.

The community is encouraged to report freshly dead birds or animals showing signs of bird flu.

⚠️ If you encounter a bird or other animal that may be showing signs of bird flu please be mindful:
• Do not touch the animal
• Keep a safe distance
• Report concerns to the emergency animal disease hotline: 1800 675 888
For wildlife carers:
✅ Familiarise yourself with the signs of H5 bird flu
✅ Remain alert when caring for wildlife
✅ If birds in your care show signs of bird flu, keep them separated from other animals and report it immediately

Find out more at: birdflu.gov.au

For NT health information: https://health.nt.gov.au/public-health-notifiable-diseases/avian-influenza

03/08/2026

Did you know that lipoedema is often associated with other health conditions?

These are known as comorbidities, and being aware of them can help with recognising symptoms and guiding more comprehensive care.

Commonly reported comorbidities:
🟣Lymphoedema
🟣Chronic venous disease / Vascular disease
🟣Obesity
🟣Hypothyroidism
🟣Depression
🟣Anxiety
🟣ADHD/Autism
🟣Fibromyalgia
🟣Hypermobility / Ehlers-Danlos syndromes (EDS), women with this comorbidity commonly experience migraines and gastrointestinal issues
🟣Allergies
🟣Early degenerative leg joint disease
🟣Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) and/or Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS)
🟣Polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS), previously known as polycystic o***y syndrome (PCOS)
🟣Endometriosis
🟣Vitamin D deficiency

Click here to go our resources: https://www.lipoedema.org.au/resources

23/07/2026

The Growing Role of Lymphatic Therapy in Aesthetic Medicine Part 3

Early Intervention Makes a Difference
One of the greatest advantages of lymphatic therapy is being able to identify subtle changes before they become bigger problems.
Early tissue firmness, localised congestion, restricted mobility or areas starting to develop fibrosis can often be recognised long before they become obvious to the patient.
Timely intervention allows therapists to adjust treatment approaches, educate patients, reinforce compression compliance and communicate with the surgical team when needed.
This proactive model focuses on prevention rather than correction.
Education Continues to Drive Better Outcomes
As demand for aesthetic procedures continues to grow worldwide, so does the need for healthcare professionals who understand the lymphatic system and the unique healing process after surgery.
Safe and effective post-operative care requires far more than learning a massage sequence. Therapists need to understand surgical procedures, wound healing, anatomy, contraindications, fibrosis development, compression principles and appropriate communication with medical providers.
Ongoing education remains one of the most valuable investments clinicians can make in their practice and their patients’ outcomes.
Looking Ahead
The future of aesthetic medicine is increasingly collaborative.
Plastic surgeons, nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, massage therapists and certified lymphatic therapists are working together to improve patient experiences and surgical outcomes.
As our understanding of lymphatic physiology continues to grow, lymphatic therapy will likely play an even larger role, not only in recovery after surgery but also in supporting tissue health throughout the broader continuum of aesthetic care.
For patients, this means a more comfortable recovery and a clearer path forward.
For healthcare providers, it is an opportunity to raise the standard of care through evidence-informed, patient-centred lymphatic therapy and to help strengthen the future of aesthetic care.
**
Credit: The Academy of Lymphatic Studies July 2026

21/07/2026

The Growing Role of Lymphatic Therapy in Aesthetic Medicine Part 2

Beyond Swelling Reduction
Manual Lymph Drainage (MLD) is often linked mainly with reducing oedema, but lymphatic therapy can offer additional clinical benefits that directly influence recovery. Reducing swelling is certainly important, but it is only one part of the bigger picture.
Properly applied lymphatic techniques may help:
• Encourage physiological fluid movement.
• Reduce tissue congestion.
• Improve patient comfort.
• Support mobility during recovery.
• Help maintain tissue pliability.
• Assist with scar management strategies.
• Prepare tissues for compression therapy when indicated.
For many patients, these improvements can make recovery feel smoother, more comfortable and more predictable.
The Rise of Post-Surgical Rehabilitation
Plastic surgeons are increasingly recognising that surgery is only one part of achieving an optimal outcome. Recovery has become its own important area of care.
Patients today are more informed than ever. They actively look for providers who offer complete recovery plans, including compression management, movement guidance, scar care and lymphatic therapy.
This growing awareness has created opportunities for certified lymphatic therapists to become valued members of multidisciplinary aesthetic care teams.
Treating the Patient—Not Just the Procedure
Every cosmetic surgery patient heals differently.
Age, previous surgeries, connective tissue health, medication use, inflammatory status and pre-existing lymphatic function can all influence recovery.
Rather than applying identical treatment protocols to every patient, experienced therapists continually assess:
• Tissue texture
• Pain response
• Skin mobility
• Areas of congestion
• Fibrotic development
• Healing progression
• Compression tolerance
Clinical reasoning, rather than memorised routines, is what separates exceptional post-operative therapists from those who simply perform a sequence of techniques.
... Look for post 3 on Friday

Credit: The Academy of Lymphatic Studies

19/07/2026

The Growing Role of Lymphatic Therapy in Aesthetic Medicine Part 1

Lymphatic therapy has become an increasingly important part of aesthetic care because patients today are looking for safer recoveries, better surgical outcomes and treatments that minimise downtime while supporting the best possible results. Over the past decade, aesthetic medicine has evolved well beyond cosmetic enhancement alone.
Many surgeons, nurses and rehabilitation specialists now recognise that what was once considered an optional extra after cosmetic procedures is, in many cases, an important part of comprehensive post-operative management.

Why the Lymphatic System Matters
Every surgical procedure creates a controlled injury. Whether the operation involves liposuction, abdominoplasty, breast surgery, facial procedures or body contouring, the body responds with inflammation, increased vascular permeability and temporary disruption to lymphatic vessels.
The lymphatic system becomes responsible for managing this increased fluid load while simultaneously supporting tissue healing and immune function.
When lymphatic transport is compromised or overwhelmed, patients may experience:
• Persistent swelling
• Fibrosis
• Delayed healing
• Discomfort
• Limited mobility
• Irregular contouring
• Increased anxiety about their recovery
While these responses are expected to some degree, the right support can help optimise the healing environment.
.....See posts 2 and 3 later this week

Credit: The Academy of Lymphatic Studies

12/07/2026

In Oslo, a bronze statue named "Cecilie" stands near the Norwegian Parliament, believed to be the world's first public statue of a woman living with incurable breast cancer. It was modeled on Cecilie Flatval, a mother of three who was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer at 42.

Most breast cancer campaigns center on survival and beating the disease, which can leave patients with an incurable diagnosis feeling invisible. Around 600 women in Norway die of metastatic breast cancer each year. Cecilie agreed to be the face of the statue to make that group seen, choosing to be shown exactly as she was, including the scar where her breast had been.

The sculpture was commissioned by the Norwegian Breast Cancer Society with the Association of Norwegian Sculptors, created by sculptor Håkon Anton Fagerås, and gifted by property developer Eiendomsspar. Cecilie lived to see it completed before she passed away in April 2023. It now stands permanently in Spikersuppa in central Oslo as a place for families to remember the people they have lost.

01/06/2026

13/05/2026

Volunteers needed

12/05/2026

The NRL NT community has raised more than $15,000 in two days for a young player as she recovers from a serious spinal injury in Adelaide. Read the latest 👉 https://bit.ly/4trX2VO