Feldbergklinik Diary # 2: The oldest lymph clinic in the world

The Feldberg Clinic - a clinic with a history

Please what? Yes exactly, the oldest. Of the world. Beat that! How come Well, you may have heard of its founder and pioneer of manual lymphatic drainage, dr Adsonk. He started in 1973 and brought MLD to clinical medicine just a year later. So we still owe him an irreplaceable component of our conservative therapy today. Dr. Asdonk - good man.

But that also explains her long-established charm, which you already know about In the first part could read this series. The Feldberg Clinic is not the most modern rehabilitation clinic with a focus on lymphology. But I can speak for that from my experience and the conversations with many other visitors, she is one of the most competent. Where you feel most comfortable is of course a very personal assessment, but technical competence is at home here.

Where it all begins

When you arrive at the clinic, the first thing you will notice is the small park on the doorstep. For patients who cannot walk long distances, it is a welcome change and is sufficiently protected from the street to be able to relax. For all mobile visitors among us, it is only an option after the extensive 2-hour hike. Because sometimes one of the numerous cats drops by the fish pond and keeps you company while you let your thoughts wander. And the first friendship is made.

As soon as the automatically opening entrance door (important for all wheelchairs) has passed, you enter the entrance area with reception, lecture room, a small seating area and pin boards with travel events and (important-important!) Internal clinic notices. Please check this at least once a day. There it is communicated whether something is missing, who is on the changing job or when which lecture is taking place.

The room

After checking in, you will be directed to your room, where you can arrive before your first visit. I have you guys how that looks in the last article shown. If you have the first appointments behind you, you can unpack your suitcases, go back down into town or take a look around the clinic. Dinner starts at 17:30 p.m., so keep an eye on the clock. At the beginning I had to get used to the meal times, but later, from 17:20 p.m., you sit there with saber-cutting cutlery and wait for it to start.

The food

Breakfast: from 07:00 a.m. - lunch: from 12:00 p.m. - dinner: from 17:30 p.m. Since everyone is treated at different times, there is something like flextime in the dining room. Everyone comes and goes, as the dates allow. In the morning and in the evening you will find a selection of salads and spreads, the latter is divided into reduction and whole foods. On Saturdays soup and sheet cakes are always served, on Sundays a breakfast egg.

But no matter what day of the week it was - I really enjoyed the food. I didn't have to do anything about it, I always liked it and even the small portions rarely left me hungry. You can choose between a small and a normal portion. Since I generally always put too much on my plate, this choice is just right for me to curb my appetite again. Nobody has to starve to death, so you can catch up on something if your stomach growls again.

The therapy booths

Cabins full of happiness with the most beautiful view of the clinic. Yes, that sounds very ramondish, of course, but it is. Of course, Phil Collins has the most beautiful view in cabin 1, but I would have that with him even without a window. * ba-dum-tss *

Since the wing with the therapy rooms for all mobile patients is on the fourth and last floor of the clinic, you simply have a great view of the surrounding forest and this somehow helped my mind to come down a little more every time. The lymphatic drainage units are usually divided into two or two appointments in which the affected areas are treated. I always liked double appointments in the morning, because then you had free rein for the rest of the day. But that's more of an exception.

The sport

The movement in the winding is essential for your result. So swing the clubs and use every minute for physical activity. You have the opportunity to do decongestion, spine, stool, breathing or water aerobics. The latter only takes place twice a week in the neighboring town. That's okay for me, as I'm not a water rat, but for some it is a shortcoming. All other courses take place either in the garden house or in the lecture room so that the wheelchairs also have access.

I took part in the gymnastics courses a lot more in the first rehab. Since then, however, so much has happened to me in terms of sports technology that I have preferred to take my performance into my own hands. In the mornings I usually did a morning run, if I had time in the morning, I took a course here and there, after lunch I went down to town and in the evening after unwinding for an hour on the ergometer. When all of this worked out, I would hit about 250% of my daily goal of 10.000 steps and that filled me with tons of pride and happiness.

The new supply

At the end of your rehab you have to measure your new supply. This is dealt with in the Schaub medical supply store on the clinic's ground floor. There you will be advised which manufacturer is best suited for your findings (but you can generally choose any manufacturer yourself). Your restorations will be produced in an express process so that in the best case scenario you can start your way home with a well-fitting compression. You will also receive information on this topic in a separate lecture.

Rehabilitation as an opportunity

To have the time and rest for so much exercise was pure medicine for me and at the end of my three weeks, on the one hand, I regretted not having been on it for a week and, on the other hand, I couldn't part with this high. Get to know people who are good for you, fill your free time with great memories and get moving as much as you can.

My result with pure lipedema: 1,5 l less excess lymph fluid and a total of 4 kg less weight in three weeks

The rehab is what you make of it. Use them wisely.

 

Here you can find the Feldbergklinik website. 

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Your questions about rehab at the Feldbergklinik

• Do you have to bring your own wrapping material?
  No, the bandages are provided in the clinic and also washed. You don't need to prepare anything for this.
• Is Walter still doing exercise therapy?
  Yes he is there. Healthy and happy.