Kelly Sturm, PT, DPT,
OncCS, CLT-LANA, is a Doctor of Physical Therapy and founder of Cancer Rehab PT, LLC. She specializes in oncology rehabilitation, lymphedema
management, and lymphatic health. Through her clinic, online programs, and
widely viewed YouTube channel, Kelly empowers patients and professionals alike
with evidence-based education and accessible strategies for managing the side
effects and symptoms that come with lymphedema and cancer. Her mission is to
educate and help as many people living with and after cancer and lymphedema
reclaim control of their everyday lives.
When
I completed my lymphedema certification course, I thought I knew compression. I
had memorized the pressure gradients, could recite the contraindications, and
felt confident in my textbook knowledge. But like many aspects of healthcare,
the reality of compression therapy is far more nuanced than what you learn in any course or class.
The Gap Between Education and Practice
My
education taught me that compression works—but it didn't teach me that how it
works depends entirely on the individual wearing it. The course images showed
clean diagrams of gradient pressures, but they didn't show me the patient who
needed a completely different approach because of their unique body shape,
lifestyle, or comfort preferences.
I
remember my first patient with lipedema who struggled with traditional
compression stockings. Everything I'd learned suggested she should be
improving, but she kept returning frustrated and discouraged. Why was she in so
much pain? It wasn't until I really listened to her specific challenges that I realized
I needed to expand my toolkit beyond what felt familiar and found a product
that actually worked for her.
Patient Feedback Changes Everything
That
experience taught me the most important lesson of my career: patients are the
experts on their own bodies. When someone tells you a garment isn't working,
believe them. Their feedback isn't just helpful—it's essential information for
treatment modification and success.
I
learned to ask different questions: "How does this feel by the end of the
day?" "What happens when you go for a walk?" "Where do you
notice the most pressure?" These conversations led me to stop looking at a
single product as the “gold-standard” and start truly looking at a product line
as a toolbox.
My Go-To Product Features
Today,
my compression toolbox looks completely different. I rely heavily on flat knit
garments for patients who need consistent, durable compression, especially
those with more complex presentations—like Juzo's Expert Line or Strong garments. For patients dealing
with fluctuating swelling, I've found that combining specialty products with
traditional bandaging or garments gives them the flexibility they need and
really helps with stubborn areas of swelling of fibrotic tissue, such as
pairing SoftCompress with short-stretch
bandages or using the Juzo Night in the evenings.
Of
course, not every patient needs the intensity of flat knit compression. Many
clients benefit from other options. So I often recommend Juzo’s Soft line for a circular knit
garment that works beautifully for those who are compression-sensitive or who
present with general venous edema or mild swelling. And truthfully, I lived in
my Juzo Soft knee-highs for both of my pregnancies!
What I Wish I'd Known Earlier
I
wish I'd understood sooner that timing matters as much as the product itself.
There are moments when wraps are superior to garments, and times when layering
different compression types creates better outcomes than relying on one
solution—like using Juzo's Expert Sleeve for work hours, Juzo’s Arm Wrap in the evenings at home, and the Juzo Night
while sleeping.
I
also wish I'd known about the variety of closure options available. The difference
between Velcro and traditional donning can make or break a patient's compliance
and success. We know garments can be a challenge to get on for some patients.
Our role is to find a product that helps them be independent for consistent
use.
A Common Patient Journey
Early
in my career, I kept encountering the same pattern: patients who had struggled
with traditional compression stockings for years, feeling frustrated and
defeated by their limitations. One woman with chronic venous insufficiency had essentially
given up on compression entirely until we switched her to a custom flat knit
option. Within weeks, she was planning her first vacation in years—something
she'd abandoned completely when her previous stockings became too difficult to
manage. These breakthrough moments happened again and again, each one
reinforcing how much the right product match truly matters.
These
stories taught me that we're not just fitting garments; we're restoring
possibilities. Every patient who finds their right compression match doesn't
just manage their condition better—they reclaim pieces of their life they
thought were lost forever.
Staying Current in Products
I've
learned to diversify my education sources. Company websites and product
catalogs are valuable, but I also follow lymphedema organizations, attend
webinars, and most importantly, connect with other therapists. The Lymphology
Association of North America
and social
media groups have become incredible resources for real-world insights.
Advice for New Therapists
Start
with curiosity, not certainty. Every patient will teach you something new about
compression if you're willing to listen. Don't be afraid to try different
products or approaches—what works for one patient may not (and likely won’t)
work for another, and that's exactly as it should be.
Remember
that successful compression therapy isn't about finding the "perfect"
product; it's about finding the right match between patient needs, lifestyle,
and available options. Sometimes the best solution is simply the one the
patient will actually wear consistently.
Most importantly, build relationships with your
compression vendors. They're not just selling products; they're partners in
patient care who often have insights that we can't keep
up with as clinicians. They stay current on new developments and can help us
find solutions we might not have considered.
The
compression journey is ongoing for both therapists and patients. Embrace the
learning curve.
keep
up with as clinicians. They stay current on new developments and can help us
find solutions we might not have considered.
Learn more about the Juzo products Kelly
recommends and the benefits of compression therapy on juzousa.com. Follow us on Instagram, @JuzoCompression and Facebook to stay up to date on how Juzo can help meet your medical compression
needs.