The purpose of this article is to introduce you to how Comfiwave could be used as part of your lymphoedema management, either on its own or as part of combined treatment. Please note that the ways in which Comfiwave is used in clinical practice are under the direct supervision of a qualified therapist. If you do find the below information useful, we suggest you discuss this with your therapist and do not change your current treatment regime unless they guide you to do so.

In two previous blog-posts we provided an overview ofoverview of compression therapy and its benefits and the differences between circular and flat knit garments. In both posts we discussed the use of what we as therapists’ term as traditional compression therapy. However there are many other products available which do not fall into to the category of either flat or circular knit compression. Although these other products are not constructed in the same way as traditional garments, they do provide therapeutic levels of compression.

What is Comfiwave?

Comfiwave is a knitted cotton garment which is classed as either providing night-time or reduced compression; making it a comfortable solution when sleeping at night or resting during the day. It delivers therapeutic compression through the use of highly elastic yarn and highly breathable cotton, achieving a compression level of 15-21 mmHg when applied to a limb. It is composed of a single layer of completely seamless, latex-free knitted fabric with 100% cotton against the skin; ensuring maximum comfort.

Due to its elastic nature it is easy to apply, and the unique weave of the garment ensures it does not cut in or roll down. The wave pattern and ridges within the garment (which may leave temporary indentations on limbs after removal) promote softening of tissues whilst enhancing the movement of fluid through them.

Comfiwave is available as an arm, combined arm with mitten, below knee, or full-leg garment. All are available in a wide range of sizes and are extremely easy to measure for.

Use as a night-time garment or a garment on its own.

There is lots of evidence available to support the use of 24 hour compression therapy to control your lymphoedema. Until recently this was not widely adopted in the UK but now there are more specialist centres which recommend using reduced compression products to improve management of lymphoedema. For those of you who have become experts at managing your lymphoedema it is very likely that you will use a variety of compression products to do this. As standard, following treatment with bandages, to reduce limbs, we do recommend that you wear compression for 24 hours per day before gradually reducing your wear time to daytime only. However, there is research that suggests using reduced compression garments at night helps to further reduce the limb and maintain its size much better.

The above images show a patient who achieved increased reduction with the use of Comfiwave. Feedback from this patient and others who have used Comfiwave at night-time has demonstrated that it is comfortable to sleep in, does not cause irritation and does not make the limb feel hot. Further feedback has highlighted that Comfiwave is much easier to apply than other products available for patients to purchase. Where patents have not been able to wear traditional compression garments (due to underlying health conditions) feedback has demonstrated that having Comfiwave has been a great alternative to use to prevent oedema worsening.

See what patients and their therapists are saying about Comfiwave

"Just to let you know I think Comfiwave is brilliant"

"This garment is so lovely and stretchy and easy to wear! An overnight sleeve has proven to be a game changer for me in my quest to find ways of maintaining control over the Lymphoedema in my dominant arm.As a young woman, I am very active and have really struggled with the long lists of does and don’ts that come with a Lymphoedema diagnosis. You have listened and understood and helped me to find simple ways to keep the swelling manageable.This sleeve is made from such a beautiful weave that I can almost imagine a character from Pretty Little Liars wearing it for a sleepover! It is unfussy, folds small enough to pack into an overnight bag for travelling, and the lovely fabric also wicks moisture so my arm doesn’t get clammy while I am asleep. I keep it in a cotton product bag by the side of the bed and look forward to slipping it on at bedtime to give effortless reduction while I catch up on my beauty sleep!I wish every Lymphoedema patient had access to the support and variety of solutions that you have managed to help me with."

"My patient used to night time bandage but doesn’t feel she needs to now, which is fantastic! She finds it comfortable and it doesn’t cause any significant marks on her skin."

"The garments are easy to apply, comfortable and do not look medical. One of my patients has severe Rheumatoid arthritis in his hands, he was able to apply the arm sleeve with ease.I am impressed with the product and it’s very easy to measure for."

"My patient found it really good, she hadn’t been able to get any sleeve on ever as she had a stroke when she was 19 years old and her arm and hand is paralysed and stiffin 90 degrees flexion so she had never been able to get one on . Since wearing it , her lower arm has reduced in volume , she has less soft tissue opposition at her elbow and so is able to bend and move her elbow passively (with help from her other arm ) . Hopefully this Increased movement will be emptying the lymph nodes and helping the swelling to go down even more."

Click here to browse the range of Comfiwave products available at Lymphshop.

About the author

Natalie qualified as a registered nurse in 2005 after 13 years working as a health care Assistant. She developed a specialist interest in the management of lymphoedema as a community nurse where she trained in the Casley Smith method of MLD. She went on to work at Compton Lymphoedema Care in 2009 where she developed her skills and passion for treating patients with lymphoedema and for delivering training to individuals with a specialist interest in Lymphoedema management, furthering her own development becoming trained in the Leduc method of MLD. Natalie became a member of the team at Haddenham Healthcare in 2012 where she took on the role as Clinical Advisor, becoming Clinical Manager in 2016 and completing her Masters of Science in Lymphoedema Care at Wolverhampton University during the same year. Natalie now oversees all aspects of clinical training, publications and research and as well as offering clinical support to clinicians globally and often delivering training at Wolverhampton University and The Lymphoedema Training Academy. Natalie was a trustee for the British Lymphology Society from 2015-2018 and is currently a senior member of the training team at the Lymphoedema Training Academy and a member of the LymphVision team, offering specialist lympho-fluoroscopy imaging for patients with Lymphoedema. She is FG-MLD ® trained and also continues her clinical practice at Compton Care