Ethan Boren, registered and licensed occupational therapist (OTR/L), Rehabilitation Services, Blessing Hospital, has earned the status of Certified Lymphedema Therapist through the Lymphology Association of North America (CLT-LANA).
To earn certification, Boren completed a 135-hour educational course and passed the Lymphology Association of North America examination.
The lymphatic system is part of the body’s immune system and helps fight off illnesses and infections. When the lymphatic system is damaged or not working well, most commonly due to surgery, lymphatic fluid can build up in the affected area and cause swelling, open wounds, skin discoloration and infection. Lymphedema therapy focuses on ways to move lymphatic fluid out of the affected area.
Boren practices Complete Decongestive Therapy (CDT). It has four components; compression, manual lymph drainage, decongestive exercise, and skin care. Together these components reduce swelling by mobilizing fluid, removing protein from affected areas, and breaking up fibrosis or hardened tissue. The goal of CDT is reduction of swelling and risk for related complications and long-term maintenance of the condition for the patient.
He is a seven-year member of the Blessing Hospital staff. He earned a Master of Occupational Therapy degree from Rockhurst University, Kansas City, MO; and a Bachelor of Science degree in Health Science from Truman State University, Kirksville, MO.