Improvement in the severe swelling of the arm
Patient: Narrated by Ms. Zhang
Medical records: Hemodialysis patient with newly created fistula
Symptoms: Painful and swollen fistula
Hospital: Taipei Xin O Hospital dialysis room
I had a fistula procedure in July last year, and my arm became swollen following the surgery. The swelling persisted to a point where the skin was tight, red, and shiny, and I could not even see the bone of my wrist. The condition did not improve after massage and heat compression. Because I was informed by the nurses that it was normal to develop post-operation swelling in the arm, I thought the condition was unavoidable.
At the time, I visited the Heping Hospital for clinical consultation. The hospital provided Firapy (WS™ Far-infrared Therapy Unit) to be freely used by patients. I remember my physician had once told me that the therapy was beneficial for my fistula, so I travelled to the hospital early, sometimes as early as 6:40, in the morning to try the device. However, many elderly who wake up early start using the device from 5 or 6 o’clock in the morning, and hence I never had the chance to try it.
The miraculous effects in relieving swelling
Two months later, my fistula was matured for cannulation; however my arm always swelled after hemodialysis. One day, I saw a nurse pushing the device over for the patient two beds away from me, and applied the treatment during cannulation. Later I found out that using Firapy (WS™ Far-infrared Therapy Unit) before and during cannulation facilitates the procedure, enhances blood flow and improves numbness in the arm. The following day, I asked my son to accompany me to the hospital. During the break between shifts, he pushed the device over for me to treat my fistula. The day after dialysis, I was surprised to see that my arm did not swell! That was the first time my arm did not swell after dialysis. I was astounded, and told the nurses repeatedly “the swelling in my arm has gone down! It’s a miracle!”
Afterward, I asked my son to accompany me to my hemodialysis sessions so he could help me use the device. Although it was troublesome for him to accompany me to the hospital in early mornings, he tried to accompany me as much as possible. After using Firapy (WS™ Far-infrared Therapy Unit), needle bouncing during dialysis never occurred, so there was no swelling. However, in the sessions when my son had other commitments and could not take me to the hospital and get the device for me, the swelling and needle bouncing reoccurred frequently. Therefore I was certain that Firapy (WS™ Far-infrared Therapy Unit) was effective for me, and eventually I purchased a unit in December last year to operate at home.
Now I use the device every day on the fistula. On dialyzed days when the fistula cannot be treated after hemodialysis, I use it on my face, head, and the bone spur on my right hand. The discomfort of my hand cause by the bone spur has also improved.
All family members benefit
My younger sister lives close by. Her son goes to university in Ilan, and once sprained his ankle during a basketball game. I saw him limping so I told him about the device I had at home that could miraculously relieve swelling. My nephew then came to my place and applied the therapy while watching television. We went to see an exhibition together the following day and he had completely recovered. He said to me “the device really works wonders. After I used it, I went home, took a shower and went to bed, and now the pain is gone”.
My younger sister works in a bank. She came over one day to use the device to treat her sore shoulders and her head. After going home that day she started yawning. She was very surprised because she has suffered from insomnia for many years and has not felt sleepy for a long time.
As for myself, during a cold front during the New Year period, I developed several cold symptoms, including a sore throat when swallowing. Being a hemodialysis patient means we have compromised immune function, so I am always cautious about catching a cold and its side-effects. I used the device to treat my neck region before going to bed that night, and my sore throat was gone the following morning. I repeated the same procedure another time, where I also developed early symptoms of a cold, and the symptoms also improved.
According to medical professionals, using Firapy (WS™ Far-infrared Therapy Unit) to treat the soles of the feet benefits our health. Because my bed is enclosed on both ends, which makes it difficult to treat the soles of my feet, I am considering changing my bed so it would be easier to use the device.