At Laneways, we provide compassionate, non-judgemental care for every body.
If you’re experiencing heaviness, pain, tenderness, or changes in the shape of your limbs -or you’ve come across information on social media that has made you wonder whether you may have lipoedema -we’re here to help.
We provide thorough assessment, guidance regarding the likelihood of a lipoedema diagnosis, and evidence-based treatment tailored to your individual needs. Our personalised management plans are designed to support improved comfort, movement, function, and confidence in your body.
Nadia Walton is an experienced physiotherapist and accredited lymphoedema practitioner with a special interest in caring for people in larger bodies, chronic conditions, lymphatic health, mobility, and improving the quality of life of her clients.
Nadia understands that many people with lipoedema have faced years of frustration, misunderstanding, or conflicting advice before finding appropriate support. She also understands it can be frightening being given a diagnosis or suspecting you have lipoedema.
Her approach is evidence-based, weight-neutral, and person-centred. Rather than focusing solely on appearance or weight, Nadia works with you to improve comfort, function, mobility, symptom management, and confidence in your body.
Lipoedema is a chronic condition characterised by changes in connective tissue and fat distribution and disproportionate fat accumulation, most commonly affecting the legs and arms. It occurs almost exclusively in women and often develops or becomes more noticeable during periods of hormonal change such as puberty, pregnancy, and menopause.
Historically, lipoedema was often described as a progressive condition. However, international understanding is evolving. Recent consensus statements from the Lipedema World Congress and European experts have moved away from describing lipoedema as an inevitably progressive disease. Current evidence suggests that symptoms and tissue changes may remain stable for many people and can be influenced by factors such as hormonal changes, body weight, co-existing health conditions, and management strategies. With appropriate support and treatment, many people are able to improve symptoms, maintain function, and enhance their quality of life.
Lipoedema is not caused by a lack of willpower, poor lifestyle choices, or inactivity. The affected tissue is resistant to conventional weight-loss approaches and cannot simply be dieted or exercised away.
Common features of lipoedema include:
Early assessment and management can help reduce symptoms, improve comfort, support mobility, and enhance quality of life.
While there is currently no cure for lipoedema, evidence-based management can help reduce symptoms, improve function, and support long-term wellbeing.
At Laneways, treatment and ongoing care may include:
We offer consultations in clinic, via telehealth, and in your home. Care can be accessed under Medicare Chronic Disease Management plans, Aged Care funding, and NDIS supports where eligible. We can also assist with access to the SWEP government-funded garment scheme for eligible clients.
Manual Lymphatic Drainage is a clinical lymphatic massage technique designed to physically facilitate the movement of fluid within the body. Rather than a standard remedial massage, MLD is a targeted manual therapy used to move lymphatic fluid away from overloaded or congested areas, assisting in the reduction of limb volume and the improvement of patient comfort.
At our clinic, we provide MLD as a core component of management for:
We integrate MLD into an accredited management plan, ensuring your treatment is supported by evidence-based skin care, exercise, and compression therapy.
Contact us
We listen & support
Individualised solutions
No referral is required to schedule an appointment with us. As primary healthcare providers, physiotherapists are equipped to assess and manage various health conditions. Should further investigations be necessary, we will make the appropriate referrals.
Please bring any relevant medical reports or imaging scans to your appointment. This information will help us provide the most informed and effective treatment.
Yes! If you have a chronic medical condition, your GP may be able to create a Chronic Disease Management (CDM) Plan-sometimes called a GP Management Plan or Team Care Arrangement. This plan can provide up to five Medicare-subsidised allied health visits per calendar year, which can include physiotherapy. You must seek this plan with your GP PRIOR to seeing us.
We also accept all major private health funds. While we cannot determine the exact rebate as it varies per individual policy, we will provide you with a receipt to claim from your health fund.
Yes we provide care to plan managed and self managed participants. We are not a registered provider. This means we adhere to the NDIS Code of Conduct, have an effective complaints management process (see below) and each staff member has undergone an NDIS worker screen but we have not gone through the NDIS business audit process. We cannot provide service to NDIA managed participants.
Yes, we look forward to engaging with you and your home care provider.
We kindly request 48-hours notice for cancellations. Appointments cancelled within 48 hours or missed without any notice will incur a fee equivalent to the consultation price.
Our clinic is located at 2 Holden Street, Fitzroy North. It is located on the ground floor with level access at the entry. The clinic is fully wheelchair accessible, including an accessible bathroom.
There is ample street parking on Nicholson and surrounding streets (1P, 2P and 4P). Public transport is accessible via the 96 tram.
Our consultation room chair has a seat width of 85cm, armrests and a safe working load of 350kg
The treatment table has a width of 75cm and a safe working load of 250kg
We have larger sized towels (for draping).
Should you be of a size that is greater than the furniture provided as mentioned. please get in touch. We have a range of options to support your care and will discuss how we can best provide you safe and comfortable care.
Please let us know if you have any specific or special needs or if there is anything we can do to make you feel more comfortable during your visit.
Yes, we have skills and experience in treating all manner of conditions at any body size. Additionally, we have a great professional network and will be happy to give you recommendations if we believe your care would be better managed elsewhere.
Download our guide: Five Actions of a Size-Inclusive Ally
Fill out the form below, and we will be in touch with more information.
Fill out the form below, and we will be in touch with more information.
