June marks Lipoedema Awareness Month, an important opportunity to raise awareness of a chronic condition that remains widely misunderstood, underdiagnosed and often mistaken for general weight gain or obesity.

At Clinical Laser Therapy Australia (CLTA), the team is passionate about supporting people living with chronic pain, inflammation and lymphatic conditions through advanced Photobiomodulation Therapy (PBMT) and evidence-informed rehabilitation approaches. During Lipoedema Awareness Month, the focus is on education, understanding and helping individuals know they are not alone.

What Is Lipoedema?

Lipoedema is a chronic connective tissue disorder characterised by the abnormal accumulation of fat tissue, most commonly in the legs, hips and sometimes the arms. It almost exclusively affects women and often develops during periods of hormonal change such as puberty, pregnancy or menopause.

Unlike general weight gain, lipoedema tends to present symmetrically and is often associated with pain or tenderness in the limbs, easy bruising, swelling or heaviness, increased sensitivity to touch, and fat distribution that does not significantly improve with diet or exercise.

Research suggests that lipoedema may affect around 11% of women worldwide, although many people remain undiagnosed for years.

More Than a Cosmetic Concern

One of the greatest challenges for people living with lipoedema is that the condition is frequently misunderstood.

Many individuals report spending years trying restrictive diets or intense exercise programs without improvement in the affected areas. This can have a significant emotional and physical impact.

Over time, lipoedema may also affect mobility, contribute to chronic inflammation and place increased strain on the lymphatic system, potentially leading to lipo-lymphoedema, where swelling and lymphatic dysfunction occur together.

Supporting Tissue Health and Recovery

At Clinical Laser Therapy Australia, the focus is on providing non-invasive, evidence-based therapies designed to support healing, reduce inflammation and improve quality of life.

CLTA uses advanced Photobiomodulation Therapy (PBMT), also known as low-level laser therapy or laser photomedicine, which works by delivering therapeutic light energy to tissue at a cellular level. PBMT has been studied for its potential role in supporting tissue repair, reducing inflammation and assisting lymphatic function.

For individuals living with lipoedema, supportive therapies may help address pain and tenderness, inflammation, tissue sensitivity, circulation and lymphatic flow, and mobility support.

Bringing Advanced Therapy to Regional Communities

With clinics in Moama, NSW and Bendigo, VIC, Clinical Laser Therapy Australia is committed to making advanced laser therapy more accessible to regional communities.

Founder Matthew McLindon and the CLTA team continue to advocate for greater awareness around chronic inflammatory and lymphatic conditions, particularly those that are often overlooked or misdiagnosed.

“Many people living with lipoedema have spent years searching for answers,” the team says. “Awareness is important because understanding the condition can help people access appropriate support earlier and feel validated in their experience.”

Raising Awareness This June

Lipoedema Awareness Month is about more than awareness — it’s about recognising the lived experience of those affected and helping more people access informed care and support.

If you are experiencing persistent swelling, heaviness, pain or disproportionate fat distribution that doesn’t respond to conventional approaches, seeking advice from appropriately trained health professionals may help you better understand your symptoms and explore supportive management options.

Helpful Resources

Lipoedema Australia – https://www.lipoedema.org.au/

Lipoedema Association Australia – https://www.lipoedemaaustralia.com.au/

Healthdirect Australia – https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/lipoedema

Clinical Laser Therapy Australia – https://clta.com.au/

Contact the caring and supportive team at CLTA today!