Inspiring Conversations with Tina Shin of OC Lymphatics

Today we’d like to introduce you to Tina Shin.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Never did I ever think I would end up being an occupational therapist (OT) who specializes in the lymphatic system but as fate would have it, I guess this is what I was destined to do!

As I was finishing my clinical doctorate, I had an incredible opportunity to complete a residency/fellowship program at the Keck Medical Center of USC, which is a tertiary/quaternary care hospital that often manages extremely rare and complex cases. It was here that I got exposed to the world of lymphatics, oncology, pre- and post-surgical care with a multidisciplinary approach. I worked very closely with our renowned surgeons and provided OT consultations in their clinics, where I would hear patient after patient share various heartbreaking stories of how their lymphedema or lipedema had gone decades without being properly diagnosed, let alone treated. I often sat and wondered, “why do so few medical professionals know about the lymphatic system??” Come to find because there is very little taught on the lymphatic system in medical school. I soon found that the more I learned more about this mysterious system, the more my fascination and passion for it grew.

All the meanwhile, during my residency I was helping to establish a multidisciplinary program for newly diagnosed breast cancer patients that would allow them to receive pre- and post-surgical OT services along their entire continuum of care. This is where the magical blending of my two passions merged: lymphatic work and oncology care. From this merging, came the discovery for my third passion: peri-surgical care. Having the opportunity to help patients navigate all of the challenges that come with surgery and/or a cancer diagnosis – from the physical rehabilitation to the psychological/emotional ups and downs – was such an honor and was so rewarding that I knew I could not see myself doing any other kind of work.

After working at the hospital and running a part-time private practice, I recently went all-in with my private practice where I now get to do all the work I am passionate about – helping my clients navigate through their cancer journeys, aiding recovery from various types of different surgeries, and optimizing their lymphatic systems for overall wellness or to combat effects from conditions like autoimmune disorders, long covid, ME/chronic fatigue syndrome, etc.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Lymphatic work has gotten very trendy and while it’s great that people are paying more attention to their lymphatic system, there is also an incredible amount of misinformation floating around. There are so many “therapists” who have jumped on the bandwagon and claim to be certified after one weekend course then perform techniques that are not only incorrect, but could be downright dangerous especially when it comes to post-surgical care. These practices have become so common that even some surgeons now believe that these techniques are true “lymphatic drainage” when in reality, they are very far from it. There is very little regulation when it comes to lymphatic work, and this can be incredibly frustrating for those of us who are trying to provide proper care to our patients.

Constant changes to our healthcare system have also proven to be a big challenge. With insurance companies continuously making cuts to reimbursement rates, maintaining a standalone insurance-based clinic is virtually impossible. I loved being able to help underserved populations at the hospital, but I am still struggling to find a way to incorporate this in my private practice while still being able to stay afloat. Unfortunately, this is one of the reasons it is so difficult to find qualified therapists who are willing to enter this specialty.

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about OC Lymphatics?
I specialize in helping my clients to optimize their lymphatic system and to manage some of the side effects that might occur when their lymphatic system doesn’t work quite like it should, such as swelling, inflammation, pain, fatigue, and lowered immunity. The clients that I see most often are those who are recovering from surgeries like plastic and reconstructive surgeries, orthopedic surgeries, lipedema surgery, or microsurgery for lymphedema, as well as patients along their cancer journey, or those simply wanting to optimize their lymphatic system to be as healthy as possible. I do this mostly through manual therapies such as manual lymphatic drainage (or commonly referred to as “lymphatic massage”), fascial release, soft tissue mobilization, compression therapy, and education.

One thing that sets me apart from others is that I am a doctor of occupational therapy with CLT-LANA credentialing, which is the highest level of credentialing available for lymphatic work in the United States. I have had very unique opportunities to work with some of the most complex cases from all over the country and I still love taking on challenging cases to come up with solutions that may require thinking outside of the box. Additionally, I provide care in my clients’ homes, which they find extremely helpful especially after surgery. As an OT, I highly value the opportunity to see the exact home environment that my clients have to navigate as they recover, so that I can assess whether there are any specific modifications that I might recommend to make their recovery easier.

I am most proud of the fact that this is not a job to me. It is a calling and I pour my heart into providing the best care that I can, in partnership with my clients, to help get them back to where they want to be. The biggest compliment I get is when clients tell me what an integral part of their healing journey I have been or continue to be.

Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
I am in the car a LOT so podcasts are a godsend. Lately, I am very much into the Mel Robbins podcast! She has interesting guests and covers such varied topics, from living a healthy lifestyle to navigating difficult conversations. You can also catch me nerding out to financial podcasts like Suze Orman’s Women & Money podcast 😊

In terms of resources that help me at work, I find that my clients often end up being the best resources. I am always so impressed by how much research and learning they do to get the answers they seek since they so often are not able to get them from anyone else.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.oclymphatics.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oclymphatics/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/oclymphatics