Lymphedema Therapy

Are you searching for a reliable lymphedema therapy clinic near me? OneRehab is the best option. Contact us now.

What is Lymphedema?

The lymphatic system is crucial to the immune system. It contains lymph fluid that circulates within the lymphatic system. Lymphedema then occurs when there is a blockage in this system. One can have mild lymphedema. Sometimes, apart from getting leg lymphedema, arms, chest, head, or genitals can be affected.

Can you cure lymphedema? Unfortunately, this condition is incurable. However, with the right lymphedema treatment and therapist, you can control it. Often, the condition affects people who have had surgery where the lymph nodes get removed or damaged. About 40% of patients who go through breast cancer surgery normally experience this condition, referred to as secondary lymphedema.

One can also suffer from primary lymphedema, which happens on its own.

What Causes Lymphedema?

As stated above, there are two types of lymphedema. Primary and secondary lymphedema. Mutations in some genes responsible for lymphatic system development cause primary lymphedema. These mutated genes lead to malformation of the lymphatic system, which interferes with their ability to drain fluids.

Secondary lymphedema has various causes. They include:

Cancer surgery

The lymphatic system can help spread cancer throughout the body. In efforts to prevent the spread, some surgeons can remove some lymph nodes. Once this happens, it can affect the lymphatic system, which causes lymphedema.

Radiation Therapy

Using radiation damages forming cancerous tissue. However, it can also damage surrounding lymph nodes leading to lymphedema.

Infections

If you get severe cellulitis, it can damage the surrounding lymph vessels or nodes. It can cause scarring increasing the risk of getting lymphedema. Various other parasitic infections can also increase lymphedema risk.

Inflammatory Conditions

If you have conditions that cause tissue swelling or inflammation, they can damage the lymphatic system. Such conditions include eczema and rheumatoid arthritis.

Injury and Trauma

Though rare, severe burns on the skin or injuries can cause excessive scarring, which increases the risk of lymphedema.

Cardiovascular Diseases

Cardiovascular conditions such as deep vein thrombosis, varicose veins, and venous leg ulcers can raise the risk of developing lymphedema.

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Lymphedema Symptoms

The following are signs and symptoms that you can experience in the affected leg or arm if you have lymphedema.

Part of your leg or arm swells which will also include the toes or fingers
Feeling heaviness or tightness.
Restricted or limited range of motion on the affected limb
Discomfort or aching
Infections that keep recurring
Thickening or hardness of the skin (fibrosis)

You can experience mild lymphedema, which is hardly noticeable, or the legs and the arms can become extremely hard. Sometimes after cancer treatment, the condition can stay months or even years before occurring.

Are you wondering when it is the right time to see a doctor? You can make an appointment as soon as you notice persistent swelling on your leg or arm. If you already have a lymphedema diagnosis, you should always see your doctor when you notice a dramatic increase in limb size. It can be an indication of a new process occurring.

Risk Factors

Just like many other conditions, some factors can raise the risk of developing lymphedema. They can include cancer treatment. However, others include:

Older age
Excess weight or obesity
Rheumatoid or psoriatic arthritis

Best Way to Treat Lymphedema

Though lymphedema is incurable, various treatment methods can help reduce pain and swelling.

Complex Decongestive Therapy

What is decongestive therapy for lymphedema? This is also known as CDT. This lymphedema therapy starts with a phase of intensive therapy. During the sessions, a patient receives treatment and training daily. A maintenance phase then follows it. During this phase, patients are taught how to take over their care.

There are four components in this treatment:

1. Remedial Lymphedema Physical Therapy Exercises

Patients can perform light exercises that encourage lymph fluid movement outside the leg or arm. The exercises should not be tiresome or strenuous. Lymphedema occupational therapy can help with designing exercises that focus on gentle muscle contractions.

2. Manual Lymphatic Drainage

This lymphedema cure entails a therapist massaging the lymph nodes to drain the liquid. Patients are also taught how to massage the affected limbs to drain out the fluids. This is one of the best breast lymphedema therapy as it can benefit people with active cancer. Patients are advised to work with licensed professionals for this form of therapy. However, this treatment is not for all patients suffering from lymphedema. If you have an active skin disease in the affected lymph area, infections, or blood clots, you need to avoid this therapy.

3. Skin Care

Taking care of the skin can help reduce infections such as cellulitis.

4. Multilayer Lymphedema Bandaging

When you wrap the affected arm or limb, it encourages the fluid to flow back. The bandage should be tied tightly around the toes or fingers and loosen as it moves up the leg or arm. During the maintenance phase, patients learn how to tie the bandage.

Compression Garments

You can also wear stockings or long sleeves on your leg or arm designed to compress the limbs. This compression encourages the movement of lymphatic fluid out of the affected area. Remember, for this to be effective, you will need the correct fitting for the compression garment.

As you go through the lymphedema treatment, you learn how to fit the garment correctly. There are special techniques that you will need to know. When these garments prove not enough, a compression device containing fabric fasteners can be a good option.

A combination of these treatment techniques can help you manage the condition better. Your lymphedema therapy specialists will advise on the best way to treat the condition.

Pneumatic Compression

You can also wear a sleeve around the leg or arm, which is connected to a pump that can intermittently inflate the sleeve. This action puts pressure on the limb, subsequently moving fluid away from the toes or fingers.

How Physical Therapy Helps a Lymphedema Patient

When you have been diagnosed with this condition, a physical therapist plays an important role in your lymphedema rehabilitation. Lymphedema physical therapy helps with a personalized treatment plan which helps you control the swelling. It also helps a patient return to performing activities of daily living. The physical therapy goals include:

Increasing flexibility and range of motion
Reducing swelling
Building strength
Reducing pain
Restoring lost function to increase the quality of life.

Preparing for Lymphedema Exercises

With simple exercises at a lymphedema rehabilitation clinic, the symptoms can reduce or disappear. If you are doing exercises at home, you need to consult with the physical therapists before starting. At OneRehab, we provide patient education on how best you can care for yourself at home to avoid aggravating the condition.

Additionally, if you have gone through surgery, wait until sutures are removed and the surgical drains. Also, you need to do the exercises gently. Additionally, wear loose and comfortable clothing. Warm the affected limb before attempting exercises. You can take a shower, soak in the tub or use a warm compress. Lastly, wear your compression always whenever you want to exercise.

Physical Therapy Exercises for Lymphedema

This condition has no cure, and it can only be controlled. Lymphedema therapy exercises can help in arm and leg movement aiding in lymph fluid flow. The exercises that you engage in should be light as straining the limb will make it tired. During lymphedema rehab, you learn the best way to perform exercises.

Some of the exercises you can do include:

Pelvic Tilt

Apart from conducting lymphedema self-massage therapy taught during the rehab, you can also perform pelvic tilt exercise. It is ideal for lower and upper extremity lymph drainage. You can lie on your back for the arms, bending the knee, and keeping the feet flat on the floor. Once you do so, tilt your hip to allow pressing against the floor, the small of the back. Pause and repeat the exercises as you release the contraction.

Modified Sit-up

For this exercise, you need to lie on your back, bend your knees, and keep your feet on the floor. Then, keep the pelvis and neck in a neutral position with the chin pointed at the ceiling. Exhale and lift your chest and shoulders and pause once the adnominal muscles contract. Slowly lower yourself back to the starting position and repeat. Do so as many times as you feel comfortable, and try not to rest between the sit-ups.

Ball Squeeze

You can do the exercise when standing using both arms. For this lymphedema drainage therapy exercise, you need a flexible ball a bit larger than your palm. Avoid a heavy ball but it should offer grip resistance. To do the exercise, you need to sit in a good posture.

Your neck and back should be straight with your shoulders relaxed. Hold the ball lightly between your fingers and your palm. Then, stretch the arm in front as you hold your arm above your heart.
Keep the arm raised and squeeze the ball using the fingers as tightly as possible. Hold the squeeze and release after 3 seconds. Repeat the exercise a few more times.

Shoulder Abduction

Shoulder abduction refers to moving your shoulder and arms away from the center of the body. Lymphedema therapy specialists can advise you to add light free weight as you do the exercise, putting pressure on the axillary lymph node area gently. As a result, it can help drain excess fluid. When doing this exercise, you need to feel your arms’ and shoulders’ muscles working. As you make controlled and gentle exercises, the lymph fluid moves back into circulation, helping you avoid or manage arm lymphedema. You need to wear compression garments on the arms during the exercises. To do the exercises:

Stand with your arm to your sides, maintaining a good posture. Then, on each hand with palm facing forward, hold a one-pound free weight.
Using gentle and controlled movement, slowly raise both arms out to your side and pose when the arms are not quite overhead. Hold the position for 6 seconds.
Slowly lower the arms. Use controlled movement, don’t just drop the arms. Rest and repeat the exercise 10 times.

When performing the exercise, rest or stop if your arms start swelling. As you continue with the exercise, your strength and stamina will increase, and you can gradually use heavier weights.

Occupational Therapy Role in Lymphedema

Occupational therapy is important in helping you manage the lymphedema condition. First, before starting lymphedema treatment occupational therapy, the OT conducts a thorough assessment of the affected limb. It helps them understand how your activities of daily living have been affected.

Once they have the information, they provide treatment to the affected limb. The OT educates you on all you need to know about the condition. It helps empower you on how to self-manage the swelling. You are also able to notice any changes to your limb, helping take the necessary action. During occupational therapy lymphedema training, you learn how to solve problems and new strategies to perform ADL.

Book a Lymphedema Therapy Today

If you are looking for lymphedema physical therapy near me, you need to ensure that you choose licensed professionals. Does Medicare cover lymphedema therapy? The answer is yes. Remember, if you have lymphedema, it is advisable to keep your leg or arm protected to prevent injuries. You can also keep the limb elevated to encourage the movement of the fluid. Come see our lymphedema therapists today!

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