Exercise may help combat lymphedema; in particular leg lymphedema responds well to exercises that target muscle contraction in legs and feet.
Individuals living with lymphedema should engage in daily exercises, but only those non-impact exercises which have received written medical clearance from their lymphedema therapist should engage in these physical activities.
Water Aerobics
People living with lymphedema are frequently encouraged to remain physically active to decrease their risk of other serious health issues, and water aerobics has proven itself as an ideal form of physical activity that is both safe and beneficial for those affected by it.
Water aerobics (also referred to as aquatic exercise) refers to any workout class performed in water. Water-based exercises offer numerous advantages: buoyancy can disproportionally unweight your body up to 90%, relieving pressure from joints and alleviating pain; making exercise less strenuous without leaving soreness behind afterward.
Exercise in water can not only ease joint and muscle pain, but it can also assist in weight loss and muscle strengthening, increase range of motion and promote better circulation – not to mention offering cardiovascular workout benefits! Water exercises offer multiple health benefits by helping with stress reduction on heart and lungs as well as increasing range of motion; all rolled into one great cardio workout!
Based on your fitness level and physician clearance, water aerobics may involve various movements. Some classes may incorporate cardio exercises designed for people living with lymphedema; other may focus more on strength training. Jumping jacks, squats, and bicep curls might all feature in an aquatic-based exercise class.
Swimming offers many arm-focused exercises, such as arm loops and shoulder rolls; pushing down on a noodle; these activities can activate axillary lymph nodes in your armpit and promote lymph flow.
Before embarking on any exercise routine, especially if you are experiencing leg or arm lymphedema, always consult your physician first. Once approved to exercise, be sure to wear compression stockings, as prescribed by your physician, and sleep with legs elevated during the night; this will assist with draining lymph fluid from your legs to avoid swelling or discomfort caused by build-up of lymph fluid in your legs.
Range of Motion Exercises
People living with lymphedema often experience leg and arm swelling that restricts range of motion. This is one of the primary symptoms associated with lymphedema and it can be very frustrating; luckily there are exercises designed specifically for lymphedema legs which may help to decrease this swelling and improve mobility. Always consult your therapist first before beginning an exercise regimen that involves lymphedema; most likely it’s safe provided exercises don’t cause pain.
Exercise for the different body parts affected by lymphedema. You can perform range of motion exercises at home or with professional help; they’re an integral component of treatment plans, as restricted range of motion can cause pain, muscle weakness, joint problems and other serious health concerns.
At least three times daily, it is advised to perform these exercises to increase and maintain flexibility in the affected area. These activities may include passive range of motion exercises, active range of motion exercises, muscle contractions and relaxations.
Passive range of motion exercises involve moving joints slowly and gently in order to avoid injury, typically under supervision from a physical therapist. Active range of motion exercises resemble stretching but require more movement; such exercises may help strengthen muscles, increase tendon flexibility, and preserve cartilage of joints by maintaining their health.
Engaging in range of motion exercises may also help remove excess fluid from a body part, since exercise contracts muscles and tendons, forcing lymph fluid away from affected areas and decreasing buildup of fluid.
To do this, begin by lying on your back with both feet elevated above your heart (with pillows or wedge). Next, slowly and carefully lift one leg out of the air until it reaches a 30-degree angle before slowly and gently lowering it again – repeat this process for both legs.
Lymphatic Drainage Exercises
Exercise can help manage lymphedema without providing a permanent cure, according to research. Exercise helps the lymph move throughout the body and decrease swelling; yet many with lymphedema avoid exercise due to fear that it will worsen symptoms. But with help from Vein Specialists of the South’s lymphedema experts it may be possible to incorporate some low-impact exercises into daily life routine.
Lymphedema is a chronic medical condition caused when lymph vessels cannot drain lymph fluid from an arm or leg properly, leaving swelling. There are two forms of lymphedema: primary and secondary. Primary lymphedema has no identifiable cause and has no treatment available, while secondary lymphedema results from another disease or injury that damages lymph nodes or vessels and requires medical intervention to address.
Regular physical activity can help reduce swelling and improve circulation in both arms and legs, but those living with lymphedema should avoid engaging in high-impact exercises like running and jumping; such activities could exacerbate inflammation caused by lymphedema, worsening their condition further.
Combining lymphatic drainage exercises and compression therapy may help patients suffering from lymphedema to reduce its severity of symptoms. Lymphatic drainage massage, an form of manual therapy that involves the therapist stroking, massaging and pumping affected limbs in a circular motion to increase lymph flow; additionally multilayered bandages or garments designed to encourage lymph flow may also be applied during massage for an added boost to lymphedema recovery.
Patients suffering from lymphedema can supplement lymphatic drainage massage with at-home lymphedema foot and leg exercises. For these exercises, the patient lies supine with their feet elevated on a pillow or wedge before performing various lymphedema-specific moves such as:
These lymphedema leg and foot exercises include toe curls, ankle pumps and arm circles – they’re easy to do and should be practiced 2-3 times each day for best results. Your lymphedema therapist can provide more details regarding intensity level for each movement – by practicing them yourself at home alongside in-office therapy treatments, you can accelerate its resolution faster!
Compression Therapy
Compression therapy helps manage swelling by applying pressure to swollen areas, relieving any associated pain caused by tissue swelling while helping lymph vessels move fluid more effectively. A lymphoedema specialist will determine how much pressure should be applied; compression garments, wraps or bandages must be fitted and adjusted properly so as not to cause pain or numbness in affected areas.
Compression therapy typically entails using elastic socks or stockings that apply pressure evenly to each limb and can be worn both daytime and at nighttime. Another type of compression therapy called intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) uses devices, like cuffs, that squeeze at specific intervals. Both forms help lower risk for blood clots in leg veins known as deep vein thrombosis (DVT).
Finding the appropriate amount of compression is vital to managing swelling and increasing lymphatic drainage. Any discomfort from compression should not cause numbness or tingling on the skin; should this happen, contact your lymphoedema specialist immediately.
While wearing compression garments, it is vitally important to maintain clean and dry limbs. This involves taking good care in moisturizing regularly while also taking steps such as wearing gloves when cooking, cleaning, gardening or using insect repellent products – this helps avoid cuts or scrapes which could potentially invite infection into the affected limb. Also it may be worthwhile using high factor sunscreen and insect repellent products – all which should help to keep limbs looking their best!
An appropriate lymphedema brace, wrap or sleeve can also assist in protecting against infections and encouraging fluid movement, making these solutions particularly valuable for people experiencing difficulties moving their arms or legs due to lymphedema.
Exercise, manual lymphatic drainage massage and compression garments are the cornerstones of effective lymphedema treatments. Following advice from your specialist and sticking with their treatment plan are also key factors in alleviating symptoms and increasing quality of life.
