Understanding Lymphedema: Symptoms and Causes

Your lymphatic system is a bit like your body’s sewage system. Your cells create waste fluid called lymph, which your lymphatic system circulates into your lymph nodes, where it can be processed.

When someone develops lymphedema, lymph builds up in their lymphatic vessels, typically in the arms or legs. This results in several signs and symptoms in the affected area, including the following:

• Swelling 
• A sense of heaviness or weakness
• Tingling or aching sensations
• Restricted mobility
• Tight, rigid, or thick skin
• Repeated infections

There are two categories of lymphedema, each with different causes:

Primary Lymphedema

• Primary lymphedema develops independently, and its causes aren’t totally understood. However, it is relatively rare.

Secondary Lymphedema

• Most people with lymphedema have secondary lymphedema, meaning it develops due to another condition. In most cases, secondary lymphedema develops after cancer treatments that impact the lymph nodes, including surgery and radiation therapy. While we often hear about it in relation to breast cancer, it does develop after other types of cancer, too.

Addressing Lymphedema with Physical Therapy: What to Expect

If you develop lymphedema, it’s essential to manage your symptoms. Chronic swelling can put you at risk for several issues, including circulation problems and a higher likelihood of infection. Managing that swelling can help improve your overall mobility so that you can remain active and independent.

An In-Depth Assessment

We always start with a comprehensive exam to understand your unique needs and goals. We’ll take a complete health history and evaluate the severity of your symptoms, including testing your range of motion and assessing your swelling levels.

This information helps us create a truly customized treatment program that works for you. 

The Basis of Our Treatment Program

Almost all of our lymphedema treatment programs incorporate the following two techniques:

Manual Lymphatic Drainage

• This hands-on technique encourages lymph to move through the lymphatic system, decreasing swelling and helping the system work properly. We start with relaxation techniques and lightly massage the lymphatic vessels over your skin to get the lymph flowing.

Light Therapeutic Exercise

• Gentle exercise also encourages lymphatic drainage. We’ll create a personalized program that targets your affected limbs with gentle muscle activation exercises to help improve mobility and range of motion.

Additional Treatment Methods

In some cases, our physical therapists might suggest some additional lymphedema treatment methods, such as the following:

Wrapping

• We may suggest bandaging the entire affected limb to help encourage the lymph fluid to flow more evenly. The bandage will be tighter around your fingers or toes and then loosen as it goes up your limb.

Compression Therapy

• Compression therapy is similar to wrapping but uses specialized sleeves, stockings, or bandages to apply pressure to the affected area and help prevent lymph buildup. We can help you select the right compression wrapping for your needs, ensure it fits properly, and provide guidance on using it correctly.

Self-Management Techniques

• Several self-management strategies, including relaxation techniques, elevating the affected limb, and more, can help alleviate lymphedema symptoms when you’re not in our clinic. We’ll help you find the right ones for your needs.

Complete Decongestive Therapy

• This intensive, comprehensive approach blends several different treatment techniques to manage symptoms and reduce complications:
  • Manual lymphatic drainage
  • Therapeutic exercise
  • Wrapping or compression therapy
  • Skin and nail care
  • Self-management strategies