Physical therapy for lymphedema focuses on blockage in the lymph nodes that is preventing adequate drainage of lymph (the fluid that transports bacteria to lymph nodes to be destroyed) throughout the body, which leads to severe swelling in the distressed limbs. The therapy entails massage, manual drainage of blocked lymph fluid as well as management of the illness with compression garments. Treatment with air compressed bladders and elevation may also be utilized in normalizing the size of the limbs. This type of training is generally performed by a specialist physical therapist at a medical facility and continued daily by the patient or caregiver at home.
What Are The Goals Of Lymphedema Physical Therapy Treatment?
- Improved range of flexibility and movement.
- Less swelling.
- Less pain.
- More strength.
- Restoring function and improving the overall quality of life.
What Does Lymphedema Physical Therapy Treatment Include?
- One-on-one and hands-on therapy in a private treatment room lasting 45-75 minutes.
- Lymphatic drainage, soft tissue mobilization, and scar mobilization.
- Electrical stimulation, modalities, and ultrasound.
- Therapeutic exercises that include: range of motion stretches, and strengthening.
- Patient guidance as to maintaining decreased edema, improving posture, body mechanics, skincare.
- Applying compression garments and bandaging.
Appropriate Physical Therapy For Lymphedema
Massaging The Limbs
This is the first step in lymphedema physical therapy treatment. Complex decongestive therapy (CDT) is regularly prescribed for patients with lymphedema. This entails daily sequential massaging done by the therapist to decrease swelling in the affected limbs. Motion PT Group has trained physical therapists that focus on relieving pressure on the limb to move the blocked lymph fluid throughout the body. Once the swelling has subsided, and the limb is standard size, exercising can be taught to friends and family of the patient who must continue a daily routine to prevent swelling in the future.
Exercises
Since the illness can not be cured, but merely controlled, it is essential to provide attentive care of the affected limbs. The patient must engage in light exercises only. A physical therapist will assist you with learning the exercises which are designed for gently contracting the muscles and pushing the lymph fluid out of the affected area. Other methods include elevation of the limb or compression with air bladders. Both methods are advantageous for moving the lymph in the right direction. Once the lymph fluid is unblocked, it must be drained manually through a tube and into a bag which is connected to the tube.
Compression Garments
This is a crucial step in continuing with lymphedema therapy treatment. Compression garments are tubes of elastic, stretchy material that looks like cloth bandage, which is stretched over the limb. The pressure generated from the tube helps to keep the limb from swelling due to build-up of lymph fluid. For this method to be effective, the patients are measured by a medical doctor after which a garment is a custom made for them. Compression garments are generally worn each day and taken off for only short periods when the patient baths or sleep.