The lymphatic system circulates fluid, dead cells, toxins, and other waste products out of your body and back into your bloodstream to be discarded. The swelling or buildup of lymph fluid in certain parts of the lymphatic system is called lymphedema. Lymphedema typically affects a person’s extremities (their arms, legs, hands, or feet), but can affect other areas.
Lymphedema causes visible and tangible symptoms that can make life more difficult for those who experience it, leading to any number of negative mental and physical health outcomes. Although lymphedema can’t be cured, many people find relief from the symptoms of swelling and discomfort through physical therapy techniques, allowing patients to return to their normal way of life quickly and sustainably.
Lymphedema causes
Although lymphedema can be caused by inherited conditions, the vast majority of lymphedema patients experience spontaneous symptoms that arise without warning or direct cause. Among the many possible causes of lymphedema, a few risk factors seem to stand out to make it more likely you might experience lymphedema:
- Prior surgery, especially breast cancer surgery or complications following surgery
- Radiation
- Infection
- Lack of activity
- Obesity
- Kidney disease
- Heart disease
It’s important to remember that these are risk factors and not necessarily every breast cancer patient, for example, will develop lymphedema. There are other cases of lymphedema where people do not experience any other notable health conditions and still receive a lymphedema diagnosis.
Because of the complex nature of the lymphatic system and the many potential factors that affect lymphedema, our physical therapists conduct a thorough physical and medical history evaluation before assigning a lymphedema physical therapy treatment plan.
Symptoms of lymphedema
The most obvious symptom of lymphedema is the feeling of swelling or fullness in an affected area, commonly the legs. Other symptoms that might pinpoint lymphedema as a potential culprit include:
- Visibly puffy skin
- Tight or stiff joints
- Lack of visible veins or tendons in the hands or feet
- Limbs with a feeling of heaviness or fullness
- Jewelry fitting more tightly than usual
- Burning or itching
Early stages of lymphedema may have mild symptoms that subside for a time on their own, whereas when left untreated, the symptoms can worsen and no longer respond to at-home remedies. However, the condition can still be mitigated with professional attention and care.
How physical therapy can help treat lymphedema
Physical therapy has been shown to be effective in relieving the symptoms of lymphedema at all stages of the condition. In addition to staying generally healthy, avoiding unnecessary surgery, and eating a nutritious diet, our services for lymphedema treatment include the following:
- Manual lymphatic drainage
- Regular exercise
- Compression garments/bandaging
- Physical therapy stretches
We work with all our lymphedema patients to find a long-lasting solution that works for them and their unique lifestyle. To learn more about what you can expect during treatment and what your likely outcomes from lymphedema physical therapy would be, start a conversation with our team today. Call the nearest clinic location or request an appointment online to get started.
