Services

Tips for Patients with Lymphoedema

Exercise

  • Exercise and movement can help to improve the lymph flow and to maintain mobility – seek the advice of your physiotherapist or GP for some specific exercises.
  • Point and flex your ankle or wrist, which helps to pump the fluid out of the effected limb.
  • Water-based exercises are often easier and provide compression through the water pressure as well (make sure you don’t have any open wounds on your affected limb to avoid infections).
  • Deep abdominal Breathing: helps to improve lymph flow as the biggest lymph vessels are based in our abdominal area.

Physiotherapy

  • Manual lymphatic drainage (MLD): a special massage technique to reduce swelling combined with compression garments to maintain the reduction of the swelling.
  • Elevation: place your effected limb up on a cushion or blankets so that it is at a higher level than your heart.

Self-Care

  • Self-massage: massage of lymph nodes and effleurage can help to reduce the swelling. Ask your therapist to teach you a simplified form of MLD.
  • Maintain a healthy body weight.
  • Moisturize your skin regularly.

Things to avoid

  • Avoid wounds or cuts e.g. use gloves when gardening and be careful with pedicure’s and manicure’s, avoid injections on the affected limb, avoid mosquito bites by using repellent.
  • Avoid tight clothing or jewellery which may cut into the skin; e.g. tight socks or bra straps.
  • Avoid excessive heat, sun, sauna, hot tubs etc.
  • Avoid long flights and/or take precautions (wear compression garments, move around and drink lots of water).

Recent articles

pelvic pain
Women's Health

Do you have persistent or chronic pelvic pain?

Pelvic pain is not a disease or condition on its own but really an umbrella term to describe pain anywhere between the belly button and the upper thighs both on the surface and the “inside” (bladder, uterus, ovaries, rectum, genitals). It is called persistent or chronic if it has been present (continuously or intermittently) for longer than 6 months.

Read More

Subscribe to our Newsletter

Be the first to know about news and insights.

"*" indicates required fields