A gentle approach can provide relief and healing for those suffering with lymphedema
After breast cancer surgery, the last thing a patient wants to deal with is another round of “therapy.”
Many would rather just grin and bear the pain and discomfort of swollen limbs, tightness in their joints and the loss of flexibility that comes with a condition called “lymphedema.”
But a gentle touch of a specialized massage can mean so much, not only in making them feel better, but also in speeding their recovery.
“The importance of getting treatment for lymphedema is not just cosmetic,” explained Melinda Shuler, a physical therapist who specializes in treating the condition at Chesapeake General Hospital, one of the few facilities in the area that offers specialized care for lymphedema.
“The swollen area, which you can think of like a stagnant pond, is very susceptible to infection because healthy fluids aren’t flowing through it like they should,” she added. “It can be serious, leading to infection which can cause fatal temperature spikes that can require hospitalization.”
Lymphedema is caused by the accumulation of lymphatic fluid and proteins in body tissues that often affects breast cancer patients. A specially developed massaging procedure, called “Manual Lymph Drainage,” employs a gentle, rhythmic technique to remove toxins, excess water and metabolic waste from body tissues and help the body to heal more quickly.
The technique not only minimizes discomfort, but it also promotes faster recovery following injury, surgery and chronic conditions.
“Treatment begins by using the specialized massage to remove the fluids from the area,” explained Shuler.” We follow this with medical compression bandaging that protects the area and helps maintain the reduction of fluids.”
CGH’s program also includes therapeutic exercise to improve the flow of lymphatic fluid, education on proper skin care and precautions to prevent infection, and a compression garment to maintain the progress achieved through MLD.
Like other chronic diseases, “Once you’ve gotten it, you’ll always have it,” admitted Shuler. But the good news is that “you can control it with the right materials and techniques. We stress to doctors and patients that the sooner we get this condition diagnosed and recommend treatment, the more effective it will be.”
For more information on CGH’s lymphedema therapy, call the hospital’s Rehabilitative Services Department at 757.312.6122. Many insurance plans offer coverage for the comprehensive program.
Two types of lymphedema exist
- Primary lymphedema is present in those born with lymphatic vessels that are missing or impaired.
- Secondary lymphedema can be caused when the lymph vessels are damaged or lymph nodes removed. This includes surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy or such traumatic events as a fracture, burn or wounds.
One in 10 breast cancer survivors contract lymphedema, although it has not been determined why some people contract it and others don’t. The condition can appear days, weeks, months or even years after the initial surgery. It most frequently results in swelling of the arms and legs, although it can appear on other parts of the body.
Other symptoms include
- Unusual tightness of the skin
- Loss of flexibility in the hands, ankles and wrists
- Clothing no longer fits properly in localized areas
- Jewelry is suddenly unusually tight
For more information on this condition, go to www.lymphnet.org.