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LYMPHOEDEMA
Lymphoedema Management
There are many tools that can help with the management of lymphoedema
Compression
Gold standard treatment
Compression garments, wraps or bandaging can help control swelling and support fluid movement.
We can assess whether compression is appropriate for you and help determine the correct style, fit and level of compression.
Both ready-to-wear and custom-made garments may be used depending on your needs.
Manual Lymphatic Drainage
Massage and more
Manual lymphatic drainage, or MLD, is a specialised gentle massage technique that may be used as part of lymphoedema management.
It can be useful for some people, but it is not required for everyone.
MLD is usually most effective when used as part of a broader treatment plan rather than as a stand-alone treatment.
We can also prescribe compression pumps and teach self MLD massage.
Exercise
Movement is your fluid pump
Exercise is an important part of lymphoedema management.
People with lymphoedema, or those at risk of developing it, generally do not need to avoid using or strengthening the affected arm or leg.
Appropriately progressed:
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resistance training
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walking
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cardiovascular exercise
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mobility work
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strength training
can all form part of lymphoedema management.
As physiotherapists with expertise in both oncology rehabilitation and lymphoedema, we can help you return to movement and exercise safely.
Scars & Fibrosis Management
Addressing tissue changes
Long-standing swelling, surgery, radiotherapy and scar tissue can sometimes lead to areas becoming firm, thickened or less mobile.
Where appropriate, treatment may include techniques aimed at improving tissue mobility and reducing fibrosis.
This may include hands-on treatment, exercise and other lymphoedema-specific treatment techniques. We can use negative pressure, low level laser and deep osculation therapy to induce favourable tissue changes.
LYMPHOEDEMA
Swelling, heaviness or tightness that isn’t settling?
Lymphoedema occurs when the lymphatic system is unable to adequately manage fluid in an area of the body, leading to persistent or recurring swelling.
It can affect an arm or leg, but it can also occur in the breast, chest, abdomen, genital area, face or neck.
At The Positive Health Project, we provide specialised lymphoedema assessment and treatment in Campbelltown for people living with lymphoedema, as well as those who may be at risk following cancer treatment or other medical conditions.
Concerned about swelling or changes in an area of your body? Make a booking now using our online system.
FAQ's
Could it be lymphoedema?
Early lymphoedema is not always obvious.
You may notice:
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swelling that comes and goes
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heaviness, fullness or aching
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tightness in the skin or tissues
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clothes, jewellery, bras or shoes fitting differently
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one arm or leg feeling different from the other
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reduced movement or stiffness
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swelling of the breast or chest after breast cancer treatment
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skin becoming firmer or thicker
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visible swelling that is worse later in the day
Sometimes the first sign is simply that an area feels different, even before obvious swelling appears.
If you have noticed a new or persistent change, an assessment can help determine what may be causing it and whether treatment is needed.
What is lymphoedema?
Your lymphatic system is a network of lymph vessels and lymph nodes that helps move fluid through the body and supports your immune system.
When this system has been damaged, disrupted or has not developed normally, fluid can accumulate within the tissues. This is known as lymphoedema.
Lymphoedema is considered a chronic condition, but that does not mean swelling will inevitably continue to worsen.
With appropriate treatment and self-management, lymphoedema can often be very well controlled.
Early identification is helpful because smaller changes are generally easier to manage than long-standing swelling.
Why does lymphoedema happen?
There are two main types of lymphoedema.
Secondary lymphoedema
Secondary lymphoedema develops when a previously functioning lymphatic system becomes damaged or has difficulty coping with increased demand.
Cancer treatment is one of the most common causes.
Risk may be increased following:
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lymph node removal
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sentinel lymph node biopsy
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axillary or pelvic lymph node dissection
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radiotherapy involving lymph node regions
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some cancer surgeries
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infection or recurrent cellulitis
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significant trauma or tissue damage
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chronic venous problems
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reduced mobility
Lymphoedema can develop soon after treatment or many years later.
Having lymph nodes removed or undergoing radiotherapy does not mean you will definitely develop lymphoedema.
It simply means that the lymphatic system in that area may have less capacity than it did before treatment.
Primary lymphoedema
Primary lymphoedema occurs when the lymphatic system has developed differently.
It may appear during childhood, adolescence or adulthood and sometimes develops without an obvious trigger.
Lymphoedema after cancer treatment
Lymphoedema can occur following treatment for a number of cancers, including:
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breast cancer
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melanoma
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gynaecological cancers
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prostate cancer
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head and neck cancers
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other cancers involving lymph node surgery or radiotherapy
Symptoms may develop shortly after treatment or months or years later.
The area affected depends on where lymph nodes or lymphatic structures have been treated.
Breast cancer and lymphoedema
Following breast cancer treatment, lymphoedema can affect more than the arm.
Swelling may develop in the:
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arm
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hand
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breast
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chest wall
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side of the trunk
Some people experience heaviness, tightness or fullness without obvious visible swelling.
Breast lymphoedema may also cause:
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swelling of the breast
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firmness or thickening of the tissues
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enlarged skin pores
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changes in breast shape or texture
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swelling that becomes more noticeable later in the day
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discomfort around the breast, chest or underarm
If something feels different following breast cancer treatment, it is reasonable to have it assessed.
Can lymphoedema develop years after treatment?
Yes.
Lymphoedema can develop weeks, months or many years after surgery or radiotherapy.
There is no particular point where the risk completely disappears.
That does not mean you need to constantly worry about developing lymphoedema.
It simply means that knowing the early signs can help you recognise when something may need assessment.
Assessment and treatment from an accredited lymphoedema therapist
The Positive Health Project provide lymphoedema physiotherapy from GenesisCare Campbelltown.
We work with people who have lymphoedema following cancer treatment as well as people experiencing other forms of lymphatic swelling.
Our approach looks beyond swelling alone.
We consider movement, tissue health, exercise, compression, your medical history and the impact lymphoedema is having on your day-to-day life.
Our aim is to help you understand what is happening, manage it effectively and continue doing the things that matter to you.
Concerned about swelling or lymphoedema?
If you are unsure whether your symptoms are lymphoedema, you do not need to work that out yourself.
An assessment can help determine what is happening and what, if anything, needs to be done.
