What are Some of the Ways to Treat Lymphedema?

If you’re suffering from lymphedema, you know how painful it can be. But did you also know that if it’s not properly treated, it can cause skin infections, elephantiasis (skin hardening), or cancer? Lucky for you, there are some simple lymphedema treatments that can help you avoid lymphedema complications.

Lymphedema therapy is usually a combination of massage, exercise, and lymphedema compression.

Massage therapy and exercise help to decrease swelling, which also relieves pain. Exercise and massage can also improve your mobility.

Lymphedema compression garments help reduce fluid build-up in the arms and legs.
For lymphedema swelling of the hands and arms, try a compression gauntlet or a lymphedema sleeve. To decrease lymphedema leg swelling, compression stockings are a good choice.

Lymphedema compression garments should be worn from the time you get up in the morning until you go to bed at night.

Lymphedema Compression Garments by ContourMD

Lymphedema is a swelling of the arms or legs caused by a blockage of the lymphatic system, which prevents lymph fluid from draining properly.

There’s no cure for lymphedema, but if left untreated, it can lead to serious complications, such as infections, skin ulcers, elephantiasis (severe hardening of the skin), and even cancer. Common lymphedema treatments include massage therapy, exercise, and the use of compression garments. The goal of lymphedema treatment is to decrease pain and swelling and improve mobility.

Massage therapy and exercise help to minimize lymphedema symptoms by moving lymph out of the affected limb, which decreases swelling.

Lymphedema compression garments help keep fluid from building up in your limbs. Compression garments should be put on first thing in the morning and worn throughout the day. When worn during exercise, compression garments may help prevent swelling from lymphedema in an affected limb. It’s particularly important for you to wear a compression garment when traveling by air, because lymphedema can become worse at high altitudes.

Compression garment options for lymphedema swelling of the hands and arms include compression gauntlets and arm sleeves. For leg swelling due to lymphedema, compression stockings are the garment of choice.