Using posture and position to help
Good posture and careful positioning of your swollen limb will help you to control your lymphoedema.
Lymphoedema is likely to increase if you stand or sit for long periods without moving. Elevation and support will have the opposite effect and can help to reduce the problem if the swollen limb is supported just above the level of the heart. If you have a swollen arm, you can rest with the limb comfortably supported on cushions. If you have leg swelling, rest on a bed or settee with the affected limb raised and supported on pillows.
Good posture allows the muscles to work well, including the muscles that are used to breathe. Effective breathing works rather like a deep massage to help lymph drainage. When you breathe, try to expand the ribs at the base of the chest near to the waist. You can feel this part of your body expand if you place your hands on each side of the chest, just above the waist.
How to use exercise to help reduce the swelling
Exercises are activities that use muscles to move or hold a position. Even simple and easy movements involve complicated muscle activity and you can have a workout by just carrying out activities around the house! Recreational and sporting activities may also help to control the swelling as long as you gradually increase your exercise and fitness levels. The sort of exercise you do should fit your ability and can help you to gain strength and movement.
Some people enjoy taking part in recreational exercise, such as walking, playing a sport or going to the gym. With some advice you may be able to use this sort of exercise to help control the swelling. There are also exercises that can be graded to your abilities and fitness level that will help you to gain strength and movement. If you are a Leeds patient, you can ask for advice from a member of the lymphoedema team.
Exercise and Lymphoedema
Lymph flow depends on the muscles working like a pump to encourage drainage and prevent fluid from pooling. Compression garments should be worn when you exercise as they will help the muscles to work more effectively. Although exercise is a very important part of treatment, certain sorts of exercise can make the swelling worse. This can happen if the activity you are doing is harder and more demanding than usual. This can put an extra demand on the lymph drainage system. It is important to build up your activity levels gradually and monitor that what you do does not increase problems with lymphoedema.