IPC Physical Therapy Center - Lymphedema/Lymphedema upper extremity self drainage exercises

Lymphedema

Lymphedema upper extremity self drainage exercises
Lymphedema upper extremity self drainage exercises

Exercises


For upper extremity lymphedema patients



Principle of exercise:


·       It is important to exercise to enhance drainage and keep your range of motion functionally after operations

·       Exercises should be pleasant & should not reach the level of fatigue.

·       It should be done while wearing compression garments or bandages.

·       If you have a limb at risk, wear your garment during exercise.

·       Too much exercises or wrong kind of exercises can harm you, ask your therapist about the dose and time.

·       Exercise ideally should be done twice per day.



Exercises should be done in 3 groups:


A: Self drainage exercises


Aim: this group of exercises helps you to drain the remaining fluid from your affected limb


1.    Deep breathing exercise


Aim: it improves both lympthatic and blood circulations

Procedure:Do for one minute
-Lie down and relax with your arm elevated.
-Do deep diaphragm breathing.
-As you breathe in, your stomach should rise.
-As you breathe out, your stomach should sink.

Caution: it should be done only 5-7 times


 

 


 

 


2.    Clears supraclavicular lymph nodes


Aim: stimulate and activate the working lymph nodes (both sides)

Procedure:  Do 15 times, slowly.
-Place your fingers in the hollows of your neck, just above the collar bone on both sides of your neck.
-Very gently stretch the skin down towards the center of your body, keeping your hands above the collar bone.

Caution: do it gently,do not press to hard

 

 




 

 

3.    Clears axillary lymph nodes


Aim: stimulate and activate the working lymph nodes (other side)

Procedure:do 15 times on unaffected side, 5 times on affected side.
-Stretch the skin over the lymph nodes in your armpit on the opposite side of the affected arm. Do that on bare skin.
-Stretch should be gentle &half a circle.
-Direction should be up and towards your neck but your hand stays in the armpit.
-Then do the same thing on the affected side.

 

 






4.    Clears inguinal lymph nodes


Aim: stimulate and activate the working lymph nodes (same side)

Procedure: d o 15 times.
-Place one or both hands on the fold at the top of your leg.
-Gently and slowly scoop up towards your belly button.
-Your hands should remain in the fold at the top of your leg and do not move it over your stomach.

Caution: do it gently,do not press too hard

 

 



 

 

5.    Proximal self drainage


Aim: clears and stimulate the lymph vessels that connects between your affected arm and the sound inguinal lymph nodes

Procedure: gently move your skin towards your inguinal lymph node (your hip at the same side of your affected arm)

 


 


 

 

 

Create a pathway1:


Aim: moves lymph fluid from your affected arm to your healthy lymphatic circulation

Procedure: -Starting in the mid line of your chest,stroke slowly and gently towards the axillary nodes (armpit) on your unaffected side.
-Gradually extend the strokes until you are stroking from the shoulder on your affected side all the way over the axillary nodes in the armpit of your unaffected side.
-Make your strokes short, soft, and slow. Do on bare skin.

 

Create a pathway 2:


Aim: moves lymph fluid from your affected arm to your healthy lymphatic circulation

Procedure:-Starting below your waist, gently and slowly stroke down to the bend at the top of your leg.
-Gradually go higher until you are stroking your armpit on your affected side all the way down to the inguinal nodes at the bend at the top of your leg.
-Make your strokes short, soft, and slow. Do on bare skin.







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