Nortonschool - Lymphedema Treatment_ Who Can Benefit and How Can It Help

1. Lymphedema Treatment: Who Can Benefit and How Can It Help? Lymphedema negatively impacts the lives and well-being of many people. Although there is no cure, there are some treatments and activities that can help manage the condition. Medical professionals also continue to study lymphedema causes and treatment options to ensure proper care for patients. Treatment modalities nowadays include compression therapy, manual lymph drainage, and hygienic care. Exercising is also found to be beneficial to patients with lymphedema. Many other options have likewise emerged recently, including mechanical lymph drainage with devices using both active and passive muscle movements, myolymphokinetic activities, and psychological support. Myolymphokinetic activities are daily activities involving limb mobility. Both ongoing and published studies show that doing those activities and the use of compression garments maintain the losses attained in lymph drainage. How walking helps with lymphedema Walking is a form of muscle activity that can be modified into a type of daily exercise under the guidance of a therapist and following Medicare guidelines for lymphedema treatment. As suggested by a study presented at the 24th World Congress of Lymphology in September 2013, the volume of leg lymphedema decreased after walking for an hour with a properly adjusted cotton-polyester compression stocking. The study’s goal was to determine the effect of adjustments to compression stockings on reducing the leg volume of patients with lymphedema while walking. Using the right compression garment As you explore lymphedema causes and treatment, you’ll likely come across studies showing the importance of using high-quality compression garments correctly. In one of these experiments, patients were made to wear mechanism compression made of grosgrain fabric, customized according to the size of their limbs. Grosgrain fabric is ribbed and low-stretch. Ribbing enhances the fit around the leg, and the fabric can stretch less than 50 percent of its size along the ribs’ direction but stretches more across. This allows joint flexibility without reduced compression. Compression garments for exercise must also be tailored to suit the physical condition of a patient to ensure compliance with the Medicare guidelines for lymphedema treatment.

2. Many studies have proven that walking without any compression device can worsen the condition of lymphedema patients. Those who walked with poorly adjusted compression devices had slightly increased edema, but after properly adjusting the compression, the edema was minimized. Learn more You can stay up-to-date with studies and findings on lymphedema causes and treatment by signing up for courses at the Norton School of Lymphatic Therapy. These courses can also help you earn certifications that you need to progress in your career.