Lymphedema commonly occurs after operations for various cancers, and can happen in patients in any age or physical condition. Specifically, it can be a consequence of lymph node removal or radiation treatment as well. While cancer treatment can be lifesaving, lymphedema unfortunately can have a very negative effect on quality of life. The resulting swelling, feelings of heaviness, and discomfort can lead to fatigue and lowered ability to engage in necessary or chosen daily activities. Getting care for lymphedema early on is the right choice for controlling symptoms and preventing complications. Physical therapy for lymphedema can be majorly helpful for almost all patients – this PT method takes an evidence-based approach to reduce swelling, restore function, and improve confidence after cancer treatment.
At JAG Physical Therapy, New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania’s most trusted name in PT, our compassionate and skilled therapists have a great deal of experience treating lymphedema and helping people return to their normal routines post-cancer surgery. Our approach combines specialized forms of manual therapy with exercise and various advanced modalities as needed, tailored to each patient’s individual needs. Book an appointment now to get started or read more below on how physical therapy treatment can reverse the symptoms of cancer treatment-related lymphedema.
What Is Lymphedema?
Just as the circulatory system delivers blood, containing oxygen and other important components, around the body, there is a parallel set of bodily structures called the lymphatic system. Lymph, a protein and lipid-based fluid, flows through this system, exchanging substances with the blood and the bodily cells and transporting pathogens to the lymph nodes to be destroyed. When some of the vessels of the lymphatic system are damaged or have functional failures, the lymph can leak out directly into tissue. Over time, this causes pooling of the fluid with the lymphatic system having no way to remove it, as its action is much more indirect and passive than the circulatory system. This buildup of fluid is usually seen in the arms or legs, and it causes swelling, which is known as lymphedema.
The primary symptom of lymphedema is an increase in the volume of soft tissue, with a distended and puffy appearance. In the limbs, which is the usual site of lymphedema, it can cause a subjective feeling of awkwardness or difficult movement. Over time, lymphedema may cause other skin changes such as discoloration and thickening, and in severe cases it can increase the chances of infection and cause ulcers. Many patients are also concerned about the way body parts affected by lymphedema look, as they can become swollen and asymmetrical.
Lymphedema most usually occurs as an aftereffect of cancer treatment. While it usually develops quickly after surgery or a course of radiation therapy, it can also arise later on in recovery without signs beforehand. Lymphedema is a chronic condition and it can be progressive, potentially worsening over time. However, with the correct treatment, lymphedema symptoms can be managed to the point that they are much less disruptive and noticeable. Patients usually don’t find it burdensome to manage their lymphedema, and if they do so, it is not considered a major health concern.
How Can Cancer Treatment Lead to Lymphedema?
Even though lymphedema has unpleasant symptoms that can cause day-to-day problems, it is not an unforeseen complication in cancer treatment. Rather, this condition is a known outcome that occurs in a significant percentage of people recovering from cancer, and it is manageable, with physical therapy for lymphedema being the most reliable and effective treatment method.
In particular, people who have certain forms of cancer must have lymph nodes removed, as these structures can be reservoirs for cancerous cells, and examining them is often necessary to determine cancer progression. Because lymph nodes take in lymph and filter it in their normal function, any one of them being removed closes off an exit on the “highway” of lymphatic fluid, which naturally changes the pattern of lymphatic flow. Radiation therapy is also known to result in lymphedema, as is general scarring after surgery. Of course, lymphoma is associated with lymphedema during recovery, but so are other common cancers that occur in lymph node-rich areas. These include melanoma, breast cancer, various gynecologic cancers, prostate cancer, and malignant tumors of the head and neck.
How Does Physical Therapy for Lymphedema Help Manage Symptoms?
Specialized physical therapy for lymphedema is a non-invasive way to reduce and manage any symptoms of this condition and control the effects in the long term. JAG PT utilizes Complete Decongestive Therapy for lymphedema, which is considered the best treatment for most patients, along with additional physical therapy techniques when necessary. Our approach uses manual lymphatic drainage as a primary technique, as this manual therapy-based method helps to restore both the affected limbs and the lymphatic system to more normal functioning.
Compression techniques and advice on the use of specialized garments and other devices helps keep tissue free of excess lymph buildup after it has been drained, thus improving appearance and movement. Patients with lymphedema after cancer treatment may be recommended various types of exercise, from gentle range-of-motion to specific aerobic or mobility routines. And skin care education helps patients avoid both symptoms that are inconvenient, such as dryness, and more serious ones like cutaneous infection. All of these general forms of treatment are customized to each of our patients, giving everyone the path to lymphedema relief that works best for them.
What Are the Benefits of Lymphedema Physical Therapy After Cancer Surgery?
The primary effects of post-cancer surgery lymphedema physical therapy are a reduction in swelling, limb heaviness, and discomfort. These forms of symptom relief lead to many more benefits, including improved range of motion and joint function and a lessened risk of infection and other complications. This means more energy and capacity for performing daily activities, along with increased confidence in one’s appearance and day-to-day capabilities, leading to more sense of control over the post-operative recovery process.
It’s hard to overstate how many ways quality of life can improve when lymphedema symptoms are treated. For example, in one person alone, relieving swelling in the left arm can mean they can type much faster due to the hands moving at the same rate again, they no longer have daily finger or elbow discomfort, and they can once again wear their wristwatch collection.
What Can I Expect During Lymphedema Physical Therapy at JAG PT?
Lymphedema treatment at JAG PT begins with your therapist fully evaluating your condition, concentrating on the level of swelling, how mobile your affected bodily areas are, your skin health, and any related health conditions you have and your personal recovery goals. They will work with you to create a personalized lymphedema care and management plan, which will typically include hands-on treatment such as manual therapy along with an exercise regimen and other educational guidance. Our therapists are invested in your long-term recovery success, so they will train you in lymphedema self-management strategies such as at-home exercise, condition monitoring, and compression and elevation techniques.
JAG Physical Therapy: Supporting You Through Your Cancer Recovery
The skilled physical therapists at JAG PT’s more than 160 locations in the NY-NJ-PA region are extensively trained in many general and specialized PT methods. They have many years of collective experience in oncology-related rehabilitation, and our team has helped countless patients in recovery from cancer move better, reduce pain, and relieve symptoms of issues such as lymphedema. When we design your individualized PT care plan, we’re committed to restoring your day-to-day comfort, musculoskeletal function, and independence. Schedule your appointment today to begin your recovery journey after cancer treatment and see if PT for lymphedema is right for you.