Remedial Massage techniques. I provide a service for manual lymphatic drainage for simple cases such as with ankle sprains and so on. This is a very gentle. The Role of Manual Lymphatic Drainage. Edema and to promote range of motion. Begin with gentle Water. The Benefit of Aquatic Exercise for Lymphedema.

Today I would like to share with you an article on aquatic exercises written by Mary Essert, B.A., ATRIC for this blog. Mary specializes in creation and delivery of water fitness and post rehab aquatic programs for individuals with disabilities and conditions such as Arthritis, Fibromyalgia, Breast Cancer, lymphedema, post Polio Syndrome and chronic pain issues. More information on Mary Essert is available at the bottom of the article. I would also like to inform you that all the exercises for the upper and lower extremities I covered in the last blog entry () may be performed in the water as well. Here is Mary’s article: Following Joe Zuther’s recent article on Resistive Exercises, this article would be a natural sequence and serve as an introduction to another non-invasive tool to use in management of lymphedema symptoms.

In addition to a number of other benefits, aquatic exercises have a strengthening effect on the musculature. The buoyancy effect water has on the musculoskeletal system makes movement more comfortable.

Range of motion and flexibility are increased when in a warm water pool and the cardio vascular system is working more effectively, so an aerobic workout is possible. Additionally, the hydrostatic pressure acts like a “full-body garment” and helps to reduce edema, and stress is reduced when an individual with lymphedema is in the water. In short, the movements in the water are resistive, assistive/supportive, compressive, massaging, relaxing and comforting. Deep abdominal breathing enhances pumping in the thoracic duct, one of the large lymph vessels located in the abdominal and thoracic area. Muscle contraction performed distally (hands and feet) helps return venous and lymphatic fluid.

A new body of knowledge demonstrates great success with individuals when combining intense one- hour sessions with Manual Lymph Drainage (MLD) procedures. This combination and team approach is proving most effective; Lynette Jamieson, Director of Aquatic and Rehab Services in Mesa, AZ, has utilized this technique with good result. Education of individuals who have lymphedema and who desire to participate in aquatic exercise is vital, and knowledge of other conditions or possible side effects from chemotherapy and radiation, such as neuropathy, is necessary.

Learning to listen to our own bodies in terms of frequency, intensity and time spent exercising is our job. My personal experience is that three exercise sessions per week is a minimum, but the alternate days I perform other forms of exercise, to include a cardio workout and gentle to moderate strengthening exercises.

Benner From Novice To Expert Pdf Editor. Personal goals need to be expressed and merged with those of the therapist or personal trainer who works with an individual who has lymphedema. Hi Joe I have been doing water exercises and teaching my patients the value of doing water exercises for the last 4 years. I started with myself and saw a tremendous difference; i was trying to loose weight that is how it got started and then I thought this would be great to do for my patients. When I showed them some simple exercises to do in the pool they had amazing results. The patients who tried it stated they felt not as exahausted performing these exercises in the pool and patients who had problems in the trunk area with fluid had a decrease in fluid. I highly suggest patients get in the pool •.

Hi, I recently started swimming to control post-breast cancer arm lymphedema. The first few times my arm felt amazing, but the last time it actually didn’t feel so good during the swim, and then swelled up in the couple of hours afterwards. I wonder if this could be due to chlorine (my skin was particularly dry that day), but my LE therapist says it could have been due to cardiovascular pumping, and that I should compress for a couple hours afterwards. I have the option to switch to a low-chlorine pool, although this would be more inconvenient and expensive. Any thoughts?

I have lower extremity lymphedema, genetic but exacerbated by injury. I have started doing an aquatic fitness class, which is actually a high energy aerobic class and it is WONDEFUL! I had a lot of soreness the first few weeks but that is passing. The hydrostatic pressre, the cool water temperature (82F) and the ability to move about any way I want has been a real blessing in dealing with the lymphedema and my arthritis. I highly recommend it for lymph patients as well as anyone who wants a refreshing workout!! This article was great, btw, and my instructor has us doing many of the warm up and cool down exercises, including the breathing. I am former competitive swimmer, 45 year old recent Breast cancer Survivor with dominant arm and hand lymphedema.