Here you will find information on what you can do to care for yourself, and the treatments we offer for lymphoedema. Living with lymphoedema can be challenging, but we can discuss treatment options, working at a pace that is comfortable for you. We will help you to develop a ‘toolkit’ of skills and knowledge to help you to live well with lymphoedema.
Self-care for lymphoedema
Learning about your condition and how it can be managed helps you to make choices about your health and daily life. It can also help to talk to health professionals, family and friends about what support you will need. To care for yourself:
- Take extra care of your skin by keeping it clean and well moisturised
- Click for information About Cellulitis – Lymphoedema Support Network – LSN
- Protect yourself against cuts, infections, insect bites and burns, as these put extra demands on your lymphatic system
- Exercise or move regularly to keep your lymphatic system working well. Try simple seated movements such as the Tripudio lymphatic flow sequence (scroll down this page for a link). You might prefer water-based classes or swimming, seeing a personal trainer at the gym, stretching movements, yoga, Tai Chi, or regular walking. Get advice on what will help you, but be sure it is something that you will enjoy so you can keep it up.
- Eat healthy foods, reduce your intake of ultra-processed foods, and manage your weight; when fat tissue increases, your lymphatics have to work harder
- Wear a compression garment, such as a sleeve or stocking to reduce swelling and improve lymph drainage
- Learn relaxation techniques to help you deal with stress and anxieties.
Lymphoedema treatments
We will listen to your personal experience of lymphoedema. We will undertake a full assessment of your lymphoedema, your medical history and personal circumstances. This will help us to work with you to develop a treatment programme to suit your individual needs and wishes.
We offer:
- Manual lymph drainage (MLD): A gentle, but very specific massage, that moves the skin, improves drainage in the lymphatic system, and redirects fluid away from swollen areas. We also combine this with scar treatments and connective tissue release techniques. We can teach you, and/or a carer, how to do an adapted version of MLD.
- Deep oscillation therapy: combined with MLD, this battery-powered device can be used to provide a very gentle but deep effect on the tissues, softening scars and fibrosis, and enhancing lymph drainage.
- Compression bandaging: Bandaging helps to reduce swelling, and improve the skin condition. It is undertaken with or without MLD.
- Compression garments: There are many available lymphoedema sleeves, stockings and other garments. These are usually prescribed through your GP. We can measure you and then write to your GP so they can prescribe the correct size for you.
- Kinesiotaping: A specialist adhesive tape that is applied to the skin. The tape helps to reduce swelling by redirecting fluid towards the healthy lymphatics. You can learn to use the tape yourself. It is not available on prescription but we can recommend where you can buy it.
Tripudio is a movement sequence designed to improve lymph drainage. The Tripudio lymphatic flow sequence takes around 10 minutes. Try to do it once a day if you have lymphoedema. Follow the video below where Val demonstrates the seated lymphatic flow:
