Can you be healed from lymphedema?
Treatment focuses on reducing the swelling and preventing complications. Lymphedema (swelling of arm/leg/face or neck) is a common side effect associated with patients after cancer treatment, caused by damage to the lymphatic system such as the removal or radiation of lymph nodes in cancer surgery, or infection of the lymphatic system (secondary lymphedema).
In order to reduce the swelling it is necessary to re-route the lymph flow. This goal is achieved by a combination of different treatment modalities, all of which are integral components of complete decongestive therapy (CDT), and include:
-Manual Lymph Drainage (MLD),
-Compression therapy,
-Decongestive and breathing exercises and
-Skin and nail care