LYMPHEDEMA after Breast Cancer - 7 Strategies that Worked

Lymphedema after Breast Cancer Treatment - this video covers the 7 strategies that I used to address my own lymphedema - and it worked really well! This is a really common side effect and even more common when you add radiation into the mix.
➡️ FREE Stretching Guide - breast-cancer-...
➡️ Printable Step-By-Step GUIDES for Post-Surgery Rehab & Common Side Effects - breastcancerre...
✔️ Rehab Exercises Post-Surgery and Healthy Shoulders Beyond Breast Cancer
✔️ Cording (Axillary Web Syndrome)
✔️ Radiation Fibrosis
✔️ Scar Massage after Breast Cancer Surgery
⭐️ LYMPHEDEMA STUFF:
Compression bras (save 10%):
HuggerPRIMA (Moderate to High Compression) - collabs.shop/y...
HuggerVIDA (Low to Moderate Compression) - collabs.shop/b...
Compression sleeve - amzn.to/3x1tIhG
Compression glove - amzn.to/3yGSBjk
Cupping set - amzn.to/3FbNpUh
Kinesiotape (roll) - amzn.to/3PKcFWT
Kinesiotape (fan strips) - amzn.to/3tqDnvU
❇️ My favourite rehab & recovery products - amazon.com/shop...
🔅 Enjoying my videos? If you want to show some love and support consider contributing to “Buy Me a Coffee” - www.buymeacoff...
⭐️ RELATED VIDEOS
Lymphedema 101 - • Lymphedema After Breas...
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Lymphedema Therapist Q&A - • Expert Advice: Lymphed...
⭐️ RESOURCES:
Marco, E., Trépanier, G., Chang, E. et al. Postmastectomy Functional Impairments. Curr Oncol Rep 25, 1445-1453 (2023)
Akezaki Y et al. Risk Factors for Lymphedema in Breast Cancer Survivors Following Axillary Lymph Node Dissection. Prog Rehabil Med. 2019 Nov 23
Gillespie TC, Sayegh HE, Brunelle CL, Daniell KM, Taghian AG. Breast cancer-related lymphedema: risk factors, precautionary measures, and treatments. Gland Surg. 2018 Aug;7(4):379-403
Breast cancer-related lymphedema: risk factors, precautionary measures, and treatments. Gland Surg. 2018 Aug; 7(4): 379-403.
Resistance exercise can reduce the number and intensity of flares. Schmitz, K.H. et al. Weight lifting in women with breast-cancer-related lymphedema. N. Engl. J. Med. 2009, 361, 664-673.
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[@breast-cancer-rehab]

If you had lymphedema what worked best for you?

[@amyl5764]

Swimming has been excellent for both radiation fibrosis and the mild lymphedema. My oncologists encouraged me to go back to swimming as soon as I could. I swam all during radiation (no open sores from radiation) and I still swim 5x a week for 30 minutes.
My PT was very happy to hear I was a swimmer- the movement/pressure of the water circulating as you swim and the big overhead motions and the low impact all combine for a great lymphedema workout.
After cleared by my PT I have also added resistance training 3x a week with a personal trainer which is good both for my lymphedema and bone density as I am on AI adjuvant therapy for 5 years.
Also reducing sodium intake drastically has been another key- good for both blood pressure and managing lymphedema.
I want to try the K Tape but haven’t yet, need to watch some videos on how to do it properly. I have edema in my breast itself from lumpectomy and the lymphedema in my arm so I think this might help.

[@breast-cancer-rehab]

@amyl5764 Thank you so much for sharing! I also found swimming to be helpful with radiation fibrosis with constantly moving my arms through a really big motion. I’m sure it helped my lymphedema too. The consistency and frequency that you’re working out will be sure to help your symptoms on going!

[@Elaine-w2s]

@@amyl5764 what AI are you on? did you have chemo?

[@nancydann1332]

Thank you. Great info!

[@breast-cancer-rehab]

Glad it was helpful! All the best with your recovery.

[@annaerika-aesthetic9063]

Many thanks for your very valuable information. Many thanks for your very valuable information.

[@breast-cancer-rehab]

Glad it was helpful!

[@KaraibaP]

As always excellent information. Thank you for sharing 🙏❤

[@breast-cancer-rehab]

Thank you! Hope it helps with your recovery too.

[@physiolympha]

What you mentiom and show in most photos, seems to be actually post surgical/ radio oedema , possibly ar some stage seroma :)
While all your suggestions are helpful for this, in case of proper arm lymphoedema, one needs to be careful with regards to certain massage techniques shown and cupping. Compression garment selection shown is not correct for moderate to severe lymphoedema. In such cases custom made flat knit full glove woudl be needed :)

[@breast-cancer-rehab]

Thanks for your input. My swelling definitely wasn't post-surgical as it started 6 mths after surgery. Likewise it wasn't a seroma. It's challenging to depict swelling that's in the chest/breast area as I'm not exactly going to be showing photos on the internet!...so what I'm talking about isn't actually visible. It was as you thought, related to radiation as it started 3 mths post-rads. That's why the cupping and self-massage worked well for me. As I said in the video it's key for women to see a certified lymphedema therapist to figure out the right treatment approach for them. One of the most important take aways from the video is for other thrivers to know that lymphedema symptoms CAN be addressed.

[@physiolympha]

@breast-cancer-rehab indeed :))) keep sharing good content :))
We hope to share more videos soon too :))