Lymphedema and Lymphatic Drainage Massage to Improve Symptoms

Learn more about Lymphedema and lymphatic drainage massage to improve symptoms.

This condition is characterized by the swelling resulting from the accumulation of lymph fluids in the soft tissues of your body. The lymphatic system is a vital network. There are benefits in using lymphatic massage to manage and improve the symptoms associated with this condition.

What is Lymphedema?

Lymphedema is swelling due to the accumulation of protein-rich lymphatic fluid in soft body tissues. The lymphatic system is responsible for carrying a fluid called lymph throughout the body.

Lymph is made up of water, fat, protein and debris. Lymph drains into lymph vessels from tissues and organs and is carried to the lymph nodes. It is then filtered through the lymph nodes and eventually returned to the bloodstream.

When the lymph system isn’t working properly, your body accumulates these fluids resulting in swelling. The swelling is known as lymphedema. There's no cure for this condition but you can manage symptoms through lymphedema therapy. This includes manual lymphatic drainage massage, exercise, compression, and skincare.

What Causes Lymphedema?

There are two main types: Primary and Secondary.

Primary Lymphedema is a congenital condition that affects your lymphatic system.

This type mainly affects women. It usually shows up in infancy, during puberty, or pregnancy. Rarely, people over 35 can also develop late-onset lymphedema.

If surgery, trauma, or radiation therapy damages your lymphatic system, it can cause secondary lymphedema. This leads to a buildup of lymph fluid in the affected tissues. Unlike the primary type, which is often present from birth and caused by developmental issues with the lymphatic system, the secondary type is acquired later in life. Some common causes of secondary lymphedema include:

Surgery: Lymphedema can occur as a result of surgical procedures that involve the removal or damage to lymph nodes. This is particularly common in cancer surgeries, such as mastectomy for breast cancer or lymph node dissection. Surgery to remove pelvic lymph nodes may also be a cause.
Radiation therapy: Radiation treatment for cancer can cause scarring and damage lymph nodes and vessels, leading to the development of this condition.
Cancer: The presence of cancerous tumors can block or damage the lymphatic vessels, hindering the normal flow of lymphatic fluid.
Infection: Infections, especially those affecting the lymphatic system, can cause inflammation and scarring. This disrupts the normal function of lymphatic vessels.
Trauma or injury: Physical trauma, like severe burns or deep wounds, can damage lymphatic vessels and contribute to lymphedema development.
Chronic venous insufficiency: Conditions that result in poor blood circulation, such as venous insufficiency, can contribute to venous edema.
Inflammatory conditions: Diseases causing chronic inflammation, such as rheumatoid arthritis or dermatitis, can affect the lymphatic system, leading to lymphedema.
Obesity: Excess weight can put pressure on the lymphatic vessels, impairing their function and contributing to the development of lymphedema.
Lack of Activity: Active leg muscles pump up lymphatic circulation. When you are not active or immobilized, this may lead to swelling in the legs.

Primary lymphedema is not preventable, but some cases of secondary lymphedema may be preventable or manageable with early detection and appropriate interventions.

Signs and Symptoms of Lymphedema

This condition typically affects the arms or legs but can occur in other parts of the body as well. Signs and symptoms can range from mild to severe.

Swelling of part or all of the arm or leg, including fingers or toes or other parts of your body that gets worse over time.
A feeling of heaviness or tightness sometimes with a tingling sensation.
Restricted range of motion and clothing for that area may feel tight.
Recurring infections.
Hardening and thickening of the skin or fibrosis (hard, fluid-filled lumps beneath the skin).
The affected limb feels heavy.
Pitting edema, characterized by skin indentations or folds when pressed.

Lymphedema caused by cancer treatment may not occur until months or years after treatment.

What is Lymphatic System Massage?

This is more commonly known as Lymphatic Drainage Massage and is a specialized massage technique that relieves swelling when a medical condition or illness blocks your lymphatic system. Lymphedema drainage massage uses gentle manipulation to move lymphatic buildup to working lymph vessels.

How Does Lymphedema Massage Work?

Lymphedema massage focuses on reducing the swelling and lymph fluid to move through the lymphatic system. A Lymphedema Therapist trained in this massage technique uses very light pressure to move the trapped fluid in the swollen limb toward an area with working lymph vessels.

Your massage therapist may also recommend Combined Decongestive Therapy. This is a combination of manual lymph drainage massage, skin care, compression bandaging, exercises, and compression garments.

Through treatment, your body should become more functional. By reducing swelling and pain in the affected area you should see overall improvement in your well-being and improved quality of life.