Lymphedema Explained: Causes & Relief
The Lymphatic System
It is the body's natural way of transporting waste products made by the body throughout the day. This waste is called lymph fluid. The fluid is carried away and eventually reaches the kidneys, where it is filtered from the body. For various medical reasons, sometimes the body struggles to carry this fluid away as quickly as it's being produced, causing a backup. This is when lymphedema occurs.
What Causes Lymphedema?
Lymphedema causes are varied and depend on many different factors. For those who have undergone treatments for cancer, such as removal of lymph nodes and damage to lymph nodes by radiation therapy, the number of channels that can move lymph fluid is decreased; this may cause a backup of fluid, leading to swelling. In the case of venous insufficiency, long-standing problems with veins returning blood to the heart, especially from the legs, result in swelling of blood and fluids in the area. The swelling causes pressure that eventually backs into and disrupts the lymph fluid transport system.
What's Involved in Treating Lymphedema?
The gold standard for treating lymphedema is summed up in a philosophy known as
Complete Decongestive Therapy (CDT). The components of CDT include manual techniques to assist the body in moving lymph fluid in healthy pathways from areas of congestion, e.g., swelling. These techniques are also taught to the patient and used daily. Manual techniques are followed by compression to the area using special bandages designed to encourage continued fluid movement by adding graded pressure from the bottom of an affected limb (foot or hand) to the top (shoulder or hip). This bandaging technique can also be taught to the patient. Skin care education is also given to maximize the skin's health and decrease the chances of infection. Finally, the patient participates in an exercise program designed to use the muscles in the swollen area so that the natural pumping action of the muscles can assist in fluid movement. These CDT activities are the basis for treatment by all certified lymphedema therapists, having been designed and refined based on clinically evaluated study outcomes.
That's Where We Come In: Lymphatic Healing Experts
Luna Lymphatic Care was born out of the growing need for a program that could address the needs of those with multiple issues from cancer and its treatments, including lymphedema, in a caring, one-to-one atmosphere that allows for physical healing with an emphasis on emotional support. This care is provided by practitioners who have many years of collective experience in the field. It soon became apparent that those suffering from any form of lymphedema would also benefit from the caring environment offered to cancer patients.