Lymphedema is a chronic condition that causes swelling in the body’s tissues, which is usually most evident in the arms or legs. It develops when your lymphatic system doesn’t work properly, which is a network of channels and glands throughout the body that helps fight infection and reduce excess fluid. Lymphedema can cause pain, difficult movements, and repeated skin infections, so managing your symptoms is vital.
Can compression therapy work for lymphedema?
Compression therapy is an effective method of moving fluid around the body and preventing it from pooling in the limbs, so it should be able to work to reduce lymphedema symptoms as well. Currently, there isn’t a treatment for lymphedema, but you can manage your symptoms by using techniques to minimise fluid buildup and stimulate the flow of fluid through the lymphatic system. One of the main ways healthcare professionals recommend doing this is through wearing compression garments, so it stands to reason that compression therapy is an effective option for many currently suffering from lymphedema and similar conditions.
Compression therapy utilises both compression and massage to increase blood flow and reduce inflammation. This should then also be able to improve proprioception, which is the sense that lets you perceive the location and movement of your body parts. It can also reduce swelling so you can move around easier, which is another great way of managing lymphedema symptoms.
What makes compression therapy an effective treatment for lymphedema?
Compression garments can reduce swelling and stiffness
TH7’s compression therapy takes it one step further with compression garments and massage technology, making it much more effective at expediting the lymphatic system’s ability to eliminate accumulated waste products. This includes toxins, which can get stuck in your muscles and blood to promote inflammation, so removing them is an excellent way to manage lymphedema symptoms. The result is an unmistakable feeling of lightness and freshness, actively contributing to a better range of motion and quicker recovery. One of the main symptoms of lymphedema is limbs that feel heavy and sluggish, so a lightweight feeling can be revolutionary.
Compression can move fluid and prevent it from pooling
TH7’s compression (Normatec) pulse massage pattern and dynamic compression system helps to effectively move fluid through the limbs, preventing it from getting stuck and pooling in your muscles or joints. This is a much more proactive approach than simply wearing compression garments alone, and people with lymphedema often mention how effective this treatment is at preventing swollen legs and discomfort! Wearing a compression garment between therapy sessions can also help the benefits stick around longer, hopefully letting you enjoy better mobility, less pain, and fewer symptoms for longer.
Compression therapy boosts range of motion and flexibility
Lymphedema can often leave you feeling down and helpless, especially when it starts interfering with your movements and flexibility. Dynamic compression therapy can boost blood flow through the muscles, which leads to warming them up and letting them stretch. This, along with reducing the amount of swelling and fluid buildup, can contribute to improving your range of motion, letting you move more freely and hopefully without as much pain. This can help you get up and get moving, which also encourages fluid to move around the body without getting stuck in your limbs. Using compression garments can begin a domino effect in improving your lymphedema symptoms!
How long should you use compression therapy to treat lymphedema?
After being diagnosed with lymphedema, your healthcare professional should give you a treatment plan of how to manage your symptoms as effectively as possible. This might include multilayer compression bandaging that lasts for around three weeks, where you’ll wear the bandages for the majority of the day. After your initial treatment you should then be able to move into the maintenance phase, which might see you wear compression garments during the day and just bandages overnight.
You can also use compression therapy offered by health and wellness centres to maintain your symptoms, and we’d recommend coming up with a plan with your doctor as to how often you book these for. Some patients might only need one 30-minute session a week while others may need four or five to keep their symptoms in check. It all depends on the severity of your lymphedema, so you might need to work to find your personal sweet spot.
Learn more about our treatment options for compression therapy.
Compression therapy for lymphedema: what does the research say?
Compression garments have been thoroughly studied for use with lymphedema patients, and as a result, it’s now considered one of the best treatment options for managing symptoms. One research group followed 49 lymphedema patients treated over two years to see the long-term effects of compression therapy when combined with other treatment steps. The treatment plan included regular sessions with a sequential external pneumatic compression (SEP) device, elastic compression garments after SEP use, and daily skincare. During follow-up visits with a doctor, an independent observer measured each participant’s limb size at nine separate points.
After two years, the results showed that 26 patients had a ‘full response’ (a noticeable size reduction in more than three areas of the limb), and 10 patients had a ‘partial response’ (saw improvement in no more than three areas). The average reduction of swelling in the calf and ankle was 5.4 cm and 4 cm respectively with a full response – so very effective! Overall, the treatment plan of using SEP with compression garments led to a lasting reduction in limb size in 90% of patients.
Another study split 19 participants into two groups – treatment and control – to see whether wearing compression tights would effectively boost strength and reduce swelling. The participants in the treatment group wore compression tights for 24 hours on, 12 hours off, then 12 hours on again after exercise. The results showed that those who wore compression tights had a significant reduction in muscle power, so they’re recommended for athletes who want a faster recovery. While this isn’t directly lymphedema, it indicates that long-term use of compression garments can help reduce pain and swelling around the muscles and promote a quicker recovery of flare-ups.
Compression therapy for lymphedema: is it the right treatment for you?
When diagnosed with lymphedema, most doctors will recommend compression therapy to begin with as it’s one of the most effective non-invasive treatment options available. It comes with very few side effects and is generally considered the best way to manage your symptoms. Booking a compression therapy session with TH7 means you’ll get the benefit of both dynamic compression and pulse massage technology, both of which are known for helping to reduce the effects of lymphedema.
In a small number of cases, compression therapy isn’t enough to manage lymphedema symptoms. You might be recommended surgery then, either liposuction or lymphaticovenular anastomosis, but most doctors want to stay away from this as it’s much more invasive and there’s no guarantee that the lymphedema won’t come back.
FAQs
Are there any risks of using compression therapy?
There are very few risks associated with compression therapy, and some people who suffer from certain health conditions might be recommended to stay away from this treatment option. If you have a skin condition or one that affects the ability to let you feel, you might not be a good candidate for compression therapy. These include:
- Peripheral neuropathy
- Peripheral artery disease (PAD)
- Skin infections
- Dermatitis
If you suffer from any of these, or a similar condition, we highly recommend talking to your doctor before starting treatment. They might give you an alternative treatment plan or tell you how to safely use compression therapy so you don’t have to worry about potential risks or side effects.
Final thoughts
Compression therapy is one of the most recommended treatment options for managing symptoms of lymphedema. Compression garments work to move fluid from the limbs and get it moving again in the right direction, which can boost mobility, reduce pain, and make it easier to enjoy day-to-day tasks. TH7 offers compression therapy with massage pulse technology and dynamic compression, making it excellent for lymphedema patients thanks to its two-fold benefits. There’s been plenty of research conducted on compression therapy for lymphedema, so you can book your appointment safe in the knowledge that it should offer you some much-needed relief.
