Managing Lymphedema Through CDT Therapy

If you are suffering from Lymphedema, you are not alone.  This condition affects 1 in 1000 Americans, and cancer patients are at a high risk of developing this condition. It is important to know that the symptoms of lymphedema can be greatly reduced through targeted lymphedema therapy. 

What Is Lymphedema?

Lymph nodes regulate the lymphatic fluid, which fights against infection and balances the fluid in the body. When the nodes are damaged, lymphatic fluid will then build up in areas such as the legs and trunk, creating swelling. This condition is called “lymphedema”. 

Lymphedema comes in two forms: primary and secondary. Primary lymphedema is caused by genetic abnormalities that appear at birth. Secondary lymphedema is a result of the lymph nodes being damaged, commonly through cancer surgery, radiation therapy, or an infection. 

Stages of Lymphedema

Secondary lymphedema comes in four stages: At-risk, mild, moderate, and severe. 

Those at-risk have the condition but have not shown signs of swelling. 

The mild stage may show some pitting edema, which is when a finger can be pressed into the skin and the skin will retain the deepened imprint after the pressure is removed. At this stage, the swelling can at times be relieved with elevation.

Moderate lymphedema shows increased swelling that requires more involved treatment to alleviate.

The severe stage involves hardened tissues (fibrosis), increased skin flaps and fat deposits, and changes in pigmentation.

Identifying lymphedema risk before symptoms start to show is an excellent way to prevent later stages. Before starting cancer treatments, consulting with a lymphedema therapist can help you know if you are at risk and what to expect. After cancer treatments, following up with a lymphedema therapist will help you learn how to reduce your risk of development, signs and symptoms to look for and what you can do to mitigate the effects should you develop the onset of this condition.

Common Lymphedema Symptoms

Symptoms of are as follows: 

• Swelling
• Feeling of tightness in the affected area
• Aching or heaviness in the arm or leg
• Rings or shoes become tight
• Clothing seems tight in the affected limb/area
• Redness in the limb/affected area
• Feeling of weakness in the arm or leg
• Restricted range of motion
• Recurring infections
• Hardening and thickening of the skin (fibrosis)

If you begin to experience any of these symptoms, please contact a lymphedema therapist. 

In particular for cancer patients, this can take time to appear and may not be visible many months after the cancer treatments are complete. Early detection and implemented therapy can minimize lymphatic fluid building up and affecting your health. 

How Complete Decongestive Therapy (CDT) Helps Lymphedema

Once advanced, this condition does not yet have a cure; however, noninvasive therapy has shown to be most effective in combating the disease. 

Complete Decongestive Therapy (CDT) is the leading method for decreasing the symptoms of lymphedema. When the lymph nodes are damaged, the lymphatic fluid becomes more protein-rich, making it harder for it to flow through the tissues.  CDT involves techniques that will help the lymphatic fluid continue through the system. 

CDT involves two phases: decongestion and maintenance. During the decongestion phase, your therapist will focus on manual lymph drainage, which is an advanced massage technique that targets tight spots and drains the fluid from those areas. 

Once decongestion is achieved, your therapist will then focus you on maintenance. Maintenance involves techniques including compression bandaging, targeted exercises and education, and custom garment fitting. 

Meet with a Lymphedema Therapist

While it can seem that the initial symptoms of lymphedema are personally manageable, we encourage all who experience this condition to seek out a licensed therapist to work with you to reduce symptoms as it can cause great distress and limit mobility, especially in the more advanced stages. 

If you are going through cancer treatments or have completed your cancer treatments, please meet with a certified lymphedema therapist. Their expertise can help you navigate this condition and help relieve your symptoms. 

If you would like to meet with a lymphedema therapist at Oncology Rehab and Wellness, you can contact us here for a free consultation. Adding a therapist to your care team early is vital to achieving the best outcome. Learn more about our lymphedema services here.

Know that you are not alone in your journey. Your therapist will educate you on everything you should know and encourage you along the way.