People with lymphedema experience severe limb swelling and fluid buildup that makes it painful to move easily. Lymphedema often occurs after surgery, when surgeons cut lymph vessels or nodes to remove diseased tissue. According to VascularWeb, doctors often recommend regular exercise as a form of treatment for people with chronic lymphedema.
Remedial Exercise
Remedial exercise for lymphedema involves repetitively moving the swollen body part while wearing a compression garment. The combination of the firm pressure of the compression garment and the repetitive movement helps the fluid flow more easily in the lymphatic system and veins, which significantly reduces swelling and fluid buildup, according to the National Lymphedema Network. Lymphedema sufferers should only perform remedial exercise while wearing compressive garments, though, because performing the exercises without them actually worsens swelling in the limbs.
Weight Training
Weight training also aids people with lymphedema, according to a study reported in the August 13, 2009 issue of the "New England Journal of Medicine." Half of a group of 141 women who had lymphedema as the result of undergoing surgery for breast cancer performed twice-weekly weight-training sessions while wearing compression garments. Researchers compared their lymphedema symptoms and muscle strength to women who didn't exercise and found the weight-training women reported fewer symptoms, fewer lymphedema flare-ups and better upper- and lower-body strength. The National Lymphedema Network recommends that people with lymphedema start slowly, progress gradually and take plenty of rest breaks when performing resistance exercise.
Aerobic Exercise
Aerobic exercise improves blood and lymph circulation, strengthens the heart and helps people with lymphedema manage their weight. Before performing aerobic exercise, spend 20 to 30 minutes slowly warming up. Walking, hiking, biking, tennis, golf and dancing are appropriate activities for people with lymphedema, according to LymphNotes.com. Swimming, aquatic walking or water aerobics are particularly beneficial for people with lymphedema because the water offers buoyancy and support and eliminates the need to wear a compression garment during exercise.
Stretching
Doing regular slow stretches reduces scarring and improves the flow of lymph, the National Lymphedema Network reports, though no formal research studies exist of their benefit. Yoga benefits people with lymphedema because it helps them regain range of motion in affected areas and relieve muscle tightness, according to LymphNotes.com.
