Lymphedema can make life very difficult. Because of the various physical impairments, permanent therapy is a must. This can very quickly become time-consuming and expensive. Can a compression arm sleeve help with lymphedema?
What is lymphedema?
Colloquially, lymphedema is usually simply referred to as "thick legs". Yet everyone knows the feeling of heaviness in the legs after a long day. In order to feel better again, the legs are usually elevated so that blood and accumulated fluid can drain from the legs. And the next day everything is fine again.
With lymphedema, there is a permanent feeling of heavy legs. This heaviness simply does not go away in this case. By the way, lymphedema can occur not only on the legs, but on the entire body. That is, anywhere where lymph flows, and that is almost throughout the body.
Similar to our blood circulation, the lymphatic system has many small pathways and ramifications. The lymphatic system or lymphatic circulation is responsible for the transport of tissue fluid, also called lymph, and transports more of it daily than our blood circulation transports blood.
The lymphatic system is responsible for detoxification in our body and also drains excess tissue fluid. If the drainage of lymph is disturbed, lymphedema develops. The skin and subcutaneous tissue swell and these swellings do not disappear.
How lymphedema develops
In people who suffer from lymphedema, the outflow of lymph is disturbed. The lymph backs up in the tissue and swelling is the result.
In most cases, this disorder develops as a result of a disease. This form of lymphedema is called secondary lymphedema. In addition, there is also primary lymphedema, which, however, occurs much less frequently. It is genetically determined, and the cause is a malformed lymphatic system. Symptoms often do not appear until puberty or later.
Secondary lymphatic system can occur due to disease, injury, or after therapy. The continuous flow of lymph is disturbed here, and the congestion causes lymph fluid to collect in the tissues.
Cancer patients are most often affected by secondary lymphedema. Since not only the tissue affected by tumor cells but also lymph nodes are removed during cancer surgery, the lymphatic system is severely disrupted. For example, lymphedema in the arms is particularly common in patients with breast cancer. Chemotherapy can also cause lymphedema.
Lymphatic drainage as support for lymphedema
Unfortunately, lymphedema cannot be cured. But the effects can be relieved with the help of therapy. Therapy helps to relieve congestion and get the flow of lymph moving again.
Successful therapy for lymphedema consists of three components:
- Lymphatic drainage
- Compression treatment
- Exercise therapy
In this article, we are dedicated to the first pillar of therapy. Lymphatic drainage is a special form of massage that stimulates the flow of lymph. A distinction can be made between manual and equipment lymphatic drainage.
Manual lymphatic drainage or apparatus lymphatic drainage?
Manual lymphatic drainage is usually performed by a physiotherapist. The lymphatic system is positively stimulated with circular movements. The various hand movements are repeated frequently. This ensures a stronger activation of the lymph vessels and the drainage of tissue fluid is favored.
A supporting method is the apparative lymphatic drainage. Special compression devices that work with compressed air are used to stimulate the lymphatic system.
In most cases, apparative lymphatic drainage is used in addition to manual lymphatic drainage. The advantage is clearly that the compression device can be used at any time and at home. Daily lymphatic drainage, which is often even recommended, is no longer a problem.
The exclusive use of an apparative lymphatic drainage is not excluded, but should be accompanied by a doctor or therapist. In this way, it is possible to check whether the application is correct and has a real benefit.
There are different devices for apparative lymphatic drainage. In addition to suits for the entire body, there are cuffs for the legs or also for the arms.
How does a compression arm cuff work?
For people who suffer from lymphedema in the arm, the use of a compression arm cuff is an option.
These arm cuffs consist of several compressed air chambers. Most of these cuffs have different programs and intensity levels. However, in principle, they work the same way:
Starting from the hand, air is pumped into the cuff, exerting pressure on the skin. In wave-like movements, the compressed air works its way up to the shoulder. This process is then repeated until the program is completed.
In this way, similar to manual lymphatic drainage, the lymphatic system is stimulated and the removal of lymph is promoted.
As already mentioned, the great advantage is the possibility of using the arm cuff every day. Since lymphedema cannot be cured, but its severity can only be reduced, permanent therapy is extremely important for success.
Even if the initial costs may seem quite expensive, the purchase is worthwhile after a short period of regular use.
Since some physiotherapists now also use compression devices as a supplement to their therapy, the devices can also be tried out there in advance.
Before using the device at home, a doctor or therapist should be consulted to discuss the form of treatment with you. This is because lymphatic drainage is not suitable for some cases and clinical pictures, regardless of whether it is carried out manually or by means of equipment.
Conclusion
A compression arm sleeve may not replace therapy with a physiotherapist, but it can positively support it. The great advantage is the possibility to use the arm cuff from the comfort of your home and at any time.
Author: Physiotherapist Marvin Seidel
Source and image source: Clubsante, # 89549644 puhhha / stock.adobe.com
Published on: 23 August 2022