Whenever I see an article on the Lymph System, I am compelled to read it. Perhaps it is a conditioned reflex and it always takes me back to the days when I was the historian for the North American Vodder Association of Lymphatic Therapy (NAVALT). It was 1992 and information on lymphedema was nearly non-existant. If any of our members found any information on this condition, it was sent to me for our archives. Copies were made and distributed throughout our membership with the hope that we, as lymphedema therapists, could help our patients, their caregivers, doctors and insurance providers better understand the condition and substantiate the need for treatment.
I was excited to see the article, “Boosting the Lymph System” in the current issue of the Well Being Journal. It is a good article, particularly the section titled, “Importance of the Lymph System.” However . . . I have one major concern which I would like to share with you. The focus of the article is on the importance of exercise, specifically a therapeutic rebounder. There is no question movement of any kind is essential to moving lymph fluid and exercise is an integral part of lymphatic decongestive therapy. When I was training with the Casley-Smiths, Judith said, “You have to think of the lymph system as thousands of tiny pumps. When you are sleeping, nothing happens until you roll over!” Spending two three-week sessions at Optimum Health Institute was my alternative to chemotherapy and there were rebounders all over their campus. For a normal body, whose limbs are not over-burdened by lymphedema, a rebounder makes a lot of sense; however, if you look at the diagrams of the valves in the deep lymphatic collectors, you will better understand my concern about adding any additional pressure on these valves, particularly on lower extremity patients. If you have upper extremity lymphedema, just hold you arms up over your head so the G force is working with the valves not against them. Quite frankly, I would rather see lower extremity patients doing the Pilates mat work. They will be on their back with their legs in the air with gravity pulling fluid through the valves, not against them.
Many of you have commented on the necessity of exercise for successful lymphedema management, and I know, it can be challenging, as well as boring. Let me make two suggestions: If you are using a treadmill, tread lightly, but do it to music. My choice is Manhatten Transfer, which can be a lot of fun as there are so many different upbeat rhythms. I would also recommend any of you who don’t know about the Lebed Method Healthy Steps program, check out their website, even order their exercise CD. They too, use Manhatten Transfer music and it certainly isn’t boring. You can even incorporate some of their arm movements into your treadmill routine . . . . just one arm at a time, however. I tried both arms and it didn’t work out well at all. My treadmill is in my (unheated) garage and I flew off the back end and ended up on top of the garbage can! Oh, the things we do in our efforts to stay healthy!