Physical Therapy & Rehab_ Women's Health and Lymphedema

OCTOBER 2017 The Therapy Bulletin The Newsletter About Your Health And Caring For Your Body How women’s chronic swelling can be treated safely and effectively Workinghard ispartofbeingawoman.Afterthe longandgruelingchallenges of the workplace, women head home to care for their families, to care for their homes, and somehow manage to do it all while looking great and keeping a smile on her face. Focus on Women’s Health: Lymphedema and Physical Therapy

Taking this intoconsideration, it isnosurprisewhenafewachesandpains start to interfere with your day to day well-being. But for some women, the aches and pains is a sign of much more than just fatigue—the pain is a result of chronic swelling in the lymphatic system. When this happens, the swellingcanputpressureonyourentirecirculatorysystem, interferingwith blood and oxygen flow, and leaving your entire body feeling the burden of this added stress. What is Lymphedema? The lymphaticsystem isdesignedtosupporttherestofthebodybymanaging excessfluidsandtoxins. Itdrainsexcesswater,proteinandwasteproducts fromyourtissues,andthenpushesfilteredfluidback intothebloodstream, supporting circulation. When chronic swelling interferes with this filtration process, excess water, proteinandwastecanbuildup inthebody.This leadstoaddeddiscomfort, often manifesting in aches and pains that will often spread throughout the entire body. There are twodifferent types of lymphedema: Primary lymphedema: This form of lymphedema develops as a result of a birthdefectthatcausesswelling inthe lymphaticsystem.Typicallyswelling will develop early on in life, and then repeatedly develop as an adult. Secondary lymphedema:This form of lymphedema is frequently the result of a previous treatment that impacted the lymph nodes, such as surgery for breast cancer or radiation therapy. This is the most common type of lymphedema. Lymphedemacaneffectbothmenandwomen,butmostfrequently impacts women—especiallywomenwhohavehad issueswiththeir lymphaticsystem or breast cancer in the past.

Services Spotlight

• Orthopedics and Sports Medicine • Work Injury Rehabilitation • Women’s Health • Vestibular/Neuro Rehabilitation • Pediatric Rehabilitation • Sports Performance • Aquatic Therapy • Occupational Therapy

www.ptandrehab.com

Made with FlippingBook flipbook maker