Treating Lymphedema While there are several options in successful treatments for lymphedema, there isnocure.Mostpeoplewhostrugglewith lymphedemaareabletofind solutions that help them manage the symptoms long-term, and in doing so are able to minimize the pain and discomfort associated with the disease. Anyone who has struggled with chronic illness before can attest to the complicationsthatcomewith long-termmedicinaluse.Eventhebestmedical solutions can weigh on the body overtime, and when chronic swelling is alreadytheconcern,theprospectofmorepotentialswellingasasideeffect to medication is frequently a point of frustration.
Physical therapy is a great source of support for battling lymphedema. Frequentlyused incompilationwithothermedicalsolutions,physicaltherapy takesadvantageofstrategicmassageandtargetedtouchtodecreaseswelling inthebody,therebyreducingtheseverityof lymphedemaand inmanycases reversing the signs and symptoms of the disease.
This is why physical therapy is such a great resource for women struggling with lymphedema. Physical therapy works around medication, focusing the treatment on muscle movements and massage that help the body heal from within. There is no need to struggle with the pain of lymphedema on your own. Contact your physical therapist to learn more about treatment options and how physical therapy can support your health goals.
The best methods of treatment for lymphedema include:
• Skin care therapy • Massage • Tissue drainage
• Active exercise • Compression therapy
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October is Physical Therapy Month
Did you know that October is National Physical Therapy month? That’s right, an entire month dedicated to educating people about the benefits of Physical Therapy—and it couldn’t come at a better time. Winter is one of the most trying times of theyear forpeoplestrugglingwithchronicpain. Add the risk of falling due to icy conditions, to the cold weather that aggravates even the mildest arthritis issue, and you’ll find a huge increase of peoplewhowouldbenefit frompainmanagement and support. Take the time this month to start figuring out the most important things you need to know about the benefits and perks of physical therapy. Here are a few bits of information to help kick off your focus this month: • Physical therapy is most beneficial when used before an issue becomes chronic. So many people wait until they’ve been dealing with pain for an elongated period before seeking support from a physical therapist. But there is no reason to wait! Physical therapy can have the biggest
impact if used shortly after your initial injury.The longeryouwait, themoredifficult itwillbe toheal. • Muscle aches and joint pain tend to grow worse over time. The longer you let your pain go untreated, the more severe the pain is likely to become and the more difficult the pain will be to treat. The best thing that you can do is seek treatment as immediately following the development of your pain as possible. Physical therapy can have a huge impact on alleviating pain frommuscle and joint aches, but the earlier you start, the better off you’ll be. • Chronic pain, especially back pain, is incredibly common in the United States—surprisingly so. More than 100 million Americans over the age of 18strugglewithbackpain.Asa result,Americans spend more than $50 billion dollars on back pain relief every single year. A lot of this goes to pain medication, which masks the pain without addressing the issue—meaning the pain always comes back.
About 30% of adults over 18 struggle with back pain, and that number is even higher for those who are over 65. Physical therapy is the best strategy to overcome back pain and is helpful at all ages. Your physical therapist will tailor therapy methods to your needs, helping you achieve the best results possible.
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