Lymphedema Massage

RE

I recently went to see a new Physical Therapist for my lymphedema. I really liked her and she was able to reduce the swelling in my arm by two inches.

While there she taught me how to properly massage my arm, she allowed me to video it which I have posted on my You Tube acct. If you are interested in seeing it copy and paste the link listed below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q7PPhHqOsUg

RE

Dawne.Hope

thank you for sharing!
I'm never ceased to be amazed on how many different techniques there are to treat LE. I saw an OT LE therapist last fall and she taught me how to do the massage and while there were some similarities to how your therapist massaged you ... it was different too.

So happy that you're down two inches! That's marvelous! The summer heat is killing me ... while my LE was pretty well controlled during the winter this heat makes me swell up like an old toad. Hate it!

Thanks for sharing! It gives us hope.

pinkkari09

Thank you for sharing!!
Thank you for sharing!! I've got a little swelling on my left arm, and it tends to get into my fingers as well, I need to massage more, it's nice to see other techniques. Thank you so much
Kari

KathiM

Thank you, RE!
It was very informative!!!!

And, considering what the massage is replacing, an automatic process in our body, I am again in awe of all of the things our bodies do without us realizing it!!!


Hugs, Kathi

lynn1950

Thank you, RE. xoxoxo Lynn

Thank you, RE. xoxoxo Lynn

Gabe N Abby Mom

Thanks RE! I saved the link
Thanks RE! I saved the link so I can come back to it if needed. Like others, her technique for you is a little different than what I was shown. But two inches is significant!! Thanks for sharing.

Hugs,

Linda

VickiSam

Gabe N Abby Mom said:

Thanks RE! I saved the link
Thanks RE! I saved the link so I can come back to it if needed. Like others, her technique for you is a little different than what I was shown. But two inches is significant!! Thanks for sharing.

Hugs,

Linda

2 inches! Yipee
Thanks for sharing Miss RE


Vicki Sam

VickiSam

Gabe N Abby Mom said:

Thanks RE! I saved the link
Thanks RE! I saved the link so I can come back to it if needed. Like others, her technique for you is a little different than what I was shown. But two inches is significant!! Thanks for sharing.

Hugs,

Linda

2 inches! Yipee
Thanks for sharing Miss RE


Vicki Sam

Rague

SO different than I was taught
My CERTIFIDED Lymphedemologist (with a Masters in OT) - not a PT - never said to start at the fingers! You drain the upper nodee that may be working so there is 'room' for the lower to go to up so there's room for the fluid to go and removed. My FlexiTouch does the same thing - starts on the upper lower leg, then body, upper arm, mid arm, lower arm.

RE

Rague said:

SO different than I was taught
My CERTIFIDED Lymphedemologist (with a Masters in OT) - not a PT - never said to start at the fingers! You drain the upper nodee that may be working so there is 'room' for the lower to go to up so there's room for the fluid to go and removed. My FlexiTouch does the same thing - starts on the upper lower leg, then body, upper arm, mid arm, lower arm.

Different strokes for different folks
Thank you Rague for your input. My PT is a certified lymphedema therapist as well and did a wonderful job on my arm reducing the swelling by a whopping two inches in just one week working with her. I am sure there are many methods out ther this is the one that worked for me and others may find it helpful which is why I have shared it.

RE

survivorbc09

pinkkari09 said:

Thank you for sharing!!
Thank you for sharing!! I've got a little swelling on my left arm, and it tends to get into my fingers as well, I need to massage more, it's nice to see other techniques. Thank you so much
Kari

Thanks Re!
Hugs, Jan

Thanks Re!


Hugs, Jan

missrenee

RE said:

Different strokes for different folks
Thank you Rague for your input. My PT is a certified lymphedema therapist as well and did a wonderful job on my arm reducing the swelling by a whopping two inches in just one week working with her. I am sure there are many methods out ther this is the one that worked for me and others may find it helpful which is why I have shared it.

RE

So happy you got such great results, RE
That's a significant improvement. Since my lymphedema is mainly in my breast and trunk right now, I'm relying on the Flexi-touch machine which isn't perfect, but seems to help a little. At least I feel like I'm doing something! Thanks for posting the video--are you able to do that massage on yourself? I tried it on my arm, but found it a little difficult. Anyway, hope the swelling stays minimal and that you are comfortable. Like you, just another stinkin' thing we're left with!

Hugs, Renee

Rague

missrenee said:

So happy you got such great results, RE
That's a significant improvement. Since my lymphedema is mainly in my breast and trunk right now, I'm relying on the Flexi-touch machine which isn't perfect, but seems to help a little. At least I feel like I'm doing something! Thanks for posting the video--are you able to do that massage on yourself? I tried it on my arm, but found it a little difficult. Anyway, hope the swelling stays minimal and that you are comfortable. Like you, just another stinkin' thing we're left with!

Hugs, Renee

Another site to check
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a9FPhFDoBBE explains why you start at the 'healthy' nodes and drain them so that as you work over, around and down there is room for the fluid to be drained. It is almost exactly how K. explained it to me. He gave me some lower areas to start with as I too have edema on chest and back areas so have to drain there first. Sort of like a full cup can't hold any more.

Yes I can do the massage the way K. taught me. He also gave me a print out that explains it quite nicely but I've put it somewhere that I'd be sure to remember - but as usual when I do that it's almost always code for I'll forget where it is (LOL).

Susan

cavediver

WOW...thank you!!!!
Thank you so much for sharing this in visual for everyone! Two inches...yeah for you!!! I too was shown a combination of the type massage you were given with the more common method most are using and it worked for me also. They did the same as she did on you and then stoked upward. I had gone to three specialists and it was the third that was able to get the job done :-) I am happy for you too. I use a pump machine at least 2 hours a day now and only do the massage maybe once a week in the summer heat. My arm and hand has stabilized. I do wear a compression sleeve every day and glove...or maybe once in a while wear the Kinesio Tape withought the compression garments. The Taping method I use when I have a flare up along with the pumping and it works wonders.

Are you wearing compression sleeves? Check out www.lympheDIVAS.com for the pretty sleeves. If you have to wear one and can use a 'rack size' rather than custom, these are fantastic. Light and breathable, machine washable, available in Class I or II. I have quite a few in various designs and love them. I also have a discount code I can share with anyone if they want for free shipping........just put connielore2011 on the discount code area of order or if you call just give code verbally and get free shipping.

Again, your posting the video was so kind and thoughtful of you. I hope others can be helped as you and I have been. It does suck to be left with this 'gift'....but it is what it is and we have to get it under control and manage it. Hugs

Heatherbelle

You are so awesome and
You are so awesome and thoughtful, RE, to videotape this and post it for others to see. I don't have lymphedema, but just seeing that you have done this for others to see & to help them out- well it speaks volumes about your kindness and your heart
As we've all learned in this journey, no two people, treatments, or therapies are alike. So thank you for sharing your video & experience - obviously it worked for you and goes to show that there's no "right" or "wrong" way -just finding what works for you.
You rock.
*hugs*
heather

RE

cavediver said:

WOW...thank you!!!!
Thank you so much for sharing this in visual for everyone! Two inches...yeah for you!!! I too was shown a combination of the type massage you were given with the more common method most are using and it worked for me also. They did the same as she did on you and then stoked upward. I had gone to three specialists and it was the third that was able to get the job done :-) I am happy for you too. I use a pump machine at least 2 hours a day now and only do the massage maybe once a week in the summer heat. My arm and hand has stabilized. I do wear a compression sleeve every day and glove...or maybe once in a while wear the Kinesio Tape withought the compression garments. The Taping method I use when I have a flare up along with the pumping and it works wonders.

Are you wearing compression sleeves? Check out www.lympheDIVAS.com for the pretty sleeves. If you have to wear one and can use a 'rack size' rather than custom, these are fantastic. Light and breathable, machine washable, available in Class I or II. I have quite a few in various designs and love them. I also have a discount code I can share with anyone if they want for free shipping........just put connielore2011 on the discount code area of order or if you call just give code verbally and get free shipping.

Again, your posting the video was so kind and thoughtful of you. I hope others can be helped as you and I have been. It does suck to be left with this 'gift'....but it is what it is and we have to get it under control and manage it. Hugs

:-)
Thanks for the website I will check it out for sure. I was so thrilled to get great results it was quite exciting for me. I do wear a sleeve and a glove which help quite a bit. I can do the massage by myself but it is much easier if my husband helps me so he has been watching the video as well to get a grasp on how he should be doing the massage. Super glad you are getting good results now and doing better!

Hugs,

RE

RE

Heatherbelle said:

You are so awesome and
You are so awesome and thoughtful, RE, to videotape this and post it for others to see. I don't have lymphedema, but just seeing that you have done this for others to see & to help them out- well it speaks volumes about your kindness and your heart
As we've all learned in this journey, no two people, treatments, or therapies are alike. So thank you for sharing your video & experience - obviously it worked for you and goes to show that there's no "right" or "wrong" way -just finding what works for you.
You rock.
*hugs*
heather

:-)
You are such a sweety thanks for your kind words. It is important to me to share whatever I can if it might help someone else as many other's have done for many of us in the past. It is what makes this site so special, we care for each other and we openly share what has worked or not worked for us and in doing so we help each other.

Hugs,

RE

jnl

cavediver said:

WOW...thank you!!!!
Thank you so much for sharing this in visual for everyone! Two inches...yeah for you!!! I too was shown a combination of the type massage you were given with the more common method most are using and it worked for me also. They did the same as she did on you and then stoked upward. I had gone to three specialists and it was the third that was able to get the job done :-) I am happy for you too. I use a pump machine at least 2 hours a day now and only do the massage maybe once a week in the summer heat. My arm and hand has stabilized. I do wear a compression sleeve every day and glove...or maybe once in a while wear the Kinesio Tape withought the compression garments. The Taping method I use when I have a flare up along with the pumping and it works wonders.

Are you wearing compression sleeves? Check out www.lympheDIVAS.com for the pretty sleeves. If you have to wear one and can use a 'rack size' rather than custom, these are fantastic. Light and breathable, machine washable, available in Class I or II. I have quite a few in various designs and love them. I also have a discount code I can share with anyone if they want for free shipping........just put connielore2011 on the discount code area of order or if you call just give code verbally and get free shipping.

Again, your posting the video was so kind and thoughtful of you. I hope others can be helped as you and I have been. It does suck to be left with this 'gift'....but it is what it is and we have to get it under control and manage it. Hugs

Thanks Re!

Thanks Re!

survivorbc09

RE said:

:-)
You are such a sweety thanks for your kind words. It is important to me to share whatever I can if it might help someone else as many other's have done for many of us in the past. It is what makes this site so special, we care for each other and we openly share what has worked or not worked for us and in doing so we help each other.

Hugs,

RE

I bumped this up for Eva. I
I bumped this up for Eva. I hope it helps.

Jan

jnl

Dawne.Hope said:

thank you for sharing!
I'm never ceased to be amazed on how many different techniques there are to treat LE. I saw an OT LE therapist last fall and she taught me how to do the massage and while there were some similarities to how your therapist massaged you ... it was different too.

So happy that you're down two inches! That's marvelous! The summer heat is killing me ... while my LE was pretty well controlled during the winter this heat makes me swell up like an old toad. Hate it!

Thanks for sharing! It gives us hope.

I am bumping this up for
I am bumping this up for Marlene.

Leeza