How to Reduce Swelling in Your Arm

Struggling with a swollen arm can feel like an unending battle, but understanding how to reduce swelling in your arm can make a world of difference. Whether it’s due to an injury, medical condition, or daily strain, dealing with edema in your arms requires a thoughtful approach. In this guide, we’ll explore the various causes of arm swelling and introduce effective ways to manage chronic swelling. From practical steps like hydration and proper skin care to specialized treatments such as pneumatic compression devices, we’ll cover a range of strategies designed to ease discomfort and enhance your well-being. Let’s embark on this journey to find relief and regain comfort in your everyday life.

What Is Arm Edema?
What Causes Arm Swelling?
How to Reduce Swelling in Your Arm
1. Compression
2. Elevation
3. Massage
4. Pneumatic Compression Devices
5. Reduce Salt Intake
6. Gentle Exercise
7. Hydrate
8. Skin Hygiene
Wrapping Up: How to Reduce Arm Swelling

What Is Arm Edema?

Arm edema refers to swelling caused by an abnormal buildup of fluid in the tissues of the arm. This condition can arise from injury, infection, or various health issues. When fluid accumulates, it leads to noticeable swelling, discomfort, and sometimes pain.

A common sign of arm swelling is pitting edema, where pressing on the swollen area leaves a dent that takes time to refill. If left unchecked, untreated edema can worsen and lead to further complications.

Healthcare professionals often assess the severity of arm swelling by measuring edema, tracking changes over time to guide treatment. Early intervention and proper management are essential to alleviate symptoms and prevent further complications.

If you suspect swelling in your arms or see you have a swollen forearm, consult a healthcare professional to ensure accurate diagnosis and appropriate care. Addressing the underlying cause is crucial for effective treatment and recovery.

What Causes Arm Swelling?

Arm swelling can arise from a range of factors, from minor injuries to more serious medical conditions. Identifying the underlying cause is essential for effective treatment and management. Understanding these common causes helps tailor the best approach to alleviate your swelling and address the root of the problem.

• Injury: Sprains, strains, or fractures in your arm cause swelling as the body responds with inflammation to heal damaged tissue. Even small injuries, such as a bruise from bumping into furniture, for example, can cause temporary arm swelling.
• Allergic reaction: When an allergic reaction occurs, the immune system releases histamines, increasing fluid in tissues and causing swelling. Allergic reactions can range anywhere from a bug bite to a food allergy or reaction to a topical cream.
• Heart, liver, or kidney condition: Conditions related to your heart, liver, or kidney can disrupt fluid balance, as these organs help circulate various types of fluid throughout the body, leading to fluid buildup in extremities like the arms.¹
• Lymphedema: Damage to the lymphatic system can prevent proper drainage, causing lymphedema, or fluid accumulation in the arm.
• Blood clot: Blood clots, also known as deep vein thrombosis, can obstruct blood flow, leading to swelling, pain, and discoloration in the affected area.
• Pregnancy: When pregnant, the body increases fluid retention to help soften the body as the baby expands², which can lead to swelling in areas like the arms, legs, ankles, and feet.
• Medications: Certain medications, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), corticosteroids, and blood pressure medications, can cause fluid retention that leads to swelling in the arms.
• Sedentary lifestyle: Lack of movement can impede circulation, causing fluid to pool, especially in the extremities like the arms and legs.
• High salt consumption: Excessive salt intake can lead to water retention and an increased risk of swelling.
• Infection: Certain infections, such as cellulitis, cause swelling due to inflammation and fluid buildup.

How to Reduce Swelling in Your Arm

Managing arm swelling requires a versatile approach to effectively reduce fluid accumulation and promote recovery. Whether you’re dealing with a swollen forearm or general arm swelling, various strategies can help alleviate discomfort and improve circulation. From practical steps like elevation and hydration to specialized treatments such as pneumatic compression devices and targeted exercises, there are multiple ways to help reduce arm swelling. Let’s explore each of these methods in further detail.

1. Compression

Compression garments and bandages apply consistent pressure to the affected area, which aids the lymphatic system in reabsorbing excess fluid. This pressure helps move the fluid from swollen areas back into circulation. Multiple benefits of compression therapy include improving lymphatic draining and supporting the body’s natural healing process to prevent fluid buildup.

Furthermore, compression helps reduce pain and discomfort and increases your mobility. It is an effective treatment for conditions like lymphedema, where fluid accumulation is common. Regular use of compression garments can significantly improve your quality of life by maintaining proper fluid balance in the tissues.

2. Elevation

Elevating your swollen arm takes advantage of gravity to assist in draining excess fluid. When you lift your arm above the level of your heart, gravity helps to move the fluid away from the swollen area and toward your heart. This elevation encourages better circulation and reduces pressure on the veins, allowing the body to reabsorb and process the fluid more efficiently.

By positioning your arm in this elevated manner, you effectively aid the natural drainage process and can help reduce swelling and discomfort. Keeping your arm elevated for periods throughout the day enhances these benefits and promotes quicker recovery.

3. Massage

Manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) massages stimulate your lymphatic system by using gentle, rhythmic strokes to encourage fluid movement. When a therapist performs MLD, they apply light pressure to specific areas, which helps activate the lymph nodes and vessels. This action prompts the lymphatic system to efficiently drain excess fluid and waste products from the swollen area.

If you’ve had surgery or an injury, MLD can reduce swelling by promoting better fluid circulation and enhancing the body’s natural detoxification processes. Additionally, MLD can also be soothing and relaxing on your muscles, helping to promote your overall health.³ Therapists can also teach you proper MLD techniques that you can perform yourself in the comfort of your home, making this an accessible treatment approach to reduce swelling in your arms.

4. Pneumatic Compression Devices

Pneumatic compression devices, such as the Flexitouch Plus, Nimbl, and Entre Plus systems, use a series of air chambers that inflate and deflate in a controlled sequence, applying gentle, rhythmic pressure to the affected limb, which stimulates lymphatic vessels and promotes fluid movement. This pressure helps move excess fluid from swollen areas toward lymph nodes, similar to how manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) strokes encourage fluid flow. By alternating pressure intervals, pneumatic compression, such as the Flexitouch, can effectively mimic the natural pumping action of MLD, improving circulation and aiding in the reduction of swelling.⁴

5. Reduce Salt Intake

Salt plays a crucial role in fluid balance within the body. When you consume high levels of salt, your body retains more water to maintain a proper sodium concentration in your bloodstream. This extra fluid can accumulate in your tissues, leading to arm swelling. Essentially, the more salt you ingest, the more fluid your body holds onto, which can exacerbate swelling.

Adopting a low-salt diet can effectively counteract this issue. By reducing your salt intake, you decrease the amount of sodium your body needs to balance, prompting it to release excess fluid. This type of diet to reduce swelling helps minimize fluid retention and can lead to noticeable improvements in your arm edema.

6. Gentle Exercise

Gentle exercise, such as walking, jogging, yoga, or swimming, plays an important role in improving circulation and encouraging fluid flow out of your swollen arm. When you engage in aerobic activities, your muscles contract and relax rhythmically, which helps to push fluid through the lymphatic system and veins. This action promotes better circulation and facilitates the removal of excess fluid from your affected area.

Therefore, if you’re managing a swollen forearm, incorporate some simple lymphedema exercises into your routine. Regular, low-impact aerobic activities can provide relief for your arm swelling and support healing by encouraging healthy fluid dynamics in your body.

7. Hydrate

Drinking enough water helps your body maintain healthy fluid levels and supports proper kidney function. When you stay well-hydrated, your kidneys efficiently filter waste and excess fluids from your bloodstream. This prevents your body from retaining extra fluid, which can lead to swelling. Hydration also ensures that your blood volume remains stable, helping to regulate fluid balance in your tissues.⁵

When you consistently drink water throughout the day, you help your kidneys perform optimally, reducing the risk of fluid buildup and swelling. This simple habit plays a vital role in keeping your body’s fluid dynamics in check.

8. Skin Hygiene

Maintaining good skin hygiene is essential for preventing infections that can exacerbate swelling. For example, wearing sunscreen protects your skin from harmful UV rays, which can cause damage and increase the risk of infections due to sunburn or blisters. Similarly, promptly cleaning any cuts or wounds prevents bacteria from entering and causing complications that could lead to swelling, such as cellulitis.

It can also be as simple as keeping your skin clean with regular washing to remove any dirt and bacteria, further reducing the risk of infection. If you’ve just finished a workout, be sure to wash off sweat and impurities to help maintain skin health and reduce the chance of infections that could worsen any existing swelling.

Wrapping Up: How to Reduce Arm Swelling

Tackling your arm swelling involves a blend of practical strategies like elevation, hydration, and reduced salt intake, combined with specialized treatments. Embracing these methods can significantly alleviate discomfort and improve fluid flow.

For those seeking a convenient at-home solution, Tactile Medical’s Flexitouch Plus, Nimbl, and Entre Plus systems stand out as powerful treatment solutions recommended by your doctor. These devices offer dynamic pneumatic compression, mirroring the benefits of manual techniques and enhancing fluid drainage with ease.

Talk to your doctor about taking proactive steps toward managing your arm swelling by incorporating one of these systems and different strategies into your daily routine, and start enjoying a more comfortable, rejuvenated life.

References:

1. deBlecourt, Morgan. When to See a Doctor for Swelling in the Arms or Legs. Duke Health. https://www.dukehealth.org/blog/when-see-doctor-swelling-arms-or-legs
2. American Pregnancy Association. Swelling During Pregnancy https://americanpregnancy.org/healthy-pregnancy/pregnancy-health-wellness/swelling-during-pregnancy/
3. Kasseroller RG, Brenner E. Effectiveness of manual lymphatic drainage in intensive phase I therapy of breast cancer-related lymphedema-a retrospective analysis. Support Care Cancer. 2023 Dec 5;32(1):5. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10697865/
4. Iowa Department of Human Services. Pneumatic Compression Devices. https://hhs.iowa.gov/media/320/download?inline=
5. National Kidney Foundation. Healthy Hydration and Your Kidneys. https://www.kidney.org/atoz/content/healthy-hydration-and-your-kidneys