How to Manage Lymphedema After Cancer
If you’ve been diagnosed with lymphedema after cancer treatment, one of the first steps to take is to educate yourself and learn how to manage symptoms. Lymphedema is chronic and causes pain and discomfort, which can impact your quality of life. Fortunately, there are several at-home management tools that don’t involve surgery or medications.
At Tactile Medical, we have several lymphedema treatment and management solutions that can help alleviate the symptoms associated with lymphedema right at home. For patients experiencing lymphedema after cancer, the Flexitouch Plus system is designed to stimulate your lymphatic system to move excess fluids throughout your limbs to reduce swelling. This device provides a gentle and safe treatment that can be prescribed by your doctor for at-home management. With lower body, upper body, and head and neck lymphedema treatment, you can find a device to relieve pain, discomfort, and swelling in your affected area.
In addition to lymphedema pumps and compression garments, there are other ways you can manage your lymphedema at home. When consulting with a lymphedema specialist, they may recommend a technique referred to as manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) to redirect fluid from swollen areas to healthier areas to drain normally. Complete Decongestive Therapy also includes education on the importance of skin scare and exercise to manage symptoms.
If you’ve been diagnosed with lymphedema after cancer, consult with your doctor and a lymphedema specialist. They can provide management and treatment solutions, as well as prescribe at-home lymphedema therapy, such as lymphedema pumps and compression garments.