Lymphedema Tips
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Whether you're moving or bedbound, it's more than just compression and elevation.
If you’re still up and moving
Compression socks
Elevation
Movement
Avoid cuts/scrapes/constant friction
These 3 things are always first and foremost when lymphedema is diagnosed. They are non-negotiable as the first signs of disordered lymph movement become noticeable.
Immune breathing: In through your nose, fill up your entire ribcage, hold for as long as you can (10+ seconds would be great), and slowly let out through your nose. The focus here is on filling up the lungs and flaring your ribcage outwards. 10 breaths a few times a day, at least.
Selenium: Some literature suggests that there’s a link between selenium deficiency and lymphedema. Not as a cause, but as a correlation that should be noted. This isn’t a magic bullet supplement, but rather a ‘make sure you have enough of this’. If you’re taking a multivitamin, it should be in there. This can be overdosed, so supplementation with selenium as a single entity should only be done if you know you’re deficient.
Hydration
Dusting/Air purifier
Plants (well-dusted)
Decluttering
Nostril breathing/mouth taping
Lymph massage/brush unaffected area
Keep feet warm
Sunlight. Keep windows open
Sweat, dry off, shower, bundle up, sweat again.
Keep your neck warm/covered. Ideally, always, but especially in cold/damp/drafty weather
Assert boundaries with others. You have the power to change, use it: TAKE UP SPACE. Push your shoulders back. Move your neck over your spine so it’s in alignment.
E-stim + Acupuncture + Moxa. If you have more Q’s about this, DM me!
You can’t eat a diet full of non-food (processed carbs) and heal chronic conditions. There’s a reason every IG/blog post is about diet. It’s simply that important. It’s not about eating “clean” all the time, just more often. It then becomes cravable. Add ginger, garlic, black pepper, fresh herbs, and lemons to anything and everything. Not the pre-packaged minced garlic or the fake lemon juice, but a freshly chopped clove and a fresh squeeze.
No direct contact with AC, especially on top of your head/neck.
Massage your chest outward to your armpit as often as you’d like. Make tv time work for you.
Breathe deep into your chest and expand it as far as possible. Breathe into the muscles of your neck. You can flex your neck to either side as you breathe in to get a deeper stretch of those muscles, especially the SCM.
Bedbound
Whatever you can do from the above plus…
Protect your skin from infection. Get washed regularly.
Brush your teeth and tongue scrape
Manage your food and water intake: the strength to move fluids (wanted or unwanted) comes from managing blood pressure. Having adequate hydration and protein intake is crucial for keeping our vessels pumping well.
Lift your arms above your head and move from side to side. Twist your torso if you can.
Move your neck around as it’s flexed forward. Do the ABCs with your neck.
Massage around your ears and down your neck to your clavicle. Little circles with your palms in a question mark pattern around the ears and down the neck.
Percussion: tap, with loose fist, up and down arms and legs.
Lift knees, twist: get them moving in whichever way possible.