Go for a walk: Exercise, including dance, running, and even walking, can help your system circulate the lymph in your body.
Manual lymphatic drainage is a great place to start managing the symptoms of facial lymphedema. To perform a lymphatic massage, use your fingers to gently massage your face and neck to encourage the flow of fluid and relieve swelling.
4) Walking
Get outside or around the house and start with 2-5 minutes to begin. For progression, add another 3-5 minutes each week to the total time, up to 20-30 minutes. Modification: If you do not have space to walk, or the weather isn't cooperating, try marching in place for 2 to 5 minutes.
Large muscle exercises: walking, marching at home, dancing, swimming, yoga, Tai Chi, etc. Large muscle exercises create muscle milking and pumping to promote overall body lymph fluid flow and drain.
“Lymphatic drainage is recommended weekly for standard benefits, but you can have it every day in more needed circumstances such as post-operative care for plastic surgeries or when postpartum,” Morellato shares. “For lymphoedema, treatment is recommended two-to-three times per week.”
Sleep On Your Side
A 2015 study in The Journal of Neuroscience found that waste removed from the glymphatic system was most efficient when lying in the lateral (side) position. (23) Pillow top mattresses are great for side sleepers.
What causes lymphedema to occur in the head and neck? Lymphedema is common following HNC treatments due to the large number of lymph nodes found in the head and neck. When lymph nodes are removed or blocked it causes a build up of lymph fluid. This results in swelling.
Physical activity encourages fluid to drain into the lymphatic system in the abdomen. Walking, swimming, yoga, pilates and Tai chi all might help to encourage the lymph to move. Pelvic floor exercises may also help. These target and strengthen the muscles in your pelvis.
Gently massage from the inside of your leg toward your hip and the side of your body, moving further down your leg and repeating these steps until you've massaged your way to your knee. Then, gently massage from your knee up the side of your body and toward your underarm.
Gently pinch your cheeks, lips, and jawline from the center of your face towards your temples. This will help to contour the lines of your face by activating your facial muscles and lymph nodes. Repeat 5 times. Finish by gently stroking down the neck to enhance flow.
Yes, it's possible to overdo lymphatic massage. While lymphatic drainage massage offers numerous benefits, more is not always better. Overdoing it can lead to bruising and swelling, especially if the massage is too aggressive or the pressure too high.
Despite its health benefits, facial lymphatic drainage massage is an effective cosmetic treatment. Facial lymphatic drainage can work to enhance the skin's natural radiance, reduce puffiness and enhance the natural contours of the face.
If it's working, you should start to get relief from your symptoms of lymphedema in time. Your swelling should go down. You'll feel less heavy or tight. It will be easier to move, too.
Alcohol and caffeine could also function like diuretics. They both could dilate the lymph tissue and cause more swelling, and as a result, exacerbate the lymphedema. Don't adopt a low-protein diet. Consumed protein has no connection with the protein in the lymph fluid.
As a result, some patients with lymphedema believe that reducing water intake can reduce swelling and fluid accumulation. While this is a fair assumption, it actually has the opposite effect. Drinking plenty of water can help manage lymphedema symptoms by promoting the body's filtration and elimination functions.