Two benefits lymphedema physical therapy can offer

Having trouble bending your arms or fingers due to excessive swelling? Experiencing difficulty putting socks and shoes on your swollen feet? If you answered yes to either question, you might be experiencing a condition called lymphedema. 

This condition is far more common than you might think. Studies show that secondary lymphedema affects 1 in every 1,000 Americans. Lymphedema is caused by blockages that develop in the lymphatic system. These blockages are commonly the result of factors like injuries or cancer treatments. Physical therapy can be an effective treatment option for this condition, and there are two benefits in particular that lymphedema physical therapy can offer. 

You can get these two benefits from lymphedema therapy

A typical lymphedema physical therapy approach starts with a comprehensive assessment. This gives your physical therapist an opportunity to learn as much as possible about your condition and how it’s affecting your daily life. 

Information from your assessment can then be used to construct an individualized therapy plan. This lymphedema physical therapy plan will be designed to offer benefits such as: 

• Decreased swelling — The primary symptom of lymphedema is swelling in the affected area. Carefully crafted physical therapy programs have been shown to reduce this swelling. One study reports that physical therapy helped reduce lymphedema-related swelling in the upper extremities by more than 59%. The same study reveals that lower extremity swelling was reduced by almost 68% by physical therapy. 

• Improved range of motion (ROM) — How far you can move your joints, or ROM, is also commonly reduced by lymphedema. This can make normal daily activities like walking or lifting objects much harder. Physical therapy can offer improved ROM to lymphedema patients. Researchers from one study reveal that physical therapy led to a 22-degree improvement in shoulder ROM in patients with upper extremity lymphedema. 

Ready to get the benefits of lymphedema physical therapy? Peak Performance can help

You don’t have to look far to find lymphedema physical therapy that can benefit you. Our therapy specialists at Peak Performance offer free screenings that can help you get started with lymphedema therapy. We also excel at building personalized therapy programs to treat lymphedema. 

In addition to in-clinic physical therapy sessions, our team is currently offering virtual care and at-home therapy sessions that can help you get the lymphedema therapy you need. In addition, you can start using any of our therapy services without waiting to get a referral from your doctor. 

Are you ready to start getting our help with your lymphedema treatment? Contact us today for more information or to schedule your free screening.