Swimming to reduce leg
lymphedema...
For years I've been
telling people with Leg Lymphedema that the best exercise to reduce the
swelling is swimming. Why? There are a few reasons swimming is the best
exercise.
One, because you are
horizontal when swimming rather than vertical and your leg below your torso.
This is similar to when you are lying down or elevating your leg to reduce the
swelling.
Two, when swimming
your bodily fluids are circulating. The movement of the limbs and muscles are
creating a force to move the fluids throughout your body. The movement of
kicking while swimming is helping to push the fluids out of your leg. Your
blood and lymphatic fluid are being moved more rapidly when swimming rather
than sitting or lying down.
Three, the water
itself offers a gentle compression when in a pool. It is more gentle than a
compression stocking, but it is still helpful for when you stand in the pool in
between swimming. Swimming is great, but even standing and moving your leg
through the water is helpful.
And four, swimming is
non-impact. That means, your foot is not striking the floor with each step as
it is with walking or running. Walking and running actually cause leg
lymphedema to become worse because of all of the pounding/impact and gravity.
Yes, they help circulation a little, but the impact causes the fluids to be
packed down into the leg rather than pushing the fluids out of the leg. Your
body is vertical and the fluids run down. Swimming is very gentle and effective
for those of us with leg lymphedema compared to any other aerobic exercise.
I've been dealing with
leg lymphedema since my 1991 cancer surgery. At the time, I already had a
physical therapy degree, was a fitness trainer, and a gymnastics coach. I knew
how the body functioned.
I had malignant
melanoma in my right thigh. I was told that I would be bed-ridden for the rest
of my life by many doctors after cancer surgery. The surgery was the only way
to save my life. That was if it wasn't already too late. The doctor was not
sure if the cancer had already spread to my lymph nodes and throughout my body.
If it had, it would have been too late. Going into the surgery I did not know
whether I had weeks to live or a lifetime of being in bed.
The doctors removed
the malignant tumor and the lymph nodes from my groin area during the surgery.
It was two surgeries combined that lasted many hours. Immediately after the
surgery, my leg was as wide as my waist. I had a tree trunk and a long way to
go to reduce it to normal size. My life was saved, but my leg and life were
forever changed. It took nearly one year to reduce my leg to almost normal
size. I have maintained my leg lymphedema extremely well because I am so
disciplined.
A few quick tips for
reducing the swelling... elevate, compression, circulation/light exercise, and
a very healthy diet of various fruits and vegetables - that's the secret to
reducing the swelling and keeping it down. Eat foods such as fruits and
vegetables. Stay away from processed foods, fast-foods, junk foods, alcohol,
soda, and other unhealthy foods.
I studied physical
therapy in college and have been a CSCS for many years. I know how to maintain
health and recover from illness and injury. I admit, my knowledge has made it
easier for me to maintain my leg lymphedema, but you can do it too.
What prompted me to
write this today? I go all winter long wishing I had access to a pool so I can
maintain my lymphedema better. This week the pool opened and I paid for my pool
pass. I'll be able to keep my leg looking and feeling good, hardly any swelling
on non-working days. YAY!
I swam for the first
time this summer yesterday and my leg felt and looked great afterward.
Elevating today and it feels good. I can't wait to go to my ballroom dance
social later this evening!
Anyone in NJ with leg
lymphedema that wants to talk, meet for a quick swim, or needs a little bit of
help just reach out to me. My schedule is very sporadic and constantly
changing, but we will connect if you reach out.
Article Source: Karen_Goeller
☺ Thank You For Reading This Article Lymphedema and Swimming. Hopefully Beneficial, Do Not Forget To Share
Tag :
Lymphedema,
Swimming
