Power Q-1000 Plus - arm kit

DETAILS

Treatment of lymphedema of the arm with lymphatic massage machine

Vymphedema often appears on one arm. Most often it is the result of treatment for breast cancer. It often appears immediately after surgery and radiotherapy, but sometimes it can take 2-3 or even 10 years before the swelling appears.

Treatment of lymphoedema of the arm is most effectively done with a lymphatic massage machine. The device inflates the air spaces in a long glove-like treatment cuff that can be slipped over the arm at a set pressure.

This pressure moves the oedema fluid from the bottom up. With regular repeated treatment, the oedema is reduced slightly day by day and a "slimmer" state is achieved in a few weeks. With further treatments this favourable condition can be maintained.

Arm lymphoedema requires constant, ongoing treatment. In the absence of treatment, the swelling will return. Therefore, for the arm lymphoedema sufferer, the lymphatic massage machine needs constant use.

Power Q-1000 Plus lymphatic massage machine

For a detailed description of the machine click here.

The Power Q-1000 Plus is one of the simplest lymphatic massage machines. It is recommended for the treatment of mild to moderate lymphedema. For more severe lymphedema, if you can afford it, choose a more powerful device such as the Power Q-2200 or Power Q-1000 Premium.

The Power Q-1000 Plus is very simple to operate, making it particularly easy to use for those who cannot cope with complicated equipment.

In addition to the power button, there are two rotary knobs to adjust. First, set the pressure knob to the desired pressure.

In a lymphatic system, the maximum treatment pressure should be 50-60 mm Hg. Pressures higher than this can cause the lymphedema to harden.

The second step is to turn the timer knob and set the treatment time. 20-30 minutes treatment time is usually enough. As the time elapses, the knob "turns back" and once the set time has elapsed, treatment stops. 

Cuff size chart

To select the size you need, measure the circumference of your arm at the wrist, forearm and upper arm (on the affected arm and when it is most swollen) 

The measurement will help you decide which size is right for you.

M-L arm cuff optional sizes  -  Green line and fold number: length size in cm  -  Red line and thick number: circumference size in cm  

Treatment information 

Treatments should be carried out according to the instructions of your doctor or therapist. 

General guidelines for treatment: 

• The aim of the treatment is to improve blood and lymph circulation, which does not require high pressure, and in fact is not good for high pressure.
• Start with a lower pressure of 40-50 mm Hg for the first treatment, with a treatment time of 20 minutes.
• Observe the effect of the treatment and if necessary raise the pressure (but do not set it higher than 60 mm Hg).
• You can also increase the treatment time, but treat more often for 20-30 minutes rather than infrequently and for longer. The maximum total treatment time should be 120 minutes per day.
• Be patient! You can only measure the effect of a change after 3-4 treatments, so there is no point in 'rushing', making changes every treatment.

Dangers of incorrect treatment

To help lymph and venous circulation, a pressure of 40-60 mm Hg is sufficient. International medical studies unanimously recommend this pressure range.

Treatment with a pressure higher than this will cause micro-injuries, which may cause the oedematous part to "harden" over time. Too 'forceful, impatient' treatment can make you worse - so avoid using high pressure!

After heart disease, heart failure, cardiomyopathy, cardiac infarction, even more caution is needed. Using more cuffs can strain your circulation and lead to heart problems.

Do not treat tumour tissue directly as you may help it to spread. But if you have a thyroid tumour, for example, you can safely treat your legs.

Risks and contraindications of mechanical lymphatic drainage

In cases of severe heart disease (e.g. cardiomyopathy, heart failure), hypertension not responding to medication, lymphatic massage should only be used if there is concomitant lymphedema. However, treatment of cardiac patients should be performed with caution and at low pressure!

Heart patients should never increase the pressure above 50-60 mm Hg, because high pressure can "squeeze" blood from the veins, which can cause strain on the heart! If during treatment you experience throbbing in your temples, rapid heartbeat, increased headache, it means that the treatment pressure is too high!

It is also important to use only one cuff at a time for heart disease, i.e. do not treat two legs at the same time. Forget about using three cuffs at the same time!

For lymphoedema after total removal of the uterus and pelvic-abdominal lymph nodes due to cancer (e.g. Wertheim operation), mechanical lymphatic massage should be used with caution and under the supervision of a specialist!

For leg swelling caused by abdominal cancer, use only on the advice of an oncologist.

Specifications

• Adjustable cuff pressure: range 20-300 mm Hg
• Adjustable treatment time: 0-30 minutes
• Cuff type: 4 air compartments
• Inflating pattern: arm-arm-arm-arm-arm-arm-arm-arm sequence to inflate and deflate the air compartments
• Equipment weight: 2 Kg