Lymphedema Treatment at Home

Why is home treatment important?

The answer is simple: lymph is continuously produced in your body with every heartbeat. If your lymphatic system is damaged, this fluid cannot drain properly and accumulates in the tissues, causing swelling.

This is a constant, uninterrupted process that cannot be solved long-term with a few days of intensive treatment.

Imagine it like a tap that keeps dripping — no matter how often you wipe up the spilled water once, if you don’t deal with the source regularly, it will accumulate again and again.

The situation is worse if you have problems beyond the lymphatic system. Concurrent venous insufficiency (varicose veins) can contribute to worsening lymphedema and lymphatic circulation disorders in general.

Hospital or home treatment?

Medical treatment of course plays an important role in treating lymphedema, especially in more severe cases.

Occasional intensive hospital or outpatient courses can help quickly reduce significant swelling. However, 360 days of the year your condition depends on you. You are the only one who can prevent deterioration and repeated hospital treatments.

Complementary treatments that support each other

During therapy it is important to understand that individual treatment methods do not replace each other but complement one another. The more methods you use in parallel, the more effectively you can fight swelling. Read this article of mine: Multimodality treatment – what does it mean?

For example, if you only use compression stockings, that might yield about a 5% improvement. If you add regular exercise, you may gain another 10%. Proper diet and weight loss can add another 10%. Thus, combining different treatment methods significantly increases the effectiveness of therapy.

Comprehensive decongestive therapy – what doctors recommend

Decongestive therapy is a compression-based treatment composed of several parts and methods.

Manual lymphatic drainage.

This is a special, gentle therapeutic technique performed by a trained therapist that stimulates the lymphatic system and helps remove excess fluid from the affected area.
Many people refer to it as lymphatic massage, but in medical practice the term lymphatic drainage is accepted. Lymphatic drainage is a special, very gentle technique that specifically acts on the superficial lymphatic vessels in the skin. This differs from classical massages that target deeper muscles and tissues. The term “massage” can be misleading because lymphatic drainage does not use strong pressure or intense movements.
While traditional massage usually aims to relax muscles, relieve tension or improve blood circulation, lymphatic drainage specifically focuses on stimulating lymph flow. Therefore the technique is much gentler, and the movements follow a slow, rhythmic pattern.

Compression therapy.

Use of compression bandages (wraps) or garments (elastic stockings, gloves) to reduce swelling and prevent re-accumulation of fluid.
Bandaging is especially recommended for those who move less. The wrap should be applied tighter at the hand or foot and gradually loosened as you move upward. This helps direct lymph flow in the correct direction.
Compression stockings are special garments that exert constant pressure on the limb. They can be useful both at rest and during activity, but are particularly important during exercise. Movement combined with compression stockings is much more effective than either alone. Always choose the stocking with the help of a specialist so that it has the proper size and pressure strength.

Exercises.

It is well known that the main driver of lymph circulation is the muscle pump — the contraction and relaxation of muscles. This pumps lymph and blood. Low-intensity activities (walking, swimming, cycling, yoga, calisthenics) promote lymph flow and improve mobility.

Skin and nail care.

These are preventive measures to reduce the risk of infections (for example cellulitis) in the affected area.

Education and self-care.

Because lymphedema is not curable, it is essential for patients to understand and learn that daily self-care is required to suppress symptoms. Without this, the edema will return. Education aims to teach how to manage the condition independently, for example self-massage, applying compression and monitoring for complications.

The manual lymphatic drainage forming the basis of decongestive therapy was developed in the first half of the 1900s by Dr. Emil Vodder and his wife, Estrid Vodder. The Vodder method was the first technique to become scientifically accepted for supporting lymph circulation and was incorporated into lymphedema treatment protocols.

In the 1960s in Germany, the advanced lymphatic drainage technique was combined with other treatment methods such as compression therapy, skin care and specific exercises. This created complex decongestive therapy which is still used today in hospital and outpatient lymphedema treatment.

With advancing technology, new technologies continuously appear, such as pneumatic compression devices (better known as compression therapy units), but these are integrating into medical protocols very slowly, which may be due to lack of information.

New therapeutic options

There are many physiotherapy devices proven to improve circulation that can contribute to some reduction in lymphedema.

Compression therapy unit (click here to read more)

One of the most effective edema-reducing methods. The pneumatic compression device pumps air into the chambers of the connected cuff, thereby applying pressure to the tissues. A well-configured device inflates the cuff chambers sequentially from bottom to top, aiding upward flow of lymph and blood. This method not only supports lymphatic circulation but also improves venous circulation and reduces the risk of thrombosis.

Muscle stimulation

Muscle contractions evoked by electrical impulses improve circulation similarly to walking, the most natural driver of lymph flow, and reduce edema.
Muscle stimulation devices can help reduce swelling in all severity levels of lymphedema. In mild edema, a muscle stimulator can replace the compression therapy unit. In moderate and severe conditions they reinforce each other when used together.
Globus electrotherapy devices provide a special 3S sequential stimulation program package for reducing limb edema. I wrote in detail about this and devices suitable for such treatment in this article.

Softlaser treatment

Softlaser treatment stimulates microcirculation and thus contributes to edema reduction. The higher the laser class of a device, the stronger its effect on lymph circulation. Significant lymphedema-reducing effects can be expected from class 3 and 4 laser devices. In other words, physiotherapy clinic lasers have the most significant effect.
For edema reduction I recommend a class 3 softlaser. For example, the Personal-Laser L400 or the Energy-Laser L500 Pro device.

Magnetotherapy

It stimulates microcirculation, thereby contributing to a reduction in swelling.

Bemer therapy

Bemer is a unique procedure. Bemer treatment = physical vascular therapy. It very effectively improves blood circulation, which also contributes to improved lymphatic flow. Its swelling-reducing effect is proven.

These methods can be effective on their own, but you will achieve the greatest results when you combine them with traditional treatment methods.

Lifestyle approaches to treating lymphedema

Lifestyle changes are as important as physical treatments.

Regular exercise is fundamental for lymph circulation. Muscle contractions act as a natural pump, aiding lymph flow.

For people with lymphedema, low-intensity aerobic activities are most appropriate. Walking, cycling, swimming or water aerobics are excellent choices. I also recommend yoga. Exercise should last at least 40–50 minutes to be effective.

Nutrition is also a key factor. While there is no specific diet that helps every lymph patient equally, following certain nutritional principles can significantly improve your condition. Reducing pro-inflammatory foods such as processed carbohydrates (bread, pasta, pastries, sweets, snacks, soft drinks, fruit juices), gluten and excessive animal proteins can help alleviate symptoms. This is particularly important if you have an autoimmune disease, as inflammatory processes can worsen lymphatic circulation.

Weight control is also an essential part of lymphedema management. Excess weight can worsen the condition through several mechanisms. Increased adipose tissue exerts pressure on lymphatic vessels and nodes, hindering lymph flow. Obesity is also often associated with chronic inflammatory processes that further damage the lymphatic system. Therefore, weight loss alone can lead to significant symptom improvement.

Factors that influence lymphedema

Among environmental factors, temperature plays a particularly important role. Heat can worsen lymphedema in several ways. High temperature causes vessels to dilate, increasing blood flow to the skin and limbs. This results in more fluid moving into the interstitial spaces, increasing edema. Heat also relaxes muscles, reducing the effectiveness of the muscle pump. Therefore you should avoid sunbathing, saunas and overly hot baths.

You should also pay attention to certain medication effects. Many drugs can increase edema as a side effect. These include some antihypertensives, contraceptives, steroids and other anti-inflammatories. If you notice that swelling appears or worsens after starting a medication, consult your treating physician about possible alternatives.

The key to successful treatment

The key to successful treatment is regularity and consistency. Lymph is produced continuously, so treatments must be timed according to individual refill intervals. For some people treatment every other day may be sufficient, while others may require treatment more frequently, even multiple times a day.

The important thing is not to wait until the swelling becomes painful or uncomfortable.

It is important to understand that managing lymphedema is a lifelong process. This may sound frightening at first, but if you accept it and make regular treatments part of your life, the condition will not significantly affect your daily life. If you neglect treatment, your condition may gradually worsen and eventually severely limit your quality of life.

Treating lymphedema is therefore a complex process built on several pillars, in which you play the central role. By combining different therapeutic methods and lifestyle changes you can significantly improve your condition and minimize symptoms. Remember: although the disease is not curable, with proper attention and treatment you can live a full, active life.

Misconceptions about treatment

Lymphedema and diuretics

The use of diuretics in lymphedema is generally not recommended because these drugs do not address the underlying cause and can even worsen symptoms.

Diuretics stimulate kidney function and increase urine production and excretion. The kidney removes water from the blood within the vessels. Lymph is not in the vessels but in the lymphatic vessels and largely in the tissues, so diuretics cannot access it.

Because diuretics reduce the fluid volume in the blood vessels, they can thicken lymph and cause electrolyte imbalances, which worsen edema.

“Only therapist-performed treatments are allowed; machine treatment is not good”

For reasons I do not understand, lymph therapists often forbid patients from using compression therapy units (regardless of edema stage). They tell patients that only manual drainage is suitable because it “opens the lymph gates.” What is the truth?

Manual lymphatic drainage is considered by hospital and clinic physicians to be the main method for stimulating lymph circulation and reducing swelling. Manual therapy can address deeper tissues and fibrosis, which proponents say machines cannot.

I find this approach harmful because:

• Severely affected patients are not the majority. Fortunately, lymphedema reaches the severe, fibrotic stage in only a very small percentage of patients. That means most people do not need “deep” lymph mobilization.
• Therapist-performed treatment is very expensive. Since prescribed sessions are covered only up to a limit (about 10 per year), the patient must purchase treatments for the remaining 355 days. Check a lymph therapist’s price list: one lymphatic drainage session is around 10,000 HUF, and that is only a single session. Annual needs can amount to hundreds of thousands or even millions of forints. Therefore most patients cannot afford regular therapy. For purely financial reasons many receive no treatment at all!
• Access difficulties. Few therapists are available, especially in smaller towns or rural areas. The patient simply cannot get treatment when needed; they get appointments when the therapist has capacity.
• Time constraints. Patients cannot reconcile their lifestyle with regular treatments at a distant clinic. It is unrealistic to travel to a faraway clinic several times a week. This would make working and normal family life impossible.

Pneumatic compression devices designed for home use (better known as compression therapy units), while they do not completely replace manual lymphatic drainage, can provide effective therapy for mild and moderate lymphedema (which represents most patients).

Owning your own device allows you to use it every day, which is especially important because lymphedema can only be reduced with continuous, regular treatment. A one-time purchase of a compression therapy unit can be the equivalent of 150–300 HUF (note: original text likely meant thousand HUF), and the device can serve for 8–10 years without further costs. This is much, much less than what you would spend on manual therapy (if a therapist is even available in your area).

Overall, lymphatic drainage in mild and moderate cases can be substituted by a good-quality compression therapy unit. Regular visits to a lymph therapist every few months remain important because the condition can change and therapy may need to be adjusted.

“Can a woman with lymphedema take contraceptives?”

Lymphedema means accumulation of fluid in the interstitial tissues. Most contraceptive pills contain estrogen, and one known effect of estrogen is fluid retention. The higher the estrogen content, the more likely it is to cause water retention.
In theory, estrogen-containing pills can increase water retention and interfere with lymphedema therapy success.

Note that modern contraceptives contain about 70–80% less estrogen than those from 10–15 years ago.

There is another way: try non-estrogen contraceptives! Progestin-based methods retain little or no water and carry minimal risk of worsening symptoms.

Ask your gynecologist for help choosing the appropriate medication.

A practical suggestion: not only contraceptives but other drugs can also increase water retention and edema.

If your doctor recommends a new medication, measure the circumference of your limbs (on the leg: ankle-calf-thigh) from the day before starting the drug, preferably morning and evening.
A carefully kept chart will clearly show within a few days if a medication increases edema. Stop it and try another option.

If after 3–4 weeks there is no increase in swelling, the medication is likely acceptable for you. This “test” is risk-free; there is nothing to fear.

Why must treatment be continuous?

The key to successful lymphedema management is understanding that lymph is produced with every heartbeat — nonstop as long as your heart is beating! This is completely normal.

Lymphedema is not yet curable. Swelling can be reduced to near-normal with regular treatment.

One treatment reduces swelling, which then accumulates again until the next treatment. Therefore treatments must be scheduled according to refill time. If it refills every other day, treatment every other day may be sufficient. If it refills in a few hours, treatment must be more frequent.

It is a big mistake to wait until it is tight, painful, cracked or ulcerated! The longer you leave swelling, the harder it is to remove!

Videos about lymphedema

You can find my videos about lymphedema on my YouTube channel. Watch them as well.