Milking Your Muscles Exercising your muscles is vital if you want to prevent lymphedema . It is just as vital if you want to control it. The compression of your muscles helps to milk the fluid in the lymphatics back toward your heart.
Physical therapists can recommend the most appropriate exercises for you. Many people are often encouraged to walk or ride a bicycle to help improve the lymphatic flow. Breast cancer patients are usually instructed to go through a series of hand and arm exercises after surgery. A similar program is used by patients with melanomas involving the limbs. Therapists can instruct you in the use of lymphedema milking pumps that can reduce your swelling, which can be an effective approach for chronic lymphedema.
