Exercises and keeping active

Exercise helps you feel better, maintain a healthy weight, and reduces your risk of other health problems. It’s also a good way to reduce stress and anxiety.

Exercise can improve lymphoedema because it:

Specific exercises for lymphoedema Back to top

Gentle stretching exercises can help to reduce and control lymphoedema. Your lymphoedema specialist will explain the best exercises for you, and how many times a day you should do them. 

Always wear your compression garment when you exercise. Try to include deep breathing| in any daily exercise routines to improve your circulation. Do your exercises gradually and regularly, as advised by your specialist, so that you build up a regular routine. Exercises for lymphoedema should be gentle and feel comfortable. The right amount of exercise or activity will vary from person to person.

Too much exercise too quickly may increase swelling. If you’re doing too much, your skin will become red, sticky and hot. Long periods of exercise and activity can also increase the swelling. Regularly examine your affected limb for any increase in the swelling, avoid anything that makes it worse and ask your lymphoedema specialist for advice. 

Keeping physically active Back to top

Carry on using your affected limb as you normally do.

Keeping yourself physically active by doing things around the house or in the garden is also a helpful form of exercise.

Resting

It’s also important to break up long and busy days with times of resting with your limb supported. If your arm is affected, be careful not to carry anything too heavy. If you need to go shopping, use a trolley or, if you can, do your shopping online and have it delivered to avoid carrying heavy bags.

Other types of exercise Back to top

Having lymphoedema doesn’t mean that exercise can’t be a part of your life. Exercise has many benefits and we’ve mentioned some of these already. There are some types of exercise that you’ll need to be more careful with, so always ask your lymphoedema specialist for advice and talk to your doctor before you start.

Get involved in the type of exercise you enjoy and are more likely to stick with, and build it up gradually. Swimming, walking, stretching exercises and yoga are all good options. Swimming is particularly helpful if you have problems with your joints as it works the muscles without putting strain on the joints.

It’s important to talk to your lymphoedema specialist and your doctor before starting an exercise programme. If any type of exercise makes you breathless, uncomfortable or seems to make the swelling worse, stop doing it and ask your specialist for advice.  

Exercises to reduce arm swelling Back to top

Here are some simple exercises to reduce arm swelling:

Exercises to reduce leg swelling Back to top

For leg swelling, try sitting with your leg up, making sure it’s supported behind the knee. Do the following exercises at regular intervals while you’re resting: