From this Science Daily article Lifting Weights Reduces Lymphedema Symptoms Following Breast Cancer Surgery, Research Shows:
Breast cancer survivors who lift weights are less likely than their non-weightlifting peers to experienc
e worsening symptoms of lymphedema, the arm- and hand-swelling condition that plagues many women following surgery for their disease.
e worsening symptoms of lymphedema, the arm- and hand-swelling condition that plagues many women following surgery for their disease.
And this:
The findings challenge the advice commonly given to lymphedema sufferers, who may worry that weight training or even carrying children or bags of groceries will exacerbate their symptoms
The researchers theorize that a controlled weightlifting program may have protective benefits, by boosting strength in affected limbs enough to ward off injuries from everyday activities that can aggravate lymphedema symptoms.
It is recommended that women start with a slowly progressive program, supervised by a certified fitness professional, in order to learn how to do these types of exercises properly.
The study indicates that one can control the symptoms of lymphedema. The added benefit is that one can increase one's overall health and quality of life. At Kelly’s Austin TX Personal Trainers and at New Orleans Ultimate Fitness Trainers we have had success working with recovering cancer patients. The recovery systems of these patients are fragile. They cannot stand long bouts of exercise. Our personal training sessions are short and designed to efficiently stimulate a change; we then give them plenty of time to recover.
The article mentions a slowly progressive program. The equipment we use is MedX medical rehab equipment that is more easily tolerated by the joints, and we are able to increase weights in small two pound increments. We can restrict the range of motion to a pain-free range of motion, and we use controlled movements to minimize forces that could aggravate pre-existing conditions.
This blog has also dealt with this subject in these blog posts: Exercise for Women Living with Lymphedema and Weightlifting helps breast cancer survivors
