April 2018

Exercise Benefits for Lymphedema

Have you had radiation or lymph nodes removed and are now afraid to exercise because of potential extremity swelling, aka lymphedema?

We know from research that exercise makes the muscles contract and helps to push lymph through the lymph vessels. In fact, not exercising may “place the arms of breast cancer survivors concerned with lymphedema at greater risk than a supervised program of slowly progressive exercise training.”

The results of a recently completed study supports the safety of upper-body exercise among breast cancer survivors with and at risk for lymphedema. Many of our members exercise with light weight or no weights at all and still get tremendous benefit. Anyone can do this!

Click here to read the full article on the National Center for Biotechnology Information website.

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