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On Lymphedema Therapy Options To Help Relieve or Possibly Heal Swelling Symptoms
in Arm or Leg
by Ulla, designer of Healing Cancer Naturally, © 2004 - 2006
continued from Lymphedema: What Your Doctor May Not Have Told You About This Possible Serious Side Effect of Mastectomy, Lumpectomy or Radiation
Lymphedema Treatment or Management?
According to the rather pessimistic assessment of the Cleveland Clinic (and others) "Lymphedema once it occurs is difficult to treat, and treatments vary.
Conservative treatments such as bandaging, proper skin care, compression garments, and exercises are some general methods of care. There is no easy surgical fix for treatment of lymphedema. Surgical procedures have been tried
in general, few of them work well in the long term; some make the condition much worse, and more difficult to treat. In a very few situations, certain specialized operations are useful, but these are not common. Almost all
specialists who see patients with lymphedema agree that adequate conservative treatment, by well-trained therapists, should be tried before resorting to surgery.
...more comprehensive information about lymphedema prevention and treatment from [the conventionally orientated] Cleveland Clinic” can be found at
clevelandclinic.org/health/health-info/docs/1800/1896.asp?index=8353.
Lymphedema Treatment & Therapy Options
In addition to what is conventionally advised to alleviate the symptoms of lymphedema such as compression garments that cover and apply pressure to affected
limbs & compression pumps which move excess fluid toward still-functioning lymph vessels, etc., I think the following measures may help bring relief (by reducing swelling) and even possibly effect a cure:
Detoxify as much as possible, avoiding overweight and creating the greatest possible health and internal cleanliness. A good dietary and lifestyle protocol to follow for people with a cancer challenge seems to be Dr. Johanna Budwig’s Healing Diet & Protocol which additionally, due to its somewhat “blood-thinning” effect, may also assist in facilitating lymphatic flow. A testimonial reads, "My husband's hand and arm started to swell after surgery ... it was because he had his lymph glands removed and this caused a drainage problem. However he stuck to the Budwig diet and the arm is perfectly normal now. But he took care not to overstrain it and always wears his watch on the other wrist. Also we make it clear that no blood must ever be taken from that arm and no blood pressure taken on it."
Increase circulation, see "Activate your lymphatic system". Massage (manual lymph drainage) and elevation can also be helpful. herbs2000.com/disorders/lymphedema.htm writes: “Take the enzyme preparation Wobenzym as directed
on the label. In an Austrian clinical test involving women who had breast cancer surgery, a combination of Wobenzym with manual lymph drainage reduced arm size, lessened pain, and improved skin condition in less than two
months' use.” The same site recommends certain foods or food components such as bromelain found in raw pineapples, and oligomeric proanthocyanidins (OPCs) found in grape seed. Bromelain is said to reduce swelling & break up immune complexes that cause inflammation. (Some are allergic to pineapple and may develop a rash). Both pineapple bromelain and grapes also have anti-cancer effects, see Raw food cancer treatment and Best and worst foods for cancer patients. Also compare Numb arm becoming normal again after breast cancer operation thanks to raw food diet. Herbs: there are a number of herbs and herbal preparations which are said to help achieve increased lymphatic flow, reduce swelling and blood-vessel
inflammation and/or strengthen lymphatic vessel walls. For instance butcher's broom, ginger tea (made from powdered ginger and said to increase circulation & reduce inflammation), sweet clover ointment (contains
coumarin which stimulates lymph flow & speeds skin wound healing. In rare cases, sweet clover can cause liver toxicity.
[Quoted from herbs2000.com/disorders/lymphedema.htm]).
Someone recommended for lymphatic
blockages: “This may be of some real help:
cancersalves.com/botanical_approaches/sms_formulas/indigo_drops.html
Ingrid Naiman has a very good reputation and a great deal of experience as a herbalist.”
Two testimonials add, “I used Butcher's broom alternated with horse chestnut for
this problem. Worked for my son in 2002. Used it again last year with the same good results. Plantain leaf poultices may also be very helpful.“ “Horse chestnut has helped with lymphedema in the legs with some cancer
patients.“ Hydrotherapy applications (according to Sebastian Kneipp etc.) generally help improve circulation and also may have a positive effect on lymphedema
symptoms.
Homeopathics (such as the remedy called Serum Anguillae), EFT, chi kung (both of which can be self-applied), acupuncture and similar “energetic” approaches to healing aim at increasing the flow of life force energy and/or overcoming energetic blockages, a very important avenue of healing. Compare Energetics. Learn about and use healing stones and crystals (incl. lithotherapy, a branch of homeopathics): certain gemstones and minerals are known to stimulate
circulation. As with any physical or other affliction, it may be helpful to also ask for assistance, healing inspiration and guidance from the spiritual realms
via prayer, meditation etc. www.herbs2000.com/disorders/lymphedema.htm has a number of more suggestions and advice. For instance regarding the use of compression stockings in
managing leg edema, taking oral coumarin drugs combined with external/topical coumarin application, the advisability of wearing a compression garment at higher altitudes etc. Many complementary/alternative lymphedema treatment options together with more conventional ones involving surgery and microsurgery are discussed at
www.lymphedemapeople.com, such as acupuncture, aromatherapy, bandages and bandaging, benzopyrones treatment, Chi Machine,
compression pump therapy, decongestive therapy, diuretics treatment, Endermologie Therapy, kinesiology, Kinesio Taping (R), laser treatment, light beam generator therapy, Lymphedema Treatment Programs Canada, lymphobiology, magnetic therapy, reflexology, short stretch bandages, wholistic treatment.
Lymphedema Prevention
The best lymphedema prevention in my view seems to be not to resort to surgical/radiological interventions involving impairment, damage to or removal of the
vital lymph nodes but to thoroughly seek out all non-invasive natural healing approaches first. See particularly Dr. Johanna Budwig’s Healing Diet & Protocol, Cancer Diet & Nutrition, Detoxification, Emotions, Energetics, Geopathic Stress, “Greatest Hits”, Galvanotherapy, Juicers & Juicing, Light Healing, Lothar Hirneise’s Cancer Research, Healing Cancer & Your Mind, Nature Heals, Dr. Hamer’s “German New Medicine”, Spirituality & Testimonials. If after careful consideration surgical/radiation treatment is deemed necessary, I would make
sure that lymph nodes and lymphatic drainage are not impaired.
According to an alternative doctor (CAM), reducing inflammation throughout the body and keeping blood platelet count low are two of the best weapons in
preventing lymphedema.
See also Lesser-Known Serious Potential Side Effects of Conventional Cancer Therapy: Chronic Radiation Enteritis, Chronic Radiation Proctitis.
Introduction and complete list of
Healing Cancer Naturally articles: Why Choose Alternative Cancer Treatment, a powerful sequence of incisive, outspoken (and often shocking) statements & articles by cancer specialists, researchers, patients and thinkers on subjects surrounding conventional and alternative cancer treatment.
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