Lymphedema Pump Therapy

Lymphedema Compression Pump Therapy is a non-invasive treatment that applies intermittent pressure to the affected limb. The pump inflates and deflates a compression garment worn on the limb, moving lymphatic fluid through the lymphatic vessels, reducing swelling and discomfort.

The treatment typically involves wearing the compression garment for a certain period of time each day, and may be used in conjunction with other lymphedema therapies such as manual lymphatic drainage and compression bandaging.

Compression pump treatment can be used to manage lymphedema in both the upper and lower extremities and is considered a safe, effective treatment option for lymphedema.

To make the most of the Compression Pump Therapy, the pressure is applied evenly and forces the fluids to move from the area where they are pooling and the body will expel the fluids promptly.

When engaged, the pump sends out a mild massage through the air pockets where it is needed most. Once the process begins, the stranded fluid will seep back into the body’s trunk area for immediate discharge.

The pump’s pressure works on a sliding scale. As the patient becomes more tolerant to low-grade pressure, the pressure can be increased as the patient responds to the treatments.

A Bio Compression Pump differs from a primary model – like a pump that was just described – they are lightweight and silent when in operation.

Lymphedema Pump Therapy affords the patient the luxury of being treated in their home or office or anywhere they happen to take the therapy.

Lymphedema Compression Pump Therapy
How it works

A pneumatic pump comes with: a sleeve or a vest, a sleeve with a vest attached, a sleeve with shoulder attachment, leg sleeve or full overlapping pans. When therapy is required to remove the blocked fluid many tiny air pockets inflate and collapse in accordance with the therapy regime that helps move unwanted fluid away from an affected area.

The treatments can be in a sitting position or a lying down position, depending on the area of the body that is receiving treatment. For the treatment to be successful, the patient needs a 30 to 60-minute session to help with toxin removal.

The best part of the therapy session is that it doesn’t need to be done at a hospital and your certified, lymphedema therapist will supervise the treatment.

Your therapist will advise you on the settings and pressure required to begin or maintain your therapy. Pressure must be used sparingly as more pressure doesn’t equate to better health outcomes, so make sure you take your therapist’s advice.

Improving circulation is what a compression therapy does best. Oxygen supply to afflicted areas is crucial to relieving pain and swelling. Improved sleep and walking pain-free are two outcomes that you can count on when taking compression therapy.

Lymphedema Compression pumps are all multi chambers. They come in 4, 8 and 16 chambers.

The lymph node becomes damaged and the ensuing damage will create problems in the arms and legs. The most common problem is swelling and pain associated with the swelling.

Cancer treatments are the biggest cause of lymph node damage and your immune system will suffer accordingly. Blockage in the body’s systems is what causes lymphedema and a lack of drainage of fluid is how the swelling occurs.

Identifying symptoms

1. Swelling in the extremities, like the arms, legs or right down to your feet and toes
2. Limbs that are sore, tight or feel too heavy to move
3. A lack of range in motion
4. Discomfort that comes from chronic pain in the affected areas
5. Infections that never clear up or return shortly after healing that is accompanied by inflammation
6. Fibrosis will occur – that is hardening and thickening of the skin around the affected area

Swelling can be slight and hardly noticeable, to a bloated condition – in the acute case of bloating, your limbs feel almost incapacitated.

If you receive radiation for cancer treatments, it can be the damage that affects the lymph nodes or the lymph vessels. Scarring is the problem and the inflammation the scarring cause relates to the pain and swelling that the afflicted feels.

• Cancer will block lymphatic vessels and cause lymphedema
• Invasion of a parasite or an infection in the lymph nodes will cause restrictions of the lymph fluid in the body
• Genetic problems such as Milroy’s Disease will cause lymphedema and it generally starts when children are very young and the deformities of lymph nodes produce the problems they feel.
• When a person experiences puberty or pregnancy, they can be susceptible to Meige’s Disease. If they suffer from it, can be an ordeal until a person hits 35 years of age.