Lymphedema Natural Treatment Options

On Lymphedema Therapy Options To Help Relieve or Possibly Heal Swelling Symptoms in Arm or Leg by Ulla, designer of Healing Cancer Naturally, © 2004 - 2006continued 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."
You may also wish to use frankincense, myrrh and ginger essential oils to promote lymphatic movement. 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. Visualize a healthy arm and/or the lymph nodes regrowing. Information on the power of the mind 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. Last but not least: red light treatment
A site vistor affected by lymphedema following a double mastectomy sent in the following success report:
"I read some obscure research on the web that said that near infrared light (not far infrared light, which produces heat) can help with lymphedema.
There have been some clinical trials that indicate that it helps with itching, swelling, and infections.  The frequency used is 670 nanometers.
I went to Amazon.com and ordered the Pretika Lightsonic hand held infrared light and started using it on my lymphedema of the arm, following breast cancer.
Lo and behold, the pain went away (temporarily) but the most amazing thing is that the fibrotic masses were greatly shrunken the next day.
The procedure is to shine the light for 1 to 2 minutes on each part of the affected limb. The next day, the fibrotic masses are much better. Pain goes away immediately.
Please let everyone know about this. It has helped me so much.  Also, please make sure to emphasize that only near infrared light should be used, as blue light generates heat and will harm people with lymphedema.  If they stick to the light I bought, they will be fine.  It costs $40. I bought two of them, so I cut my time in half to cover my arm.  I do that for an hour 3 days per week, and let it rest for a day in between light sessions.
My lymphedema is not progressing at all, thanks to daily manual lymph drainage and the Pretika Lightsonic light at amazon.com.
Everyone needs to know about it.

Note by Healing Cancer Naturally (January 2011): The Pretika Lightsonic light has been unavailable at Amazon for some time. I have now written to the Pretika company and they replied that they are "currently updating the LightSonic and will not be shipping until June 2011".
Searching for an alternative/substitute comparable in price and specification I have found several light devices at Amazon that emit in the near-infrared range but most are much higher priced.
One however, does come very close to the Pretika: the Red LED Light Therapy 38 LED Bulb which also emits at 660nm and is currently reduced to US$43.99 (like the Pretika, it is mostly advertised as a beauty treatment due to the effect of near-infrared light on skin collagen etc., but don't allow this to confuse you; also similarly to the Pretika, it may not ship worldwide).
 
PS. I use emu oil as a carrier oil, and myrrh, frankincense, and ginger essential oils to promote lymph movement. So far, everything is working, but the light produces the most immediate results. Every day I use the light, the lumps disappear. They come back, but in a slightly different location, which tells me my body is establishing new lymph channels. By the way, the light also stimulates circulation." (The following is excerpted from
www.quantumeducation.com/coldlaser.html:)
Red Light and Lymphedema
Several years ago, a report on the use of red light therapy in the treatment of post-mastectomy secondary lymphedema was published in the journal Lymphology, and the results were promising. Women treated with red light therapy once or twice a week for 10 weeks showed measurably less arm swelling, edema volume, and tissue pressure, and marked improvement in subjective complaints, including "aches/pains, tightness, heaviness, cramps, pins/needles, and mobility of the arm," with even greater improvement in the hand and forearm.
The women in the study also showed gradual softening of the skin and tissues, as well as improved skin integrity. Over a three-year period, some of the improvement in their symptoms gradually decreased, but their arm swelling, pressure, and hardness all continued to show improvement.
In a more recent, double-blind, placebo-controlled Australian study published in Cancer, 61 women with post-mastectomy lymphedema received 16 red light treatments twice a week for six weeks, then once a week for four weeks, for approximately 10 minutes each session. At the end of the 10 weeks, 31 percent of the women enjoyed a measurable decrease in swelling, volume of edema, and hardening of the upper arm. Plus, they enjoyed these benefits for an amazing six months after the red light treatments were discontinued.
Red light has also been shown to help activate the local immune system by stimulating the specific types of white blood cells that kill, consume, and/or carry away pathogens. This creates a more sanitary cellular environment, thereby reducing the risk of skin infections-a significant prroblem for women with lymphedema.
Finally, red light is reported to enhance the activity of phagocytes, cells that are thought to help reduce tissue swelling by breaking down protein-based debris in the damaged area, including excess scar tissue. The overall effect in the treatment of secondary lymphedema appears to be the creation of a healthier tissue environment, with faster regeneration of damaged vessels and enhanced circulation. Lymphedema Healing: New E-book An immediately downloadable self-help guide written by a former long-time lymphedema sufferer: Lymphedema Healing: "Discover How to Heal Your Lymphatic System And Reduce Swelling caused by Lymphedema" (special offer $27, 30 day money back guarantee, purchase entitles to a lifetime of updates along with new research and a free newsletter).  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.