Pool Exercises/Swimming?

Hi Angie

This is great that you are asking about this, as aquatic exercise is so perfect for breast cancer survivors and those with lymphedema.

I am a certified lymphedema Therapist and I will be developing an aquatic therapy program for my ladies with lymphedema at our local aquatic center.

The hydrostatic pressure of the water, the gentle resistance, as well as the natural bouyancy of the water is a perfect exercise medium.

My first question to you is: do you have any arm swelling or any swelling near your armpit or in your breast?

 If so, the activities you need to do prior to your actual swimming would matter.

Angie, I didn't notice that I was in the lymphedema forum (oops!)

Dorit Tidhar (an Israeli therapist) did a research study of the aquatic therapy program she developed. She found that a significant reduction in arm swelling was the result. Her actual study can be found on this link: it gets a bit technical. http://www.linfodrenaggio-linfotaping.com/storage/pdf/Aqua%20Lymphatic%20Therapy%20art.1.pdf .

This is what I plan to integrate into my aquatic therapy program. You will need a "noodle" ( those long floaty styrofoam beach/pool things).

Begin by opening your lymph nodes ; "petting the cat" just above your collar bones, and then gentle circles in the armpits, opening the inguinal nodes (the groin) as well.

Then just walk in the water, doing your diaphragmatic (yoga) breathing.

You would then get a noodle (lace it behind your back so the ends stick out in front of your armpits) and do trunk twists , or knees up to chest  (to open the central lymphatic duct first). Then you can dangle the elbows in the water, last of all the hands.

The deeper part of the limb gets the most hydrostatic pressure: think of the water being your bandage or your compression garment. Then you can try a dogpaddle and procede to just swim.

I hope this didn't get too technical. And I hope this helps.

But the main thing is get all of the lymphatics: deep ones and the nodes open, first, so your swollen limb can get the wonderful benefit of the water.

I live in the desert and with our hot summers, we need our pools. My ladies who play in the water and swim get the best control of their lymphedema. 

Be sure to use a waterproof sunscreen. And you don't want to swim during the hot part of the day. Cooler than hot tub water, too, because the heat can affect the swelling.  If it's a public pool, try to do your swim session at the beginning of the day: before the kids have been in pool (if you know what I mean...) And have fun!

So glad to find this discussion.  I had been swimming in an indoor therapy pool (its too chilly for outdoors here).  I have to give it up for a while as I just had my exchange surgery last week and I sooo miss my swims.  I have actually had little trouble at all with lymphedema though... until yesterday, one arm swelled up some and I am guessing maybe because I was wearing an elastic bracelet?? So I am working on getting things back down.  So interesting about opening up the lymphatic ducts first. 

Thanks, Suzybelle.  I did learn my lesson yesterday.  I love bracelets and almost always wear those loose types, but I guess that I wasn't thinking yesterday when I not only through on that elastic bracelet, but also a pinky ring that I had not worn in ages.  I have had so little LE that I tend to forget that it is always a possiblity.  Really want to get back into the pool!

I almost forgot- Suzybelle did your LE flare up because you got really sunburned. Or was it just from regular sun in the outdoors? Are we not allowed to get tan in the summer? I know something as small as an insect bite can make it flare up. And my LE lady said I had to wear something when flying.

I got finally back to my aquatic classes after 6 weeks of massage therapy (with not much success.)

I am still wrapping my arm until my sleeve comes in. I have a lot of swelling in my hand and lower arm. After wrapping yesterday after class the swelling came down but this morning was bad again. I can't seem to keep the finger and hand bandaging on-if I try to do any work it just comes off even when the therapist does the wrapping. It is so frustrating!!! Any suggestions?

I went for a good half hour swim today - so far so good on the arm swelling. It seems to be fine. Just an update for you all. Make sure your suit isn't constricting at the node area though.

Hi everyone I had to go on a little overnight with my DH and had a lovely little swim at the hotel. My arm feels great and it is not swollen at all tonight. I was gentle again and varied strokes, only did a little crawl. This seems to be helping me. I also wore an unconstricting suit and it made a big difference. Thanks Binney thats a good site !

I'm here!  I just got home from the health club where I did some swimming.  I just had my exchange surgery a few weeks ago so have to take it easy, but I have been swimming several times this past week.  Gentle strokes.  I do alot of just running my arms back and forth across the water.  I took a water Tai Chi class a couple months ago and have just been doing some of those moves, light easy breast strokes and back strokes.  I have developed a water routine that takes me about 30-45 minutes.

thanks for bumping the thread, Valgal.

Kira.... excellent!  Just read through it very quickly and will go back to read in detail before visiting the pool again this evening.  I would just like to add... I have noticed a great deal of increased energy since getting back in the pool. A great plus!

Any news from anyone? Yesterday my arm was really heavy. Today I swam and it feels much better. (I didn't swim yesterday).

You all have inspired me to think about taking up lap swimming again.  I haven't done laps for probably 20 years, but I used to do quite a bit of that before then.  I do a lot of other exercise, but I think the swimming will be a good complement to the rest of my workout routine.  I'll let you all know how it goes. 

It is interesting how well swimming helps.

I am still being very gentle when I swim.  Not doing any one movement too much.

Valgal... my LE has never really been painful.  Just flew 3 hours today to get down to FL for a wedding this weekend.  Wore my sleeve and tried to do some of my arm exercises while crammed in my window seat.  I checked out the hotel pool this evening and I will definitely be there tomorrow morning.  My swimming amounts to more of water exercises and some water Tai Chi that I learned in a class that I took at the health club.  Then just try to get in a few modified laps.. still a bit sore from exchange surgery a month ago.

My LE PT gave me a series of arm LE exercise instructions on paper that I just went through.  She told me that any type of "gripping" motions (tennis, golf, etc) can aggravate LE so probably the chopping would also.  I won't be giving up tennis or golf so will have to be more vigilant when doing those.