NIA...and other exercise

I tried NIA twice. First time was emotionally upsetting to me, as I realized how out of shape I had become from dealing with reconstruction pain. I had a little truncal swelling, but I chalked it up to lack of exercise. The second time I went in with a more positive attitude, willing to try and learn something new and do what I was able. The arm movement triggered my truncal LE and it took a few days to get it back down. I've done a lot of dancing on my own in my living room, as I have always found that enjoyable. It always includes a lot of arm movement, but I never experience swelling. I decided that the NIA for some reason just wasn't right for me. I think the reason that my home dancing works is that it lets me work naturally within my own limitations and I can set the pace, choose the music, etc. It also feels more relaxing, less stressful. Since my deconstruction and implant removal, I wonder if the NIA would still trigger my truncal LE, but I'll save that for a later day.

Garnett, just as a matter of reference, a few years ago the idea of giving your lymph system a boost became a pop-health phenomenon. It had nothing to do with lymphedema. Spas started offering "lymph massage" which was by no means the same thing as MLD. It was a part of the "clear the toxins from your body" movement, and it took off in that way that pop-health ideas often do. So an exercise program that claims to have "benefits for the lymph system" is not addressed to people with lymphedema, but to anyone who's into that popular conception about clearing toxins.

Which of course the lymph system does. And muscle movement is a huge part of how it pumps lymph fluid. But then, any muscle movement will do that, so the specific claims of an exercise system like this is mostly funky fun. It's got nothing to do with lymphedema, MLD, or even with the kinds of exercises (like the Norton or Lebed routines) that actually help direct fluid movement.

Still, exercising alone can be a drag, and a lot of us count on classes to keep us motivated. The whole issue is to choose a class that will do that without messing up the LE. Or to choose one that MOSTLY doesn't mess up the LE and then modify the parts that do. 

(For me, in a class setting, it's hard to be the only one who is leaving out the parts that bug my LE, but maybe that's just me.)

Be well,
Binney

What does NIA stand for?

Thanks Kira, she sounds like a kook, if I may be so bold.

I literally had to stop and step to the back of the room the first time I tried it and had my "mini-breakdown". I was embarrassed, but at least it was within a cancer-centered program, so the other participants didn't think I was goofy. The instructor did talk to me and said it was normal for emotions and thoughts about your body to come up when one did NIA. After the second session, I listened to my body and it said "don't do it". 

Hello Ladies! During my UMX they removed 23 nodes 7 months ago. My upper arm has been numb since then. I also have a TE. My arm is not swelling, but sometimes I feel the tightness and heaviness. I need to exercise and my PT recommended doing some aquarobics. My problem is that she keeps telling me that I should not do too many repetitions with my left arm and I have to wear my sleeve all the time. Okay, I can't wear the sleeve in the pool and aquarobics require a lot of arm movement. I am really confused... Have any of you has done aquarobics? Any advice?

Thank you so much Kira! This info was really helpful. I still have some concerns about frequency and intensity, but I think I need to learn to listen to my body. I am also planning to wear a compress for a couple hours afterwards. Thanks!