Rebounders (trampolines) - are they good for LE?

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dassi52
dassi52 Member Posts: 206
edited June 2014 in Lymphedema

Rebounders are advertised as activating the Lymph system. Are there any objective studies done on that? Does anyone have experience with them, that it helps their LE? I have LE in my right hand.I'd think that even light bouncing might aggravate the LE be cuase I can't keep the hand up that long?

If you know the answers to any or all of these questions, I'd love to hear you.  

Comments

  • proudtospin
    proudtospin Member Posts: 5,972
    edited October 2012

    no idea on that but do know that my arm starts to bother me if I am on the phone...chatting too long!  my lymphe is in my trunk  and not my arm but I blame it for the achie in arm because I want something to blame~~ I need to get me a hands free thing for 1 hour conversations.

  • dassi52
    dassi52 Member Posts: 206
    edited October 2012

    They have these earphone+microphone sets just like telemarketers have. My daughter uses one all the time, chatting with friends while doing work in the kitchen. Definitely recommend them.

  • camillegal
    camillegal Member Posts: 16,882
    edited October 2012

    I have no idea, no one has really talked about tramps--a trampolines. I sounds like it might not be a great idea because u use u'r arms for leverage and altho excercising u'r arms is good, it might not be the right type to do. Just saying LOL

    And proud--that a good idea dassi--I'm the same way--my sister, cousin---that's who I talk to forever and all of us have some of the same problems and I know my whole arm and hand of course huts like crazy when I'm done talking too. Thanks dassi---I never ever thought of that.

  • Binney4
    Binney4 Member Posts: 8,609
    edited October 2012

    Hi, Dassi and all,

    Several of the gals here use rebounders/mini-tramps as part of their LE routine. No studies that I know of, at least not for arm or chest LE. If you use one for this purpose the bounce is a very gentle one, and your feet do not leave the mat (so it's not JUMPING, just bouncing). It's not something you do for long periods--just five minutes or so at a time. Putting your arm above your head part of the time would be a good idea, as is getting the kind with a safety bar attached so you don't take a tumble.

    Some women feel bouncing gently on an exercise ball has the same effect, so if that's easier or more convenient it's another option.

    Whatever, it's no replacement for self MLD and compression, exercise and great skin care, which are the standard self-care protocols.

    Hope that helps!
    Binney

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited October 2012

    Binney, I tried searching on threads here last week when my friend offered me a free rebounder. I noticed your instructions for not letting your feet leave the mat. I understand wanting a gentle movement, as that makes perfect sense. However, would using the rebounder as a substitute for jogging outside (with my feet lightly lifting the ground) be a problem? I figure it's all about the level of exertion your body is able to tolerate without developing swelling -- whether on ground or rebounder?

  • dassi52
    dassi52 Member Posts: 206
    edited October 2012

    Thanks, Binney, for your answer. At first, when I read about the rebounders, I thought it was such a great idea. Later on, after having read up more on LE on the forum, I wasn't so sure anymore, which you confirmed. Why bother storing a big rebounder (We have little space) when all you can use it for is a few minutes a day, if exercise etc. are in any case a must. As it is I feel LE has taken over my life- I need to do finger and wrist exercises 3x a day because I lost flexibility and range after tendinitis of the wrist. Putting on and taking off bandages + exercise just for that uses up my time at least 1 hour a day. Then I should do some other exercises as well, see an Ot and a PT etc etc a few times a week, go to work and have hw at home (I'm a HS teacher) as well the rest of my life, and there's no time left in the day. I do admit that the forum can eat up chunks of time very easily! So in the meantime, no rebounder for me. (Maybe if like Tina, someone had just presented me with one, I would have tried, but I won't go out and buy one just yet.)

  • Cottontail
    Cottontail Member Posts: 374
    edited February 2013

    I was just searching around for info on rebounders/mini trampolines.



    The last time I saw my PT, she said that "jumping" for a few minutes each day was good for the lymph system. I have chronic knee pain, so jumping or running on any hard surface is out. I am looking for exercises I can do that will be less likely to contribute to LE.

    My PT said I will be fine to start hula hooping again (it's been my primary exercise for a couple years now), but of course I'm in radiation right now, so hooping around my trunk/chest/arms is out for awhile. It also takes a lot of room, so isn't very practical in the winter.

    I was considering getting a mini trampoline to have *something* to do in the winter.



    Note that I do not currently have LE. Would jumping on a mini trampoline be likely to increase my chances of developing LE, or would it be helpful for me?



    I'be lost a good amount of weight on the last two years, but my fitness level has slipped considerably this year that I've been in treatment. I desperately need some kind of light activity that I can do until I'm able to hoop again. I have zero tolerance for cold, so it has to be something I can do inside, at home.

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