Bikram yoga and lymphadema

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NoWhyToIt
NoWhyToIt Member Posts: 87
edited August 2016 in Lymphedema

Hi ladies-

I wanted to share that I have gotten my lymphadema under control with regular electronic pumping and Bikram yoga. It seems counterintuitive because it's yoga in heat but all the sweating seems to release fluid buildup and the yoga itself keeps circulation good. I just wanted to share it in case anyone will find the benefit I did from it.

xxoo


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  • hugz4u
    hugz4u Member Posts: 2,781
    edited November 2015

    It does sound contrary but if you find it works it means that your body is breaking all the rules and that you are fortunate getting away with it. Hot yoga looks so inviting to me and i would love to try hot yoga but refrain. Heat can cause swelling and so hot yoga is not recommended.

    Temp extremes are generally not good for lymphedema. I just talked to someone that didnt have LE and was on a ski vacation. She stepped out onto her freezing cold deck which was a sudden temp change from her warm condo to have a cup of tea on the patio to enjoy the lovely mountain view. She said this set off lymphedema. Perhaps her hands on the hot tea mug and the cold air encasing her was the culprit. Lymphedema therapists will advise you not to sauna,hot tub,or do extreme temperatures. It brings fluid to the area and creates a bacteria factory ripe for a problem.

    That said i do hot tub for a few minutes at a time usually only up to my hips. Never spending more than a few seconds waist up submerged in hot water. I spend most ofmy hot tub time sitting on the edge dangling feet in only. This works for me and i have experimented carefully and slowly.

    I dont understand how lymphatic fluid can be moved out that way. I have never heard if you can sweat it out. Your pump certainly can move fluid.I wish the experts would come on an answer.thanks for your experience. We all learn from eachother. thanks for posting you have me curious.

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  • NoWhyToIt
    NoWhyToIt Member Posts: 87
    edited November 2015

    I can't wholly explain why it worked. I started out doing the yoga with the sleeve and gauntlet and would swell and then over time it got better and better and now, no sleeve at all and much less swelling generally. It might be that the movement helps to move fluid. I also do manual lymph drainage before and after. It isn't something that would help immediately. It happened over time.

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  • hugz4u
    hugz4u Member Posts: 2,781
    edited November 2015

    Well the Mld would definately move any accumulated LE fluid. Perhaps that's the key but I am thinking the pump may be the answer to keeping the swell at bay. Yes movement definately improves fluid drain. Also deep belly breathing (yoga)stimulates a large area of centrally located nodes and gets things draining.

    I can't help but think how most of us swell more in the heat on a summer day. Garments worn or not. Because hot yoga works for you but is not recommended please do keep an eye on your whole affected quadrant (back, breast,arm ,hand)for any changes so you can jump on it if need be. I often look at myself carefully in the mirror.

    I guess this shows you that the LE beast doesn't fit an "all in one profile".Thanks for posting your experience. :)

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  • Frill
    Frill Member Posts: 311
    edited December 2015

    I am so glad to see this post. I am having lymph nodes removed and just started doing some poking around on the 'net about lymphedema. I saw the limited hot tub thing, then this morning while I was walking the dog I almost said out loud - NO HOT YOGA!!!!!

    That was the one thing I wanted to get back to, I can't tell you how good it is for my body to be on a mat in a super hot room.

    However, I see from the ladies above how you might be the exception, so I guess I won't be jumping back the day after surgery. I do see how the movements would help move things, so maybe even starting out doing the series without heat and then working back into a class. I'm just glad to see it's possible.

    I'm just so stubborn, it's hard to have someone say I can't do something I love, really love. Thanks for sharing your experience. :)

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  • geewhiz
    geewhiz Member Posts: 1,439
    edited December 2015

    Just wanted to say "hello"...Bikram Yoga has been a lifesaver for me. I had all level 1 and level 2 nodes removed over 6 years ago and had major axillary cording for a few months after my mx, but the hot yoga really seemed to help me a lot. I don;t know why either...but it works for me!!

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  • RuthElizabeth
    RuthElizabeth Member Posts: 103
    edited December 2015

    I have lymphedema, I'm wondering what type of compression pump you may be using. Looking at a tactile unit right now? Any suggestions. Thanks, Ruth

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  • glennie19
    glennie19 Member Posts: 6,398
    edited December 2015

    Frill: everyone is individual. What bothers one,,, may not bother another. Just EASE back into things,,, start with regular yoga first,, not too much time on poses that have your weight on hands,, like downward dog,,, built up time. I would suggest that, before diving back in,,, and do regular yoga first before hot yoga. Just a suggestion!!

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  • Hopeful82014
    Hopeful82014 Member Posts: 3,480
    edited December 2015

    I've been wondering about Bikram yoga, too. Knock on wood, I don't have LE and only use gauntlet/sleeve when flying long distances. However, I did have 5 nodes removed and a lot of radiation, so am cautious.

    I've found myself wondering if hot yoga would help loosen up the radiated areas that still annoy me, as well as the rest of my muscles. I do regular yoga and work out regularly but the idea of sweating it all out sounds so appealing. :)

    I'll be curious to hear what my PT says.In the meantime, the comments here have been very helpful.

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  • Frill
    Frill Member Posts: 311
    edited December 2015

    Glennie19: I completely agree with you. I just got done wth surgery this afternoon, so I'm still not eve cleared to do exercise save for walking. It will be a great lesson for me to take it slow and be grateful for what my body can do on a given day. My hospital offers yoga, so I'm going to try make sessions on days I'm there before I think about going to any other class, just so I'll have an instructor that's familiar with my types of issues - in theory at least, haven't been yet.

    I have chronic pain from a car accident about 10 years or so ago when hot yoga was just becoming popular in my area. A studio opened practically across the street from my house. My dr was amazed at how much it helped. She couldn't believe how flexible I was. It worked way better than the botox she was putting in my back. Those should have gone in my face. LOL!!!!

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  • glennie19
    glennie19 Member Posts: 6,398
    edited December 2015

    Hey, Frill, how was surgery?? Hope you are doing ok, and not in much pain. Take it easy!!

    glad to hear that hot yoga was a help for you after car accident injury. Trying the yoga class at the hospital seems like a great place to start back.

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  • Frill
    Frill Member Posts: 311
    edited December 2015

    OMG the pain is terrible and I'm usually a trooper. After the MX/sentinel node removal, I was sneaking out to get my nails done that Monday. This Monday I'll be lucky to get out of bed by myself. All my yoga plans, lol, seem to be put o the back burner. I still have a ton of presents to wrap. Fingers crossed that I can manage to finish that up somehow. My goal was to finish presents and get my wreath done before surgery, still have 15-20 to wrap, and then wreath, plus the garland. Hopefully I'll feel tons better on Monday!!!

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  • glennie19
    glennie19 Member Posts: 6,398
    edited December 2015

    (((Frill))) Wishing you a speedy recovery.

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  • AnnaSm
    AnnaSm Member Posts: 5
    edited August 2016

    wow this is so interesting. Bikram Yoga reducing your lymphedema!
    I wish someone could do a study on this type of yoga and lymphedema. We already know that yoga can be really helpful for us with lymphedema :)

    You know, i just read a post on facebook about lymphedema and heat. Saying that heat could actually be a good type of treatment for lymphedema. It was an excerpt for an article called lymphedema measures, seperating fact from fiction!

    https://www.facebook.com/Living-with-Lymphedema-Cancer-262941107425487/

    Btw has anyone tried microwave or heat therapy for lymphedema?

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