“I have leg lymphedema as a result of chemotherapy. Lok-Kwan’s treatments have helped decrease the lymphedema. Never in my life I remember wearing a pair of tall boots because they never fit my leg. I bought a pair today and they fit me. Am crying out of joy. Thank you for all your help! You have no idea what this means to me!”
TCM Acupuncture, herbs, and bodywork can be very helpful for Lymphedema. It is a legitimate concern that acupuncture on the affected limbs runs the risk of infection. In fact, effective acupuncture for lymphedema can be performed away from the affected areas. And even on the affected limbs, proper technique, sanitizing and disinfecting keep it very safe.
Lymphedema is a chronic condition where protein-rich fluid accumulates in tissues, causing swelling, typically in the arms or legs. It most often occurs after cancer treatments, such as surgery or radiation, that damage the lymphatic system—the body's network for filtering waste and maintaining fluid balance. Because it is ongoing and has no cure, lifelong management is required to prevent it from worsening or causing infections like cellulitis.
The "gold standard" for treatment is Complete Decongestive Therapy (CDT), which combines skin care, manual lymph drainage (massage), and compression bandages or garments. Lifestyle choices also play a major role; patients are encouraged to maintain a healthy weight and follow a low-sodium, anti-inflammatory diet. While patients were once told to avoid using their affected limbs, research now shows that slowly progressive strength training is safe and helps improve fluid drainage.