If you’re still up and moving

Compression socks

Elevation

Movement

Avoid cuts/scrapes/constant friction

The above 3 things are always first and foremost when lymphedema is first diagnosed. They should be non-negotiables as the first signs become noticeable.

Immune breathing: In through your mouth or nose, fill up your entire ribcage, hold for as long as you can (10+ seconds would be great), and slowly let out through your nose.

Selenium: Some literature suggests that there’s a link between selenium deficiency and lymphedema. Not as a cause, but as a correlation that should be noted. This is less of a magic bullet supplement and more of a ‘make sure you have enough of this’ (for anyone really - lymphedema or not). If you’re taking a multivitamin it should be in there.

Hydration:

Dusting/Air purifier:

Decluttering:

Nostril breathing/mouth taping

Lymph massage/brush unaffected area

Keep feet warm

Sunlight - keep windows open

Sweat, dry off, shower, bundle up, sweat again

Keep your neck warm/covered. Ideally, always, but especially in cold/damp/drafty weather

Assert boundaries with others, you have power to change, use it

E-stim + Acupuncture + Moxa

You can’t eat a diet full of non-food (processed carbs) and heal chronic conditions. There’s a reason every IG/blog post is about diet. It’s simply that important. It’s not about eating “clean” all the time, just more often. It then becomes cravable. Add ginger, garlic, black pepper, fresh herbs, and lemons to anything and everything. Not the pre-packaged minced garlic or the fake lemon juice, but a freshly chopped clove and a fresh squeeze.

No direct contact with AC - especially on top of your head/neck

Massage your chest outward to your armpit as often as you’d like. Make tv time work for you

Breathe deep into your chest and expand it as far as possible. Breathe into the muscles of your neck. You can flex your neck to either side as you breathe in to get a deeper stretch of those muscles, especially the SCM.

Plants (well-dusted)

Bedbound

Whatever you can do from the above plus…

Protect your skin from infection. Get washed regularly

Brush your teeth and tongue scrape

Manage food and water intake - strength to move fluids (wanted or unwanted) comes from managing blood pressure. Having adequate hydration and protein intake is crucial for keeping our vessels pumping well

Lift arms above head and stretch them around

Move neck around as it’s flexed forward. Do the ABCs with your neck

Massage around your ears and down your neck to your clavicle

Percussion - tap lightly up and down arms and legs

Lift knees, twist - get them moving in whichever way possible

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