The Arm Exercises

Hi Claireone, do not worry about the questions, I feel the same too. My swelling is around my wrist and the area where I would wear a watch. In fact that is how it came to light when I was out walking and developed a burn on my skin under the watch before I was aware my hand was swollen. Mine is not too severe at the moment and the exercises have helped. My book has 10 exercises starting and ending with breathing, then there are shoulder shrugs / circles, abduction, flexion, breaststroke / boxing type exercises, elbow bends and wrist bends / circles. These were given to me by the lymphoedema nurse on my first appointment after I was referred to them from the breast care nurse at the hospital. In addition, I still do the other exercises that I was given by the physiotherapist for the cording to keep the shoulder moving. Sometimes it feels a bit much, but I feel it is necessary as the cording has really improved. I have not been told anything about lymphatic drainage at the moment, will be seen again in 3 weeks for a review to see how the glove and exercises are working. The glove is very impractical and I tend to wear a light disposable glove over it when I am cooking or doing any thing to keep my hand clean. I was told to massage my arm upwards like you towards the armpit which I do daily, not sure if it works but I do it anyway. Before I started the exercises I had pain and stiffness when making a fist, now not so much. Sorry to have gone on, hopefully that helps!!

Hi - what did the Physio suggest ? Any improvement for you ?

Hi

I saw the physio she was very helpful, she said I had cording which is usual after lymph nodes removal

she gave me three more exercise to add to the ones I had already have, they are very simple but seem to be helping.

1) facing a wall stretch the arm slowly up the wall as far as possible

2) then same again but sideways this time

3) link hands and stretch upwards as far as possible

repeat each one five times roughly four times each day. 

she also suggest I massage the armpit, arm and shoulder.

hope that helps.

Thank you so much. That's really helpful. I've been worried, as have radiotherapy planning appt next week. You're supposed to be able to get arm above your head. I can with one, but not the other. Was checked for cording,not cording but inflamed tissue. Sometimes my arm is relatively OK and sometimes painful first thing in the morning. Really odd. Will try No. 3 as doing first 2. There are also some Canadian ones I found on web.

Hello, 

I also read that an exaggerated breast stroke swimming action was good for moving fluid around. So I often do that as it also helps my shoulder movements. 

Thanks for posting. Take care Alison.