Lymphoedema, Breast Cancer Rehab and Breast Cancer related arm lymphoedema management.
What is
Lymphoedema?
Physiotherapy plays a significant role in managing lymphoedema. Lymphoedema is a chronic condition characterised by the accumulation of lymphatic fluid in tissues, leading to swelling.
Causes of lymphoedema: Primary lymphoedema (congenital abnormalities in the lymphatic system present at birth) or more commonly from damage to the lymphatic system due to cancer related treatment including surgery, removal of lymph nodes, radiation therapy or infection, trauma/injury and chronic venous insufficiency.
Physiotherapy for breast cancer-related lymphoedema is crucial for managing, which often arises after breast cancer treatment due to lymph node removal or radiation therapy.
Book Online
Physiotherapy treatment and
Management of Lymphoedema
1. Complete Decongestive therapy (CDT)
- Manual lymphatic drainage (MLD)
- Compression therapy: use of bandages or compression garments to prevent fluid accumulation.
- Exercises: Tailored exercise program to promote lymphatic drainage and mobility
- Skin Care: Proper skin hygiene to prevent infections.
2. Compression therapy
- Compression bandaging: Multilayer bandages to reduce swelling.
- Compression garments: Custom fitted sleeves or stockings to maintain reduced limb size after the decongestive phase.
- Pneumatic compression devices – Intermittent pneumatic compression pumps to aid lymph fluid treatment.
3. Exercises therapy
- De-congestive exercises to promote lymph fluid movement.
- Aerobic exercises: Low impact activities like walking, swimming, or cycling to improve cardiovascular health and promote lymph drainage.
- Strength training: Low resistance exercises to enhance muscle tone and support lymphatic function.
4. Skin Care
- Hydration: Regular skin moisturizer.
- Skin hygiene: Keep skin clean and well moisturised.
- Skin protection: Avoid cuts, insect bites and burns.
- Avoid infections: Proper skin care routine, avoiding cuts and insect bites.
5. Patient education
- Self-massage techniques – how to perform simple lymphatic drainage techniques at home.
- Lifestyle modifications: Health weight management and diet, avoid tight clothing.
Book Online
Treatment
Breast Cancer Rehab
Post breast cancer shoulder care through physiotherapy is essential for addressing issues such as reduced mobility, pain and muscle weakness that arise after surgery or radiation treatment.
Goals of physiotherapy:
- Restore range of motion: Improve shoulder flexibility and movement.
- Strengthening exercises: Build muscle strength to support shoulder function by completing shoulder and scapular strengthening exercises.
- Enhance posture: Correct posture to prevent and manage shoulder issues.
- Prevent lymphoedema: Reduce the risk of developing lymphoedema in shoulder, breast, and arm.
- Scar tissue management post mastectomy and lumpectomy: Aim to reduce the restricted movement, pain, and functional limitations.
- Cording management: Aim to decrease pain and improve full range by utilising manual therapy, Laser and exercises. (Yes! we provide laser therapy with good results!)
Physiotherapy is integral in managing lymphoedema, enhancing breast cancer rehabilitation with shoulder care and prevention of breast cancer related lymphoedema. By utilising a combination of manual techniques, compression therapy, exercises and patient education, our physiotherapist can help you optimise your recovery and health goals. Regular follow-up with health care professionals ensures that treatment strategies are effective and adapted to changing needs with both short term and long-term goal setting.
At Oedema Clinics (Lexington Health), our therapists are trained and skilled to provide you with evidence-based treatment to offer the best individualised treatment with your condition to enhance your recovery and assist you in improving life.
Some of the common conditions seen at our clinic.
- Lymphoedema -secondary to cancer, injury, or surgery.
- Breast cancer related arm lymphoedema.
- Shoulder care/rehab post breast cancer treatment.
- Cording/ Axillary web syndrome.
- Scar tissue management.
Oedema Clinics take pride in offering lymphoedema treatment with the inclusion of the PhysioTouch in our technique toolbox. PhysioTouch is a device that uses negative pressure (suction), pulsation and mechanical vibration; three extremely beneficial techniques to enhance the body’s lymphatic system to remove fluid from the lymphoedematous limb, or area, and breakdown fibrosis.
Book Online
Muthukumar Srinivasan
01:36 16 Apr 26
I had a great experience with Carlo Villadiego during my marathon preparation. Carlo played a huge role in helping me successfully complete my first full marathon.What really stood out was the personalised approach — the exercises were carefully tailored to my training needs and adjusted as I progressed. Carlo regularly reviewed my progress and fine-tuned the exercises in between sessions, which made a real difference in keeping me strong, improving performance, and preventing injury.Throughout the journey, I felt genuinely cared for and well supported. The level of attention, professionalism, and encouragement was excellent.I would highly recommend Carlo to anyone looking for a knowledgeable and supportive physio. I am definitely looking forward to consulting Carlo again when I begin training for my next marathon.
Dylan Pryor
03:11 13 Apr 26
Carlo has been extremely helpful. He provides a professional and experienced service and has me performing at my best each week!
Lucky Singh
23:17 09 Apr 26
I’ve been seeing Ben Black, my physiotherapist at Lexington Health, for my right shoulder rotator cuff surgery, and I truly couldn’t be more grateful for the exceptional care and support I’ve received.Recommended by my surgeon, I genuinely couldn’t have asked fora better physiotherapist.Ben is incredibly soft-spoken, welcoming, and attentive, with a remarkable eye for detail. His empathetic approach towards pain management and recovery has made a genuine difference in my healing journey. He understands exactly how to ease muscle tightness with effective massage techniques, and his structured assessments every two weeks ensure my progress is always on track.What stands out most is how each session is thoughtfully tailored to my recovery stage. His constant encouragement keeps me motivated and confident throughout the process.I deeply appreciate his professionalism, dedication, and compassionate care. I have complete faith in his expertise and am optimistic about a full recovery soon.Highly recommended.
Jess de Ridder
06:52 25 Mar 26
Carlo is a super knowledgeable and a great physio to work with. Has helped me get back on track with my lower back/sciatica issues! Highly recommend
Nicole
10:17 17 Mar 26
Had a positive experience working with Brendan for my recent knee injury. Brendan was thorough and took the time to check in between appointments to make sure everything was on track.
Jeremy Jones
21:37 16 Mar 26
Would highly recommend Ben and his team, very caring and knowledgeable. They have helped me through various injuries of different severities and bought me back to shape
Jemma Ballinger
22:51 11 Mar 26
I had a fantastic treatment experience with physio Carlo, some of the best client-centred and evidence-based treatment I've found in the area. I have been struggling with chronic upper back and neck pain over the last 10 years and tried a lot of different treatment modalities, both from my own knowledge base as an exercise physiologist and working with different clinicians. Carlo spent the time to go through what I needed help and support with, took on board the things that hadn't worked for me in the past, completed a thorough assessment and provided clear treatment plan options and guidance in a way that worked for me. Overall, I had such a fantastic experience at Lexington Health to support my understanding of my injury and empower me to take control of my recovery. I have and will continue to recommend this clinic and physio Carlo to friends, family and colleagues in the area needing Physiotherapy treatment.
Christiana Nati
11:39 08 Mar 26
Carlo has been very helpful, understanding and patient with me, the exercises he has given me for my knees have helped a lot. He is now helping me with my back and in the last couple of weeks I have definitely felt improvement.
Vinay Valji
03:33 06 Mar 26
I would highly recommend this physio clinic. I came in with minor rib cartilage pain, and it healed very efficiently without disrupting my day-to-day activities.I was treated by Navraj, who professionally diagnosed the issue and was incredibly friendly throughout the process. He also regularly checked in on my progress and made sure the exercises he gave me were helping with my recovery. Thanks Navraj : )Overall, it was a great experience and I’m very grateful for the care and support I received.
