Main Line Health and Fitness introduced a specific lymphedema protocol over 30 years ago, which focuses on stimulating a stronger, well-toned and more flexible limb without exacerbating lymphedema symptoms. For trainees who have undergone treatment for breast cancer, we have empirical evidence that medically sound exercise will stimulate a physiological response, safely.
For trainees who have undergone lymph node dissection during treatment of breast cancer, there is potential for swelling or lymphedema (fluid retention) caused by trauma to the lymphatic system. This swelling is usually confined to the limb (arm) on the side of the body in which the surgery has been performed.
Main Line Health and Fitness has demonstrated that medically sound exercise, in this instance, machine-based resistance training that works a muscle through its full range of motion with variable resistance, will stimulate a physiological response thoroughly and safely. Often, injured areas have decreased blood flow supply. Direct, isolated exercise increases blood flow to the area.
It is imperative to understand that proper exercise has the potential to stimulate a physiological response, but it is the rest following the workouts that allows the response to take place. Daily routines that exhaust the body’s limited recovery ability lead to chronic over-training, leaving the musculo-skeletal system vulnerable to injury, systemic depletion, exhaustion and sickness. Two overall body workouts per week seem to yield optimal results for most trainees with lymphedema symptoms. The body is fed as a unit, rests as a unit, and should be trained as a unit. While individual muscles may recover somewhat quickly from the stimulus, the overall system, including the nervous system, immune system, lymphatic system, the liver, kidneys and other vital organs, does not! Thus, a whole body workout is a necessity.
Main Line Health & Fitness has concluded, and we believe further research will verify, that there is an exercise paradigm to be followed for patients suffering from symptoms related to lymphedema and those patients trying to prevent it. Specifically, we strongly recommend safe-specific medically sound exercise that strengthens muscles and bones, increases blood flow supply, enhances flexibility while minimizing impact forces. This is best accomplished during machine-based resistance training that emphasizes slow, smooth controlled movement of 10-15 repetitions. We do not recommend, and are critical of the following: high impact exercise, including resistance training utilizing fast ballistic movement resulting in high impact forces being placed on the muscles and connective tissues, traditional “high-impact” aerobic classes, jogging or running. When force exceeds structural integrity, injury must occur! As far as lymphedema, specifically, the inherent risks with these activities far outweigh any potential benefits, period!
The “Lymphedema” workout works all of the major muscular structures of the body from largest to smallest. The body functions as a unit. Training the whole body will speed rehabilitation of an injured limb through a process known as the “indirect effect”.
THE EXACT WORKOUT
Follow the specific order. An asterisk (*) indicates direct work for lymphedema affected areas
- Hip Extension- The gluteal group (buttocks etc.) is the largest muscular structure in the body. Thus, it is worked first when the trainee is fresh and strong.
- Leg Extension- quadriceps
- Leg Curl- hamstrings
- Leg Press- gluteal group, quadriceps, and hamstrings*
- Pullover- Latissimus dorsi, upper torso
- Torso-Arm (Lat Pulldown) or Row- upper torso and arms
- Arm Cross- primary function of the pectorals
- Chest Press- pectorals, deltoids and arms
- Lateral Raise- primary function of the deltoids
- Overhead Press- deltoids, pectorals and arms
- Bicep Machine- upper arms
- Tricep Machine- upper arms
- 4-Way Neck Machine- neck function
- Abdominal or Hip Flexion Machine- abdominal and hip flexors
- Lumbar Extension or Torso Rotation Machine- Isolated exercise for the vulnerable muscles of the lower back and muscles that rotate the torso
