What is lymphoedema therapy done with?

A lymphoedema specialist may use gentle manual lymphatic drainage, exercises that activate nearby muscles, and breathing techniques to support fluid movement. A fitted compression garment or bandaging can help control swelling between appointments. Skin care matters because stretched or dry skin can be easier to injure. The programme is adapted to the affected body area, the amount of swelling, your movement, and any cancer treatment or surgery.

Compression should feel supportive, not sharply painful, numb, or unusually cold. A garment needs the right size and pressure for you; do not borrow one or alter it without advice. See [Compression Garment](/materials/compression-garment/) and [Lymphoedema Therapy](/treatments/survivorship-and-rehabilitation/lymphoedema-therapy/) for related information.

Wear compression for the periods recommended by your therapist and check your skin when removing it. Keep the area moisturised with a suitable product, protect it from cuts and burns, and build movement gradually. Avoid forceful massage unless a trained clinician has shown you the technique. Tell your therapist about new pain, skin changes, a garment that rolls or slips, or swelling that changes quickly.

Contact a clinician promptly if the swollen area becomes red, hot, increasingly tender, or suddenly larger, especially with fever or feeling unwell. These changes can signal infection or another problem that needs assessment. Remove compression and seek advice if it causes marked pain, numbness, colour change, or loss of sensation. Seek urgent help for severe breathlessness or chest pain.

Ask which compression option fits your limb, when to wear it, which exercises are safe, and how to protect your skin. Ask who should measure or replace the garment and what changes require an urgent review.