Was is it bad to work out without compression when one has lymphoedema?

[SamLymphie]

Anyone knows the answer to the above please?

[Lynora]

No - not bad at all. Some therapists encourage it. As long as the compression is well fitting and doesn't cause the skin to break, it will be fine. One place you can leave off compression is in a pool - the water is doing the job of the compression.

[LymphSuppNetwork Partner LSN]

Hi Samlymphie, it is best to use compression when working out as you get double the good as the compression acts as a micromassage when you move and also gives your muscles something to work against. If you have lymphoedema and work out without compression as you get hot your body naturally sends extra blood around to try and cool things down- that is why you go red when you exercise, along with the blood comes fluid which your body has trouble processing if you have lymphoedema, compression can help with this. In fact a lot of elete athletes who do not have lymphoedema choose to wear compression when they are exercising as they believe it helps muscle recovery/

[Graciea in reply to LymphSuppNetwork]

It is always best to use compression when exercising unless your in the swimming pool, although I sometimes find it makes my legs feel more achy afterwards so I don’t always.

[SamLymphie in reply to LymphSuppNetwork]

Thank you

[SamLymphie in reply to LymphSuppNetwork]

Would you know if it affects the condition whether in the short or long term?I'm always working out without, simply because i feel lighter without hosiery and feel like i can move better too.

[LymphSuppNetwork Partner LSN in reply to SamLymphie]

Hi Sam, as with all things lymphoedema it is very individual but it really is a good thing to get used to if you can as it will maximise your work out as far as your lymphatics are concerned. Maybe start by wearing sport supportwear and build up to wearing your prescribed compression.

[Foxfinch in reply to SamLymphie]

I was told right from the start to wear compression during exercise (I can't not wear compression because of pain). Weight training, if you can do it, has been absolutely brilliant in helping keep swelling down, and again I wear class 3 flat knit made to measure compression on both legs (thigh high with individual toes). Swimming is good also, but its so difficult to get compression back on after. I discovered new swear words under my breath whilst trying to get them back on after swimming sessions, lol.

[Historia]

I share Sam's sense of feeling freeer and exercising better without any sleeve - and therefore enjoying it much more, which after all is also important! I feel the arm responds nicely, with good blood flow, and the lymphoedema if anything gets slightly better. It is doing no exercise for a period that increases the swelling.

[Foxfinch in reply to Historia]

I guess we are all different and at different stages of lymphodema. I have lower limb primary lymphodema which, I have to put compression on as soon as I wake up or I have loads of pain. Compression is brilliant even for those without lymphodema, particularly runners. Alot of athletes now see the benefits of it, so you may be able to get something from a sports shop to not feel so tight and give you some benefits