| Page updated 3/19/10 |
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Lymphland International Lymphedema Online
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| Lymphedema and Weight Lifting Misconceptions Weight Training Prevents Lymphedema WRONG! There is no evidence that weight lifting prevents lymphedema women with lymphedema should not be told that they could have prevented their condition by weight-lifting. If weight lifting is safe and all those years we told women not to weight-lift, then all those other cautions like avoiding blood pressure or blood draws on the affected side must be wrong too! WRONG! When lymph nodes are removed, the part of the body that was served by those lymph nodes Is forever altered with regard to responding to infection, inflammation, injury and trauma. The study results mean that all women with lymphedema can buy weights or a gym Membership and do what they want without fear of their lymphedema getting worse. WRONG! Lymphedema should be stable prior to starting weight-lifting – no cellulitic infections that required antibiotics over the past three months and no “flare-ups” also in the past three months. If I do weight-lifting, I will never have another exacerbation. WRONG! Most of the women who experiences exacerbations did not follow the safety guidelines. If it is safe for me to do weight-lifting, then it is okay for me to lift heavy things at work. WRONG! If a woman starts weight-lifting at 1 to 3 lbs., increases gradually overtime, and experiences no negative effects from weight-lifting, her ability to safely lift heavy things at work and at home will gradually increase. Written by Karen Berry Lymphland International Lymphedema Online |