Lymphedema

Medical Q&A [Moderated]
1

Hi,

New to this forum and excited to hear your opinions.

A case I would like to enquire about: female client in her early 60’s with lymphedema in her right arm. Breast cancer operation about five years ago.

She is wary about doing upper body work with the possible event of triggering lymphedema.

Have so far done overhead press/bench press on a two-day split with 1 set of 5 in each exercise at a light intensity with her.

Had a mild reaction the day after the first two workouts (a little swelling in her right hand), which has not come back after the third or fourth session.

Any ideas on whether symptoms can occassionally occur, and what to look out for when programming her upper body lifts?

Appreciate your feedback.

Thanks

2

Symptoms can occasionally occur for a variety of reasons, although I am not aware of any specific programming recommendations I’d have for someone in this situation. It’s going to be a highly individual process requiring trial and error, gradual progression & experimentation.