Heat and Lymphedema

This weblog will discover several types of warmth remedy with a concentrate on warmth remedy for lymphedema. I undertook this investigation to reply some widespread questions like; Is warmth good for lymphedema? Does warmth make lymphedema worse? Does warmth assist lymphedema?

Consider, this data doesn’t change the expertise and suggestions of your well being care skilled.

Warmth Remedy

Warmth remedy additionally referred to as thermotherapy or hyperthermia (hyper=excessive and thermia = technology of warmth). It may be administered by way of sauna in a number of types together with; infrared sauna, steam baths, and Finnish saunas. In terms of total well being and sauna remedy, essentially the most broadly studied modality is the normal Finnish sauna (Laukkanen, 2018).

There are additionally non-sauna variations of warmth remedy equivalent to ultrasound, electromagnetic remedy, microwave remedy, scorching tubs and heating pads. These have all been studied in lymphedema (maintain studying for that data). However first, let’s reply the query…what are these several types of warmth remedy?

Sorts of Warmth Remedy

Sizzling Tubs

Also referred to as whirlpools, and Jacuzzi’s these are giant tubs during which handled water circulates via a filtration system and thru jets. They’ve a thermostat so that you can regulate the temperature of the water.

Electromagnetic Remedy

Pulsed electromagnetic subject remedy (PEMF remedy) or low subject magnetic stimulation (LFMS) makes use of electromagnetic fields to heal fractures and to deal with melancholy. They appear to be thick yoga mats they usually comprise flat spiral coils to transmit a fair electromagnetic subject.

Finnish Sauna

Dry air heated to 150-195F (80-100C) inside a wood construction with wooden benches with 10-20% humidity normally for five to twenty minutes with cooling off durations in between.

Infrared Sauna

Additionally referred to as far infrared saunas, which refers back to the far finish of the sunshine spectrum. Quite than heating your physique by heating the air, the infrared sauna, heats your physique via infrared mild. The infrared sauna doesn’t warmth as much as the identical temperature and will be extra snug for individuals. The temperature inside an infrared sauna is often 110-135F (43-57C).

Microwave Remedy

Earlier than, you suppose it…no, this doesn’t contain big microwave ovens. It does contain very excessive frequency electromagnetic waves that may penetrate 3-5 cm beneath the pores and skin. It generates warmth which will be directed in the direction of a selected goal space by utilizing a handheld machine.

Steam Bathtub

Additionally referred to as Turkish baths, steam rooms have been historically used as public tub homes earlier than indoor plumbing. The temperature is 100-110F (38-43C), with very excessive humidity (Human Kenetics, 2023).

Ozone Sauna

That is an individual-sized steam chamber equipped with ozone from an ozone generator. The consumer would sit within the chamber with their head outdoors. It ought to be famous that ozone saunas wouldn’t have a medical machine license from Well being Canada, which suggests they haven’t been authorised to be used and Well being Canada recommends that you simply don’t use them (Well being Canada, 2022). Well being Canada notes on their web site that publicity to extreme ranges of ozone could trigger headache, cough, dry throat, nausea, shortness of breath and fluid buildup within the lungs (pulmonary edema).

Ultrasound Remedy

We regularly consider ultrasound as a diagnostic software that’s used to see contained in the physique and any pregnant girl has possible had a number of ultrasounds of their rising fetus throughout which you’ll be able to see a grainy picture of the child. Ultrasound can also be used as a remedy machine by bodily therapists for ache, damage and muscle spasms. These will be thermal or mechanical gadgets. The thermal gadgets work by inflicting the pores and skin and muscular tissues to vibrate and warmth up, transferring warmth via the pores and skin to the organs and tissues beneath the pores and skin.

Sauna Remedy and Total Well being

A 2018 evaluation printed by researchers from Finland examined the well being results of saunas (Laukkanen, 2018). Using saunas could be very common in Finland the place they’re used for pleasure, wellness and leisure. Among the well being advantages related to sauna use embrace:
• Discount of hypertension
• Discount of heart problems threat
• Discount of stroke threat
• Discount in cognitive illness threat
• Discount of flu threat
• Lowered mortality
• Remedy of pores and skin circumstances
• Lowered ache resulting from rheumatic illness
• Lowered complications
• Lowered oxidative stress and irritation
• Improved blood levels of cholesterol

Throughout sauna, the center charge will increase to about 120-150 beats per minute. Blood is diverted from the inner organs to the legs and arms with lowered venous return. With all of those well being advantages, it’s straightforward to see why somebody with lymphedema would possibly need to partake. However is sauna secure for lymphedema?

Warmth Remedy and Lymphedema

The present place paper on Danger Discount from the Nationwide Lymphedema Community states “keep away from publicity to excessive warmth and chilly”. This was final up to date in 2012 and the group has plans to replace all of their place papers (NLN, 2012).

Let’s take a look at some current analysis to see if these suggestions may have to vary. Fortunately, there’s a model new evaluation paper printed that examines this actual query (Hill, 2023).

This authors summarize the analysis included of their evaluation as follows:
• 18 research
• Revealed between 1986 and 2022
• Analysis came about in China (7), Italy (4), Japan (3), India (2), Brazil (1), Egypt (1) and USA (1)
• A complete of 1,137 individuals with lymphedema have been included within the evaluation

Inside this assortment of research, warmth remedy was utilized utilizing:
• Microwave remedy
• Microwave plus bandaging (with or with out vibration)
• Sizzling water
• Gentle remedy (with and with out inferential remedy with or with out compression)
• Infrared sauna
• Electrical blanket plus guide lymphatic drainage
• Ultrasound
• Electromagnetic remedy

With the warmth utility, most research have been aiming to attain pores and skin temperature of 30-42F.

Findings of Warmth Remedy for Lymphedema Overview

Total, these research discovered profit for lymphedema after warmth remedy.  However earlier than you begin getting in a sauna together with your lymphedema, it’s essential fastidiously consider the kind of warmth remedy, the temperature and length utilized in these research, and focus on it together with your lymphedema therapist earlier than you proceed.

I’ve summarized the outcomes beneath on this desk that will help you decide what additional analysis it’s essential do.

*it is a abstract solely. For extra particulars, lookup the person research – see reference part beneath.

Conclusions on Warmth Remedy for Lymphedema

Whereas this was a superb effort to gather and assimilate the entire analysis on warmth remedy for lymphedema, in the long run, the authors concluded that they nonetheless don’t have sufficient analysis to make any suggestions on warmth remedy for lymphedema. However…they level out that there’s sufficient proof to counsel additional analysis is warranted.

One factor I’ll point out is that, regardless that this analysis evaluation is new (printed in 2023), a number of of the research that they’ve included should not. I echo the authors place that extra analysis is warranted, particularly now that we have now newer methods of evaluating lymphedema – this will help decide if warmth actually is helpful or whether it is dangerous and whether it is useful, beneath what circumstances or lymphedema varieties and phases it’s useful.

I checked ClinicalTrials.gov to see if any analysis is presently underway and there should not any research presently listed. However if you wish to examine for updates your self, go to ClinicalTrials.gov

Do you have to use warmth together with your lymphedema?

Focus on it together with your lymphedema therapist, share the experiences you’ve had with warmth publicity together with your lymphedema to this point and you’ll share this weblog together with your well being care skilled if they need handy entry to the analysis that’s been printed up to now.

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Get my free obtain – 7 Point Eating Plan for Lymphedema

References on Warmth Remedy for Lymphedema

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Campisi C, Boccardo F, Tacchella M. Use of thermotherapy in management of lymphedema: clinical observations. Int J Angiol. 1999;8(1):73–75. doi: 10.1007/BF01616849.

Campisi C, Boccardo F, Tacchella M. Thermotherapy and microsurgery: new developments within the administration of lymphedema.Eur J Lymphol Relat Prob. 1995;5(17–18):23–25.

Cao W, Chang T, Gan J. Effects of microwave heating on systemic and local infiltrating lymphocytes in patients with chronic limb lymphedema. Chin Med J. 1999;112(9):822–827.

Chang TS, Gan JL, Fu KD, et al. The use of 5,6 benzo-[alpha]-pyrone (coumarin) and heating by microwaves in the treatment of chronic lymphedema of the legs. Lymphology.1996;29(3):106–111.

Chang TS, Gan JL, Huang WY, et al. A modified microwave oven in the treatment of chronic lymphedema of the extremities.Eur J Plast Surg. 1992;15(5):242–246. doi: 10.1007/BF00193663.

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Gan JL, Li SL, Cai RX, et al. Microwave heating within the administration of postmastectomy higher limb lymphedema. Ann Plast Surg. 1996;36(6):576–580, dialogue 80–81. doi:10.1097/00000637-199606000-00003.

Gogia SB, Appavoo NC, Mohan A, et al. Comparative results of non-operative multi-modal therapy for filarial lymphoedema. Indian J Plast Surg. 2009;42(1):22–30.

Hasegawa H, Ohkuma M. Calcitonin gene-related peptide in lymphedema and its change after physiotherapy by pulse magnetic fields, vibration and hyperthermia. Eur J Lymphol Relat Prob. 2010;21(59):1–2.

Well being Canada. Unlicensed ozone saunas may pose serious health risks to users and anyone in close proximity. Final up to date Nov 2, 2022. Accessed Dec 1, 2023

Hill, J. E., Whitaker, J. C., Sharafi, N., Hamer, O., Chohan, A., Harris, C., & Clegg, A. (2023). The effectiveness and safety of heat/cold therapy in adults with lymphoedema: systematic review. Incapacity and rehabilitation, 1–12. Advance on-line publication.

Human Kinetics. Maintain health/fitness facility sauna, stem room, and whirlpool operating standards. Accessed Dec 1, 2023.

Kulkarni AA, Abhyankar SV, Chaudhari GS, et al. Simple and effective method of heat therapy in lymphoedema. Indian J Surg. 2010;72(1):64–65. doi: 10.1007/s12262-010-0013-8.

Laukkanen, J. A., Laukkanen, T., & Kunutsor, S. Okay. (2018). Cardiovascular and Other Health Benefits of Sauna Bathing: A Review of the Evidence. Mayo Clinic proceedings, 93(8), 1111–1121.

Li Okay, Zhang Z, Liu NF, et al. Far-infrared radiation thermotherapy improves tissue fibrosis in chronic extremity lymphedema. Lymphat Res Biol. 2018;16(3):248–257. doi: 10.1089/lrb.2016.0057.

Li Okay, Liu NF, Zhang YX. Therapeutic results of far-infrared ray in treating continual decrease extremity lymphedema with dermatolymphangioadenitis. J Shanghai Jiaotong Univ (Med Sci). 2018;38(9):1059–1065.

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NLN, 2012. Position Statement of the National Lymphedema Network. Lymphedema Risk Reduction Practices. Final up to date Might, 2012. Accessed Dec 1, 2023.

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Ohkuma M. Treatment of peripheral lymphedema by concomitant application of magnetic fields, vibration and hyperthermia: a preliminary report. Lymphology. 2002;35(2):87–90.

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