Intervention and treatment of upper limb lymphedema with traditional Chinese medicine

doi:10.12032/life2019-0720-408

Life Research

2019, Vol. 2

Issue (4): 160-164 DOI: 10.12032/life2019-0720-408

Hypothesis

Intervention and treatment of upper limb lymphedema with traditional Chinese medicine

Qiuhua Li¹, Yuehai Ma¹, Ning Wang¹, Ying Hu², Zhaozhe Liu^3,^*(

)

¹The Second hospital of Liaoning University of Chinese Medicine, Shenyang, Liaoning
²Shengjing Hospital of China Medicine University, Shenyang, Liaoning
³Northern Theater Command General Hospital, Shenyang, Liaoning.

Download:

HTML

PDF(1290KB)
Export: BibTeX | EndNote (RIS)

Abstract

Breast cancer is a common malignant tumor in women. Because of the clearing of axillary lymph nodes and the radiotherapy of lymph node region, lymphatic dysfunction occurs and lymphatic fluid retards in the interstitial space. These will lead to a series of pathological changes, such as tissue edema, chronic inflammation, tissue fibrosis and fatty fibrosis. Lymphedema is a chronic disease with the feature of slow progression and is currently incurable. The timely treatment and proper care can alleviate the symptoms and improve the quality of life. The internal and external treatment of Chinese medicine intervention is beneficial for upper limb lymphedema, and the purpose of this research is to share our clinical experiences.

Key words： Breast cancer Lymphedema Traditional Chinese medicine

Received: 31 May 2019 Published: 19 July 2019

Corresponding Authors: Liu Zhaozhe
E-mail: lzz_summer@126.com.

	Service
	E-mail this article
	Add to my bookshelf
	Add to citation manager
	E-mail Alert
	RSS
	Articles by authors
	Li Qiuhua
	Ma Yuehai
	Wang Ning
	Hu Ying
	Liu Zhaozhe

Cite this article:

Qiuhua Li, Yuehai Ma, Ning Wang, Ying Hu, Zhaozhe Liu. Intervention and treatment of upper limb lymphedema with traditional Chinese medicine. 90Life Research, 2019, 2(4): 160-164.

Trendmd:

URL:

https://www.tmrjournals.com/lr/EN/10.12032/life2019-0720-408 OR https://www.tmrjournals.com/lr/EN/Y2019/V2/I4/160

Fig. 1 Illustration of bandage binding therapy.

After a tubular bandage is worn and a cotton pad is wrapped around the tubular bandage, the low-elastic bandage is used to perform gradient pressure dressing on the affected limb.

Fig. 2 Local acupuncture therapy.

Before pricking blood with cupping, Ashi acupoints are chosen for the acupuncture in the swelling upper limbs.

Fig. 3 pricking blood-letting therapy.

Pricking blood with cupping is conducted at nodules and cords to remove blood stasis and reduce tissue fibrosis.

Fig. 4 Pre-treatment and Post-treatment of Lymphedema.

A. Before treatment, swelling, severe fibrosis and anatomical deformity appears in affected forearm and hand. B. After treatment, the swelling, fibrosis and anatomical deformity are improved significantly in affected forearm and hand.


1.	Banzeer A, Javed I, Ali Talha K, et al. Role of dietary phytochemicals in modulation of miRNA expression: Natural swords combating breast cancer. Eur J Oncol Nurs. 2018; 11: 501-509.

2.	Greinwald J, Cohen AP, Hemanackah S, et al. Massive lymphatic malformations of the head, neck, and chest. J Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2008; 37: 169-173.

3.	Gentileschi, Stefano, Servillo, et al. Lymphatic mapping of the upper limb with lymphedema before lymphatic supermicrosurgery by mirroring of the healthy limb. Microsurg. 2017; 37: 881-889.

4.	Catherine, Bulley Fiona, Coutts Christine, et al. A Morbidity Screening Tool for identifying fatigue, pain, upper limb dysfunction and lymphedema after breast cancer treatment: A validity study. Eur J Oncol Nurs. 2014; 18: 218-227.

5.	Sun Di, Yu Ziyou, Chen Jiajia, et al. The Value of Using a SkinFibroMeter for Diagnosis and Assessment of Secondary Lymphedema and Associated Fibrosis of Lower Limb Skin. Lymphat Res Biol. 2017; 15: 70-76.

6.	Fong SSM, Ng SSM, Luk WS, et al. Effects of qigong exercise on upper limb lymphedema and blood flow in survivors of breast cancer: A pilot study. Integr Cancer Ther. 2013; 13: 54-61.

7.	Matika, Christina A, Wasilewski, et al. Antiproliferative factor regulates connective tissue growth factor (CTGF/CCN2) expression in T24 bladder carcinoma cells. Mol Biol Cell. 2012; 23: 1976-1985.

8.	Seyhan Karacavus, Yunus Keser, Yilmaz, et al. Clinical Significance of Lymphoscintigraphy Findings in the Evaluation of Lower Extremity Lymphedema. Mol Imaging Radionucl Ther. 2015; 24: 80-84.

9.	Tessa De Vrieze, Lore Vos, Nick Gebruers, et al. Protocol of a randomised controlled trial regarding the effectiveness of fluoroscopy-guided manual lymph drainage for the treatment of breast cancer-related lymphoedema (EF for T-BCRL trial). Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol. 2017; 221: 177-188.

10.	Smykla A, Walewicz K, Trybulski R, et al. Effect of Kinesiology Taping on Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema: A Randomized Single-Blind Controlled Pilot Study. Biomed Res Int. 2013; 2013: 767106.

11.	Didem K1, Ufuk YS, Serdar S, et al. The comparison of two different physiotherapy methods in treatment of lymphedema after breast surgery. Breast Cancer Res Tr. 2005; 93: 49-54.

12.	Amy Fetzer. Specialist approaches to managing lipoedema. Br J Community Nurs. 2016; 30-35.

13.	G Szolnoky, B Lakatos, T Keskeny, et al. Intermittent pneumatic compression acts synergistically with manual lymphatic drainage in complex decongestive physiotherapy for breast cancer treatment-related lymphedema. Lymphology. 2009; 42: 188-194.

14.	Guerero, Raquel Michelini, Das Neves, et al. Manual Lymphatic Drainage in Blood Circulation of Upper Limb With Lymphedema After Breast Cancer Surgery. J Manip Physiol Ther. 2017; 40: 246-249.

15.	Cassileth BR, Van Zee KJ, Yeung KS, et al. Acupuncture in the treatment of upper-limb lymphedema. Cancer. 2013; 119: 2455-2461.

[1]	Jia-Le Guo. Contrasting cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia to analyze sleep theory in Laolao Hengyan[J]. 90Life Research, 2020, 3(1): 44-49.

[2]	Xue-Wei Qi, Man-Jing Pan, Tian-Yan Wen. A meta-analysis of the treatment of cancer-related insomnia with acupuncture[J]. 90Life Research, 2020, 3(1): 15-25.

[3]	C.P. Ong. Taijiquan's Enigma[J]. 90Life Research, 2019, 2(1): 31-44.

[4]	Shiruli Dash. The polygenic risk in schizophrenia: assessing GWASs and evaluating Clozapine, ECT and other treatment modalities[J]. 90Life Research, 2019, 2(1): 22-30.

[5]	Gómez Jensen Alberto Alejandro, Martínez Diana Elina, Wan Qing Guo. Efficacy of Qigong for the treatment of alopecia universalis:a clinical case report[J]. 90Life Research, 2019, 2(1): 8-13.

Viewed

Full text

Abstract

Cited

Shared

Discussed