Lymphoedema affects 250+ million people worldwide. In Australia, it affects over 300,000 people (more than Parkinson's, MS, ALS and muscular dystrophy combined). It commonly occurs as a side effect of cancer treatment, where it can affect up to 30% of people going through radiotherapy, chemotherapy or surgery. However, it can also be genetic, or occur secondarily to trauma or injury.
Our body's lymphatic system is part of our immune system, controlling our fluid levels and helping remove toxic waste. It's our body's very own filtration system. Our lymph vessels mostly travel alongside our blood circulation.
Lymphoedema occurs when the lymphatic system is injured or obstructed, causing excess swelling to build up. This excess swelling, and the proteins that are unable to be removed, can then produce areas of further inflammation and fibrosis. Though it can sometimes look like it, lymphoedema is not to be confused with lipoedema, which is an accumulation of fat cells, mostly occurring in women due to hormonal changes. Both lymphoedema and lipoedema can lead to swelling, and be very painful. However, where as lymphoedema can be either one side or both sides of the body, lipoedema usually affects both sides.
Laser Therapy for Lymphoedema
Cancer Council cites laser therapy as a natural, drug-free and painless treatment option for lymphoedema. It has a very high safety profile: in over 6000+ studies on low-level laser, there have never been any serious adverse events reported, and thanks to WALT (World Association of Laser Therapy), excellent guidelines exist regarding the dosage parameters for post-cancer lymphoedema and peripheral neuropathy treatments.
Laser therapy is has become a staple of many physiotherapy clinics over the past 40-50 years for the treatment of pain, inflammation, and wound repair. In fact, light therapy is not a new technology at all: Niels Finsen won the Nobel Prize for it back in 1902 by showing it could be used to treat infection. For lymphoedema, there have now been over 14 studies, involving over 498+ patients, reporting positive outcomes.
At The Cellular Level
Infrared laser therapy works via a few ways:
1) Stimulating cellular mitochondria (the engine of the cell) to produce more cellular energy, known as ATP. This cellular energy is then used for healing and repair
2) Powerful anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant
3) Improved blood and lymphatic flow
4) Reduced fibrosis and fibroblasts
5) Increased motility (motion) of the lymphatic system
Most of the research that's been done for lymphoedema has been done using a pulsed, 904 nm device, like a PhysioCare or DuoCare.
At The Clinical Level
There have been a number of clinical studies published on laser therapy for lymphoedema, which demonstrate positive results. Sustained effects have been reported up to 36 months later, and many of the studies have compared laser therapy to other modalities such as compression or manual lymphatic drainage, or used it in conjunction with these therapies, and reported more clinically positive outcomes in the laser groups. Typically, treatment is applied x2-3/wk, and takes 5-20 minutes. This is one advantage of having a laser device that is approved for use at home. All SYMBYX devices are approved for either use at home or in a clinic.
Some of the positive effects that have been demonstrated include:
- Reduced limb volume and circumference
- Reduced extracellular fluid levels
- Softening of areas of fibrosis
- Better shoulder mobility
- Better grip strength
- Reduced pain
- Reduced feeling of "heaviness"
Which device is best for me?
Of the research that's been done, the majority has been done using a pulsed 904 nm infrared laser, like our PhysioCare or DuoCare 904 devices. Both the PhysioCare and DuoCare can be used either at-home or in-clinic.
Many people with lymphoedema also suffer musculoskeletal conditions and peripheral neuropathy. For those people, the DuoCare is our recommended device. This is because it can also be used to treat peripheral neuropathy, and is more effective for treating pain and inflammation around the body. This is because nerves, and certain pain conditions, require much higher dosages than lymphatics to heal. It can also treat lymphoedema in half the time that the PhysioCare can. Nevertheless, both devices are great options.