Lymphedema Hand Therapy

Hand and arm swelling from lymphedema can be managed effectively — and the right therapy approach makes a lasting difference.

Lymphedema occurs when damage or disruption to the lymphatic system causes fluid to accumulate in the tissues, leading to swelling, heaviness, and tightness — most commonly in the arm or hand. In the upper extremity, lymphedema most frequently develops after breast cancer treatment — surgery, radiation, or lymph node removal — but it can also result from other cancers, infections, or trauma that affects the lymphatic vessels.

What is lymphedema?

Lymphedema is a chronic condition, but it is manageable. The goal of treatment isn't to cure it — it's to reduce the swelling, improve the quality of the skin and tissue, restore as much function as possible, and give you the tools to maintain what you've gained. Untreated or under-treated lymphedema can progress to fibrosis and infection. With the right management, most patients achieve meaningful reduction in swelling and return to activity they thought they'd lost.

Therapist performing a careful hand and forearm massage as part of lymphedema management
Physiotherapist providing hands-on treatment to a patient's arm during lymphedema therapy

Who comes to us for lymphedema?

We primarily see patients who have undergone breast cancer treatment — lumpectomy, mastectomy, axillary node dissection, or radiation — who are experiencing arm and hand swelling, heaviness, or the characteristic tightness that comes with lymphatic disruption. We also see patients with other upper extremity lymphedema from surgery, infection, or injury. If your arm or hand has started to feel different — heavier, fuller, or harder to fit into a sleeve — that's worth having evaluated before it progresses.

How do we treat it at Reach Beyond Therapy?

At Reach Beyond Therapy, every session is one-on-one — just you and your therapist, no aides, no rushing, no shortened sessions, and no shared appointments with other clients. We use Complete Decongestive Therapy (CDT) — the gold standard for lymphedema management — which includes manual lymphatic drainage, multilayer compression bandaging, therapeutic exercise, and skin and self-care education. We work with your oncology team's guidelines and your body's specific response to develop a maintenance program you can sustain long-term. Managing lymphedema well is a partnership — we teach you what to do at home so you stay in control of your condition between visits.

Noticing arm or hand swelling after cancer treatment?

Early intervention makes lymphedema significantly easier to manage. Book a free discovery consult and we'll assess what you're experiencing and what we can do.

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Serving the South Bay

Lymphedema Is Manageable — With the Right Approach.

Reach Beyond Therapy proudly serves Redondo Beach, Torrance, Hermosa Beach, Manhattan Beach, El Segundo, and Palos Verdes with expert hand therapy, custom splinting, and post-operative rehabilitation by a Certified Hand Therapist with over 10 years of experience.

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