By Xiaomei Cai, L.Ac., Ph.D. and Qineng Tan, L.Ac., Ph.D.
Persistent swelling in your arms, legs, or other areas of your body? This could be a sign of lymphedema, a condition caused by the buildup of lymphatic fluid. Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) offer a gentle and effective way to promote lymphatic drainage and support the body’s natural detoxification process.
What Is Lymphedema?
The lymphatic system is a complex network of nodes, tubes and ducts that move lymph fluid through the body, carrying immune cells (like T cells, B cells, and NK cells) that fight against bacteria, viruses, cancer cells, and damaged cells.
Lymphedema is a chronic condition that occurs when the lymphatic system is unable to properly drain lymph fluid, leading to fluid retention and tissue swelling. When the system is blocked or damaged, lymph can accumulate in the tissues, causing swelling and discomfort.
Top 10 Symptoms of Lymphedema
Signs of lymphedema, or lymphatic edema, can develop slowly over time or come on quite suddenly. At first, you may notice that a part of your body is a little swollen, or that your arm or leg just seems a little bit more swollen and stiff than the other one. Your clothes might seem a little bit tighter.
You might notice that you can’t see veins in your limbs, when you used to be able to. Your joints just may seem stiff. It can be easy to attribute mild symptoms of lymphedema to hot weather, general inflammation, or simply aging.
As lymphedema progresses to more severe stages, you may begin to notice that the affected areas are always stiff and swollen, firm to the touch, and that the skin in those areas is becoming noticeably thicker.
Common symptoms of lymphedema include:
- Swelling in the arms, legs, fingers, toes, face, or trunk
- A feeling of heaviness or tightness in the affected area, restricted range of motion
- Aching or discomfort in the swollen limb
- Recurring infections in the affected area
- Hardening or thickening of the skin (fibrosis), redness, itchy skin
Symptoms of lymphedema may worsen over time if they are not addressed. Acupuncture and TCM offer a holistic way to treat lymphedema and manage the underlying conditions that cause swelling.
Common Causes of Lymphedema
There can be many different factors that lead to a buildup of lymphatic fluid. A few of the most common causes of lymphatic edema include:
- Surgical removal of lymph nodes (commonly due to cancer treatment)
- Radiation therapy that damages lymph vessels or nodes
- Infections that cause inflammation and blockage of lymphatic vessels
- Cancer that spreads to or blocks lymph nodes
- Injury or trauma to the lymphatic system
- Congenital malformations or underdeveloped lymphatic vessels (primary lymphedema)
- Obesity and sedentary lifestyle that impair lymph flow
Treatment for Lymphedema
Conventional treatment for lymphedema typically focuses on symptom management and improving quality of life. This may include a recommendation to wear compression garments like sleeves or stockings to encourage lymph flow. Manual lymphatic drainage (MLD): A specialized massage technique performed by trained therapists to move lymph fluid manually.
Gentle, regular physical activity may be recommended to help stimulate lymphatic circulation.
Machines known as Pneumatic compression devices, such as inflatable sleeves worn on the limbs, can mimic manual drainage.
In some cases, procedures to remove excess tissue or improve drainage pathways.
While these methods can help manage the symptoms, they often need to be maintained consistently and may not address the underlying systemic imbalances.
TCM View of Lymphedema
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, lymphedema is viewed as a disruption of the body’s natural flow of Qi (vital energy) and fluids. According to TCM theory, the spleen plays a central role in fluid metabolism. When the spleen Qi is weak or deficient, it cannot properly transform and transport fluids, leading to dampness and phlegm accumulation. This internal dampness can settle in the limbs and cause swelling.
Lymphedema may also be related to stagnation of Qi and blood, particularly in the channels (meridians) that traverse the affected area. External factors like trauma, surgery, or radiation can block the flow of Qi and blood, creating what TCM refers to as “blood stasis.”
Key TCM patterns that may contribute to lymphedema include:
- Spleen Qi deficiency
- Damp accumulation
- Qi stagnation
- Blood stasis
Can Acupuncture Help With Lymphatic Drainage?
Acupuncture helps to regulate the flow of Qi and blood through the meridians. When specific points are stimulated, they can promote circulation and encourage the movement of stagnant fluids.
Herbal medicine and acupuncture treatments can strengthen the spleen’s function of fluid transformation and transport. Strengthening the kidneys also helps resolve chronic dampness and supports the body’s ability to detoxify.
Research has shown that acupuncture has anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects. For patients experiencing pain, heaviness, and aching due to lymphedema, acupuncture can provide relief.
A healthy lymphatic system is essential for immune function. Acupuncture has been found to modulate immune activity and may help reduce the frequency of infections associated with lymphedema.
Gentle massage techniques like Tui Na and Gua Sha can be applied along the meridians to manually stimulate lymphatic drainage. Unlike deep tissue massage, these methods work with the body’s energy system to promote gentle, effective movement of fluids without overwhelming the tissues.
One study of women who had breast cancer related lymphedema found that twice weekly acupuncture sessions over the course of four weeks helped reduce swelling in their arms.
A review of studies on acupuncture treatment for cancer patients showed that acupuncture not only helped with lymphatic swelling, but also helped to relieve anxiety and depression, nausea and vomiting, and chemotherapy induced neuropathy.
Acupuncture Near Me for Lymphatic Drainage in West Los Angeles
Lymphedema can be a chronic and frustrating condition, but there are holistic options that go beyond symptom management. Acupuncture and TCM offer time-tested methods to support lymphatic drainage, strengthen the body’s natural detox systems, and relieve discomfort. If you’re living with lymphedema or chronic swelling, reach out to us at Art of Wellness Acupuncture in West Los Angeles. We’d be happy to create a personalized treatment plan to help you feel lighter, more comfortable, and more energized again.
*This article is for education from the perspective of Traditional Chinese Medicine only. The education provided by this article is not approved by FDA to diagnose, prevent, treat and cure human diseases. It should not stop you from consulting with your physician for your medical conditions. Traditional Chinese Medicine is based on Qi, which is an invisible force that usually cannot be observed by modern science. Because science focuses on testing ideas about the natural world with evidence obtained through observation, these aspects of acupuncture can’t be studied by science. Therefore acupuncture and Chinese herbs are often not supported by double-blind, randomized trials, and they are considered alternative medicine therapies in the United States.
