Furnace Brook Physical Therapy in the News

Relief For Cancer Patients: Physical Therapy Can Help Those Suffering From Lymph Node Disorder

The Patriot Ledger Quincy, MA
December 29, 2008
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Sandy McNally was relieved that her breast cancer treatments were successful and that her disease was in remission.

Yet after undergoing chemotherapy, a mastectomy and radiation, McNally was later faced with an unexpected and uncomfortable ailment: lymphedema.

Lymphedema results from a blockage in a person's lymphatic system. The blockage prevents the lymph fluid in a person's limbs from draining adequately, causing swelling. As the fluid accumulates, the swelling worsens. There is no cure for lymphedema, but it can be controlled with treatments.

"My whole arm swelled so much that one arm was bigger than the other arm," McNally, 47, of Hull said. "I had this big bulge under my armpit, and it was so uncomfortable, I couldn't put my arm down."

McNally sought treatment from Kristen Ross, a physical therapist at Furnace Brook Physical Therapy in Quincy.

Ross, who was trained in lymphedema therapy in February, said lymphedema often develops after a person's lymph nodes are damaged, sometimes because of a surgical procedure or radiation treatments. In some cases, a patient may have lymph nodes removed during a mastectomy, requiring the lymph nodes that remain to work a lot harder.

"They're overworked and you end up getting this buildup of liquid," Ross said.

Ross uses a technique called manual lymphatic drainage, which is basically a light massage that helps direct the built-up fluid to another part of the body with lymph nodes. The technique does tend to lessen the swelling, but the results typically last only a few hours. Ross also performs compression therapy with foam and bandages, and explains how to order other compression garments that help control swelling.

Many patients have a hard time dealing with the constant maintenance that lymphedema requires, Ross said.

"I have found for people that it's a constant reminder of their cancer," she said. "But once we get them on a really good regimen, they can become independent with it."

Ross has worked with 10 patients with lymphedema - many of them breast cancer patients - since Furnace Brook began offering the treatments in February. She typically sees lymphedema patients twice a week, then treats other ailments, like ankle sprains and back pain, on other days.

"I found there was such a need for (lymphedema treatments), especially on the South Shore," Ross said.

After receiving eight weeks of treatments, McNally is doing better. The massages helped push the fluid to other lymph nodes, and although she knows her lymphedema is unlikely to ever go away, she is able to keep it under control on her own. She wears a compression sleeve during the day and an overnight garment when she sleeps.

"After going through breast cancer, you don't expect to have this happen. It's hard," McNally said. "But I have been so happy with the treatments. If it gets more swelled than it is now, I know I can always go back for more physical therapy to make it better."

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