What exercises can I do to help head & neck lymphedema?

Exercises that directly target muscle pump and contraction of the face and neck will aide in decreasing swelling due to lymphedema of the head & neck. Exercises are recommended to be completed with your compression garment in place. The use of respiratory muscle strength training is utilized in all therapies including speech, occupational and physical therapy. A specific device known as the EMST150 or EMST75 demonstrates contraction of muscle groups utilized to protect our airway during the swallowing process.  

These muscle groups are called the suprahyoid group. They consist of the digastric muscles, stylohyoid, geniohyoid and mylohyoid muscles. Theses 4 muscles are located on the left and right side of the neck and referred to as bilateral muscle groups. In submental or submandibular lymphedema of the neck we want to activate these muscles while wearing our compression. Activating these muscles allows us to improve the movement of lymph fluid through the lymph vessels.

EMST150 or EMST75 would not be utilized in a patient with a free flap of the oral cavity due to the pressures that are generated when completing the exercise. This type of exercise is an active contraction with a specified load placed induced during expiration into the device.  Muscle activity is believed to help reduce swelling of the lymphatic system. Ask your speech, occupational or physical therapist today for more information on this tool in your rehabilitation process.

References:

Hutcheson KA, Barrow MP, Plowman EK, Lai SY, Fuller CD, Barringer DA, Eapen G, Wang Y, Hubbard R, Jimenez SK, Little LG, Lewin JS. Expiratory muscle strength training for radiation-associated aspiration after head and neck cancer: A case series. Laryngoscope. 2018 May;128(5):1044-1051. doi: 10.1002/lary.26845. Epub 2017 Aug 22. PMID: 28833185; PMCID: PMC5823707.