L-W-O Community supports primary and secondary lymphoedema by promoting emotional wellness, lymphatic health, self-care, patient empowerment, online and in the community.
Selfcare
L-W-O Community is proud to support the self-care movement and delighted to collaborate with the Self-Care Forum. Gaynor is honoured to be one of its self-care champions.
Self-Care is one of the cornerstones of living well with lymphoedema
The cornerstones of lymphoedema management are:
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Skincare
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Compression
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Get Moving
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Healthy Eating
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Well-Being
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Self-Care
This page offers an overview of the many practical ways you can support your well-being while living with lymphoedema or any long-term condition. While lymphoedema remains incurable at present, we choose to focus on the positive, empowering strategies that help you live well every day.
Lymphoedema is a condition that can be managed and treated, and at L-W-O Community, we passionately advocate for supported self-care. While access to support through the NHS isn't always guaranteed, we’re here to guide you in building daily routines that make a real difference. Our goal is to highlight the way in which you could improve your well-being and explain the reasoning behind the information provided so you understand the 'why' as much as the 'how.'
To explore the topics that are part of the cornerstones of lymphoedema self-care, click on the independent links below.
Skincare is one of the most important aspects of self-care for lymphoedema. The goal for those of us living with lymphoedema is to prevent infection from entering our bodies through our skin and to stop our skin from becoming dry and flaky. Which is why it is important to wash our skin daily, dry ourselves carefully and moisturise every day. Check for breaks in the skin caused by cuts, bites, or scratches. Read more ...
Compression
You have now been diagnosed with lymphoedema; the next step will be for you to see a lymphoedema therapist. If your lymphoedema affects your arm or leg, you’ll be measured for a compression garment designed to help manage and reduce swelling.
In 2015 the L-W-O Community took a conscious decision not to use the word ‘exercise’, and this has been quite a challenge because everyone else uses the word ‘exercise’. Why do this? Our members who have leg or foot lymphoedema really struggle with getting around, and telling them exercise would help to improve their condition does not help their mental health and creates more stress. L-W-O Community uses the term #GetMoving
Healthy Eating
There is no specific diet for lymphoedema; the choice is yours. Maintaining a healthy weight is important, as excess fatty tissue may interfere with lymphatic channels and reduce the flow of fluid through them. Read more...
Do any of us spend enough time just taking care of ourselves? Do we take the time to connect with nature or be mindful of ourselves? Do we know when to relax and when we need to be with others? We are all different; we all have different needs, but do find time for yourself. Be kind to yourself. Read more...
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