The Optimal Lymph Flow

The Optimal Lymph Flow

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Welcome to The-Optimal-Lymph-Flow™, a research based program.

This program is designed for you to use as a self-study program to learn about lymphedema and what you can do to actively help reduce the risk of lymphedema from developing after cancer surgery, or improve your management of lymphedema after developing it, or help relieve pain or discomfort related to breast cancer treatment and lymphedema. Please read through each section carefully and watch the videos to learn how to do the exercises to promote lymph flow. Most importantly, building a daily routine to do the exercises to promote lymph flow can optimize your quality of life.

Empowerment

  • “I am so happy that I came for the study. It empowers me, any breast cancer patients should come.”
  • “The website is empowering for the women who want to prevent lymphedema, as well as for those who already have lymphedema.”
  • “It is a fabulous program. Women will love it. I learned so much about risk reduction. The videos are fabulous to show how to exercise & I love the why I need to do the exercise. This will be a great asset to patients.”
  • “I liked the clarity of the explanations & the simplicity of using the website. The website is empowering for the women who want to prevent lymphedema, as well as for those who already have lymphedema.”

High Quality Information

  • “High quality information. Easy to understand, details included in each sections are clear to read and view.”
  • “Excellent explanation of lymphedema-best I’ve seen.”
  • “The system is excellent when I compare to the time years ago when I had breast cancer and was given Xerox copies of exercises to do.”
  • “Lymphatic system, lymphedema and self-care are explained very clearly. It did not create panic but clearly stated why it is important to do the lymphatic exercises.”
  • “Very well rounded/comprehensive approach to helping in reducing the risk of lymphedema.”
  • “Love the self-care tips.”
  • “Looked at many lectures on lymphedema but none as clear as this system.”
  • “The option to read along, or just listen, while watching the videos. Great idea!”
  • “Invaluable information. Great videos!– pictures and movies help me understand both the lymphatic system and the lymphatic exercises.”
  • “Simple language provided clear understanding. The information was effective…very much so. The diagrams & process guides provided understanding & learning on a higher level.”
  • “Very effective exercises.”
  • “Love the information about what, when and how to recover and managing symptoms.”

Loving Avatar Simulation Videos

  • “I like the exercises!!! After I finished learning the exercises by following the videos, my pain and soreness were much better.”
  • “Videos are very helpful in teaching how to do the exercises. It is nice that I can go back and watch it again & again. I am glad that patients can have it at home. I love the contents & hope patients can get it sooner. I enjoyed the videos a lot.”
  • “I love the videos that show the anatomy & fluid flow & deep breathing. I also love the lymphatic system video.”
  • “The videos of how to perform the lymphatic exercises were very easy to follow.”
  • “Videos are excellent-you could do as you watched.”
  • “Love the avatar videos. You can follow the videos and do the exercises.”
  • “It was helpful to have an animated model of the exercises, rather than a sheet with merely pictures of the exercises.”
  • “I love to follow the daily videos to do the exercises.”

Skills Building

  • “It made me realize that I can manage the loss of strength in my right arm and may be able to manage the numbness and tingling.  I will be able to help myself.”
  • “Being on this study allowed me to do something for myself, really take care of myself and focus on being healthy.”
  • “It helped me realize that I had excess fluid.  My arms got lighter each time I did the exercises.  My arms began to feel less heavy.  It noticed it in my clothes as well.”
  • “It help me to understand more about all my symptoms, and how to manage them with the exercises.”

Perceived Ease

  • “This is a very easy study and the videos helped to complete the exercise.”
  • “I can repeat & review particular sections whenever and wherever I want.”
  • “I like the fact that I can go to the site at any time even when I travel.”
  • “The [lymphatic] exercise were easy and could be completed anywhere.  According to my measurements there was a decrease in fluid. That was good news.”
  • “The exercises were easy to do and remember. If I noticed my arm was more stiff than usual, I would do the exercises more and they helped.”
  • “It is not about whether I can do it (self-care) or I feel I can do it. The breathing and pumping exercises (daily lymphatic exercise) are easily to do and I feel better after doing them. So, I do it every day.”

Perceived Effectiveness

  • “I personally feel the exercise helped with the pain.”
  • “The exercises made my arm feel a lot better.”
  • “The exercise really helped increase my range of motion and was effective for decreasing my pain. I do the exercises every day.”
  • “The exercises definitely helped reduce pain and increase mobility.”
  • “The [lymphatic] exercise really helped increase my range of motion and was effective for decreasing my pain. I do the exercises every day.”
  • “The [lymphatic] exercise made my arm feel a lot better.”

Psychological Benefits: Fear and Anxiety Relief

  • “It afforded me the opportunity to feel better about myself. I was actually doing something to alleviate the anxiety about having symptoms and now I feel more in control of managing my physical and mental state.”

Enjoy Doing the Exercises

  • “I enjoyed the exercises!”
  • “The exercises that I have been doing in this study helped me to gain strength and mobility in the affected limb even after I stopped physical therapy. I also found the exercises fun and enjoyable.”