Self-Management Tips for Head and Neck Lymphoedema - Lymphoedema Awareness Week 2022

As part of the LWO Community and PhysioPod Joint Campaign, we asked expert Christine Talbot, Lymphoedema and Bowen Practitioner, to provide us with her top tips to self manage head and neck Lymphoedema... We were delighted that she also included some "out of the box" tips too... Thank you so much Christine.

Suggested Movements 

'Over the years, I have added a number of movements/exercises which I advise my clients to try. Ideally these should be performed with the assistance of a partner or supportive other. These include a mixture from my training in Indian Head Massage, Bowen Therapy and Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD).

N.B. In the first instance, it's important to assess full range of motion throughout the body to the lower trunk and also to bear in mind that those living with head and neck Lymphoedema can get fatigued very easily, breathing might be a problem, raising arms might be a problem, so I recommend that the majority of these exercises should be completed with a supportive other.

Please also note that some of my suggested exercises are demonstrated very comprehensively in the Danielle Collins yoga video below. 

If possible, facial mobilisation (facial yoga) should be done every day.

I have also made the following video to demonstrate some of my key tips for movement and an extended list of my recommendations follows the video. It is important to start gradually and build it up. Many people are surprised, that very quickly, they can make the moves that they never dreamed they could do.

1. Eye exercises, pressure points from the bridge of the nose to the forehead.
2. Scalp Lifts: perform scalp lifts to help relieve pressure all around the head
3. Hair Tugs: gentle hair tugs all over the head, particularly over the crown which can feel very tight.
4. Two finger vibrations: using one hand to support the head, use the other hand to do two finger massages all over the scalp and behind the ears, swap hands to do other side. Two finger vibrations from the Occiput incorporating the trapezius and lavator scapulae muscles releasing severe tension and radiating pain and stiffness into and across the shoulders and down the upper and middle part of the back. This may help to free up the scapula and reduce deep scapula related pain and associated headaches. 
5. Ear lobe movements: to ease ear aches and relieve congestion, pull the ear out from the ear lobe and forward to drain down the neck, repeat both sides.
6. Ear Pinching: soothe by gently pinching the ear around the outside.  To drain the ear, place an index finger in the soft spot behind the ear lobe, push up and roll back down. Repeat both sides to balance.
7. Temporal massage at the top of the ear, doing half circles backwards to relieve upper face, eye and ear pain. 
8. Tongue stretching: putting the tongue in and out of the mouth, moving the tongue around from side to side, around up and over the teeth, pushing into the cheeks and the gums and roof of the mouth to help drain the soft tissue, if this is difficult, these areas can be drained using an index finger, or the back of a toothbrush.  
9. Neck and shoulders tension and stiffness:- chin to chest tilts to centre and either shoulder, rolling chin from side to side. The larynx (voice box) if still insitu can be gently rocked from side-to-side with index finger, this might help with speech. 
10. Punches: forward punch, forward punch with thumb turned downwards, upper cuts, trunk twists - to work muscles groups and assist breathing
11. Other shoulder exercises, shrugs, rotations, arm raises

Cheeky Wipes

To mop up excess salivation or nasal drips use a small towelling square called a 'Cheeky Wipe', available from cheekywipes.com, originally an eco-idea to replace baby wipes.

Organic Oils

Softening scars using Argan or Rio Rosa organic oils, these oils contain vitamins to feed and nourish the area relieving scar related stiffness.

"Outside of the Box" Tips

Blowing Bubbles from a children's tin

Jade facial massager and jade roller, helps stretch the skin and feels good working around the bone contours, can be cooled in the fridge prior to use.

Facial massager with round head, aids blood flow and facial improvement through self touch and management.

Water Pick for dental hygiene and rehydrating the soft tissues of the mouth, can add mouthwash and if the mouth is very acidic, dissolve half a teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda in warm water in the Water Pick, this helps neutralise acid.

Hair brushing to aid circulation to the scalp and encourage arm and shoulder mobility.

Singing helps and is fun if you are able, especially in the company of others

Good luck everybody.

Christine xx