How to Find the BEST Lymphedema and Post-op Cancer Care by Erin Dean, PT, DPT, CLT-LANA
Time and time again, patients have told me that they wish they had known more about the risks for developing lymphedema and other complications after cancer treatment. Months or even years later, with visible swelling after lymph node removal or radiation, with chronic low back pain after DIEP flap surgery, or with rotator cuff (shoulder joint) injury from postural changes after months or years of tightness in the chest, patients feel bad enough to self-advocate for a referral to physical therapy. From there, they are often sent to clinics that claim their therapists “treat lymphedema,” or “treat cancer patients,” but very few of these PT’s are specifically trained in treating patients with cancer and fewer are trained to treat lymphedema effectively.
So how can the therapists at Cancer Rehab and Integrative Medicine (aka CRIM) help? We are LANA-Certified Lymphedema Therapists (CLTs) trained at the highest level to perform complete decongestive therapy. “Complete decongestive therapy, the gold standard lymphedema treatment, aims to restore the affected limb to normal or near-normal size by optimizing healthy lymphatic pathways.” (1) We are also Certified Oncology Rehab Therapists through an institute called PORi, and we help you with specific exercises and movements along with our manual therapy techniques to get you back to our best self as quickly as possible. There are only a handful of CLTs in Austin, fewer who are LANA certified, and those who are CLTs usually have months-long waitlists to see new patients.
It can be incredibly helpful to come to CRIM for an initial consult:
Either before your breast cancer surgery or starting about 3 weeks after
Before or during the treatment of any colorectal or gynecological cancer
With radiation or removal of lymph nodes anywhere in the body
With any lingering swelling
We can help you move as quickly and safely as possible, working to get back to or close to your normal range of motion and strength while also addressing any other side effects from the surgery, including axillary cording and tightening of scar tissue. We can also help in the prevention and treatment of lymphedema. We’ve treated hundreds of patients who came to see us early in their cancer journey and they are always so thankful that they did not wait.
Tip: If you’re already dealing with lymphedema or you’d like to learn a little about preventing it, one way is through gentle exercise, progressing weight and resistance slowly as you get stronger without increasing your swelling. The stronger and more flexible your muscles get, the more normal functional activities you’ll be able to tolerate without worsening your swelling. These videos walk you through a set of exercises that are a great first step in treating your lymphedema.
Decongestive exercises for lower body lymphedema:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fg7zm7AuoHw
Decongestive exercises for upper body lymphedema:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X8ZVWlhhXks
References:
1. Mahmut, B. Lymphedema After Breast Cancer: Addressing Barriers and Building Strategies to Improve Long-Term Self-Management. Accc-cancerorg. 2025;40(4). Accessed January 7, 2026. https://journals.accc-cancer.org/view/lymphedema-after- breast-cancer-addressing-barriers-and-building-strategies-to-improve-long-term-self- management.
Author: Dr. Erin Dean PT, DPT, CLT-LANA
Doctorate of Physical Therapy, Certified Lymphedema Therapist. Lymphology Association of North America Certified
Learn more about Erin here: https://www.cancerrehabaustin.com/dr-erin-dean