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Specializing in products for lymphatic, vascular disorders, and soft tissue injuries

1.800.876.3563
559 East High Street, Suite #1
Pottstown, PA 19464
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Lymphedema Self-Care and Compression Pump Tips

Lymphedema Self-Care & Compression Pump Tips

Practical guidance from Advanced Rehab Technologies covering winter skin care, safe activity, compression support, documentation, and basic equipment troubleshooting.

Amy Likens, Certified Lymphedema Therapist
Featured Care Tip

Cold air, low humidity, indoor heating, and heavy clothing can make skin dry or irritated. Because skin injury and infection can worsen lymphedema, consistent skin care is especially important during colder months.

Moisturize regularly, use warm rather than very hot water, protect the skin from cold and wind, avoid heating pads or hot-water bottles on the affected area, and check the skin for cracks, redness, warmth, or other changes.

Compression garments should fit comfortably without rolling, pinching, numbness, or new skin marks. Contact the prescribing clinician or garment fitter if winter clothing or changes in swelling affect the fit.

Amy Likens, CLT Certified Lymphedema Therapist
Medical information notice

These tips provide general education and do not replace an individualized plan from a physician or certified lymphedema therapist. Seek medical advice for new or worsening symptoms.

Daily Care

Practical Skin and Compression Reminders

Small, consistent habits can protect the skin, support treatment, and help identify changes that need professional attention.

Moisturize consistently

Use a fragrance-free, pH-balanced moisturizer to help prevent dryness and cracking. Apply it after gently washing and drying the skin, but avoid putting lotion directly under a compression garment immediately before wearing it unless your clinician or garment instructions say it is appropriate.

Protect skin from cold and injury

Wear warm, non-restrictive clothing and gloves when appropriate. Avoid tight bands, rough seams, scratches, burns, insect bites, and other injuries that may damage the skin barrier.

Use gentle bathing habits

Choose warm rather than very hot water, use a mild cleanser, pat the skin dry, and pay attention to skin folds and spaces between the fingers or toes.

Inspect the skin every day

Look for new redness, warmth, tenderness, swelling, cracks, drainage, or other changes. Use a mirror or ask for help when an area is difficult to see.

Care for garments and wraps

Wear only properly fitted compression products and follow their cleaning and replacement instructions. Contact your fitter or clinician if the garment rolls, digs into the skin, causes numbness, or no longer fits correctly.

Stay active and hydrated

Regular movement supports overall health and lymph flow. Begin gradually, monitor the affected area, and follow an exercise and hydration plan that is appropriate for your health conditions.

Healthy Routines

Skin Care, Activity, and Elevation

Your treatment plan should be individualized according to the affected area, stage of lymphedema, other health conditions, and clinician guidance.

Skin and Nail Care Checklist

  • Cleanse, dry, moisturize, and inspect the skin daily.
  • Wear properly fitting shoes, clothing, compression garments, and jewelry.
  • Use sunscreen, protective clothing, gloves, and insect repellent when appropriate.
  • Use care with nail trimming; seek podiatry or other qualified nail care when needed.
  • Clean minor cuts or abrasions promptly and follow your clinician’s wound-care advice.
  • Contact a clinician promptly for spreading redness, warmth, increasing pain, fever, or other signs of infection.
  • When practical, ask whether blood pressure measurements, blood draws, injections, or similar procedures can use an unaffected area; do not delay urgent treatment or medically recommended vaccination.
Watch for cellulitis

Contact a healthcare professional promptly if the affected area becomes increasingly red, warm, painful, tender, or swollen, especially when accompanied by fever or feeling unwell.

Activity and Exercise Examples

Physical activity can support lymph flow, mobility, strength, and cardiovascular health. Start gradually and adjust the activity if the affected area becomes painful, unusually heavy, or more swollen.

  • Walking at a comfortable pace, with the prescribed compression garment when recommended.
  • Swimming or water exercise when the skin is intact and the water temperature is appropriate.
  • Easy cycling or a recumbent bicycle when approved for the affected area and overall health.
  • Gentle mobility, stretching, breathing exercises, or modified yoga.
  • Progressive strengthening that begins slowly and is adjusted if symptoms increase.
Elevation should be comfortable and safe

When recommended, support the affected limb while resting without creating pressure points behind the knee, under the heel, or elsewhere. A pillow or properly adjusted bed may be used according to clinician guidance. Elevation does not replace prescribed compression or exercise.

Insurance Documentation

Documenting Conservative Treatment and Medical Need

Insurers may require medical records showing the diagnosis, severity, symptoms, measurements, previous treatment, and the reason a pneumatic compression device is medically necessary. Coverage requirements vary by insurer and prescribed device.

  • Diagnosis, cause, affected body area, symptoms, and objective findings.
  • Compression garments or bandaging that were tried, including fit and tolerance.
  • Exercise, movement, elevation, skin care, and other conservative treatment.
  • Dates and duration of treatment and the patient’s response.
  • Why a treatment could not be used or tolerated, when applicable.
  • The patient’s or caregiver’s ability to apply and operate the prescribed device.
View Compression Pumps Physician Information
Equipment Support

Basic Compression Pump Connection Checks

Use these visual checks only for equipment that matches the pictures and instructions supplied with your device. Connector designs vary.

Compression pump connector bar and hose connection

Garment is not filling with air

Turn the pump off and inspect the garment tubing and connector for obvious kinks, loose fittings, or a connector bar that is not fully seated. Reconnect only as shown in the device instructions.

Do not force a connector. Contact the equipment supplier if a hose, connector nipple, clip, pin, or connector bar appears cracked or broken.

Bio Compression connector pins shown in the open position

Open connector-pin position

On compatible Bio Compression connectors, begin with the pins in the open position. Align the connector according to the pump and garment labels or chamber numbers shown in the manufacturer’s instructions.

Connector systems differ by product. Do not use these steps on an unfamiliar pump or garment.

Bio Compression connector pins shown in the closed position

Secure connector-pin position

Once the compatible connector is correctly aligned and fully inserted, secure it using the method described in the device manual. Avoid unnecessary repeated removal because excessive handling may damage the connector.

If the connection remains loose or the pump displays an error, stop use and contact Advanced Rehab Technologies or the manufacturer.

Stop and request support when a part is damaged

Do not use tape, glue, improvised fittings, or unauthorized replacement parts on medical equipment. Do not open or repair the pump housing. Disconnect the unit and contact the supplier when electrical damage, unusual noise, overheating, leaking, broken tubing, or a damaged connector is present.

Need Help With a Compression Pump or Garment?

Our team can help with equipment questions, garment connections, referrals, documentation, and insurance-verification steps.

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