Which services can help:
Lymphatic Massage Can Help You Better Relieve Your Lymphedema Symptoms
You Can Live Life Comfortably with Osteopath, Acupunture and Registered Massage Therapy!
Lymphedema is a swelling disease that typically affects the upper or lower extremities due to an excessive buildup of lymph fluid.
People with these symptoms may be aware that they have lymphedema in some cases, but in others, the condition may need to be diagnosed.
The lymphatic system is an essential component of both your immune and circulatory systems. It is a network of vessels that transport lymph fluid to the core of the body. When that system is not functioning properly, lymphedema can develop.
Because the fluid cannot drain properly if your lymphatic system is blocked, you may experience swelling in your arms or legs. Improper drainage causes a buildup of lymph fluid in your arms and legs, which can be dangerous if left untreated.
Fortunately, if you are living with this, there is a safe way for you to manage your symptoms. We have several services in Downtown (Queen St West), Leslieville (Queen St East) and Kingsway (Etobicoke) that can help your Lymphedema at For Health’s Sake, including Registered Massage Therapy, Osteopath, Physiotherapy, and Acupuncture. Depending on your preference or perhaps insurance coverage each of these services will help your lymphedema.
Make an appointment with For Health’s Sake today and let us help you find the relief you deserve!
What’s the difference between primary and secondary lymphedema?
There are two categories of lymphedema: primary and secondary lymphedema.
Both of these conditions are difficult to deal with, but they occur for different reasons.
Primary Lymphedema
Primary lymphedema is either hereditary or develops on its own. The cause of primary lymphedema is not always apparent. Your primary care physician may want to take additional imaging tests to look at your lymphatic system and to rule out any potential conditions. These tests can include MRI scanning, CT scanning, Doppler ultrasound, or lymphoscintigraphy.
Secondary Lymphedema
Secondary lymphedema occurs as a result of a disease or disorder. It can also happen after a person is treated for cancer; oftentimes during surgical treatments, lymph nodes are weakened or removed entirely. Lymphedema can also be the product of a surgical procedure involving lymph nodes.
The most common causes of secondary lymphedema include:
- Radiation treatment for Cancer
- Infection
Symptoms of this typically occur in the arms and legs. Pain levels vary from moderate (noting slight changes or sensations in your limbs) to serious (noticing extreme changes or feelings in your limbs, to the point where they may be difficult to use).
Lymphedema can often take months or even years to develop as a result of cancer treatment.
The following symptoms of lymphedema are pretty common, and if you’re experiencing them, it’s important to contact a therapist as soon as possible:
- Restricted range of motion
- Heaviness/tightness
- Aching/discomfort
- Fibrosis
- Infections
- Swelling
What can lymphatic drainage massage do for lymphedema?
While there is no cure for lymphedema, these therapies are a safe and natural way to treat the symptoms.
Our Therapists are trained movement experts who can use a variety of strategies to alleviate your discomfort and teach you how to manage your symptoms at home.
When it comes to conditions that include persistent swelling, there are numerous complications to consider. These include circulatory problems, infections, and the possibility of injury.
Our Toronto & Etobicoke physiotherapists at For Health’s Sake will conduct a thorough review of your condition and develop a personalized treatment plan to treat your specific case of this.
Your treatment plan will be based on your physical exam, medical history, and the severity of your symptoms. Manual therapy and pain relief exercises will be the focus of lymphatic care plans.
Manual therapy may be used by physiotherapists or registered massage therapists to help manage your pain and symptoms. Manual lymphatic drainage is a type of manual therapy that is commonly used for lymphedema clients.
Manual lymphatic drainage helps lymph fluid flow to the upper and lower extremities. This can be supplemented with additional massages to improve circulation and promote relaxation.
One of our physiotherapists will design an exercise program for you that will include gentle muscle contractions to restore function and increase your range of motion. Exercise of the affected limb(s) frequently promotes lymph fluid drainage.
If you have lymphedema, you must seek treatment and follow up with your doctor and physiotherapist regularly to ensure that your condition does not worsen.
Wrapping, compression, or complete decongestive therapy may be added to your treatment plan as your physiotherapist deems appropriate.
We can help you manage your symptoms – contact us today
This may be interfering with your life right now, but it does not have to be that way indefinitely.
If you’re living with lymphedema and looking for relief, your journey begins right here.
To schedule an appointment at our Downtown (Queen St West), Leslieville (Queen St East) or Kingsway (Etobicoke) clinic, please call us at (416) 551-7100 or click here. For Health’s Sake can assist you in reducing the effects of your lymphedema and improving your quality of life!

Lex Posie
I am extremely interested in all things under the health and wellness umbrella. I love sharing what I know as well as learning new things from others. Using an outcome-based massage approach, I target specific areas of concern and treat clients as individuals. I understand people seek massage for a…
RMT - Downtown, Corporate Health
Katherine Poulis
After Graduating from the Massage Therapy Program at Sutherland Chan School and Teaching Clinic in 2001, I began my journey as a Registered Massage Therapist. With over 20 years of experience and thousands of treatment hours, I pride myself in maintaining an approach to treating the body as a whole.With…
RMT - Downtown
Maggie Keats
I have always been fascinated by the human body and how we function. Coupling that with a desire to help others is what made massage therapy a natural career choice for me. I graduated from the Massage Therapy program at Centennial College in 2000. After all these years of practice,…
RMT - Downtown
Kyla Onsy
Growing up in competitive dance, I had my fair share of injuries, and spent countless hours in clinics – which led me to my first job as a physio assistant 20 years ago. It was an easy choice to complete my Kinesiology degree through McMaster, and immediately continued my studies…
Corporate Health Owner / RMT - Downtown, Leslieville, Corporate Health
Katie White
Hi, I’m Katie! RMT and Co-Founder of For Health’s Sake! I grew up in a small beach town in Southern Ontario before moving to Toronto to start school and later my career. I always knew from a young age that I wanted to help people and work in health &…
Co-Founder / Clinic Owner / Corporate Health Owner / RMT - Downtown, Leslieville, Corporate Health
Chloë Tudor
I was born and raised in the beautiful coastal town of Lockeport, Nova Scotia where a sense of community is very strong. I have a thorough understanding of how the body works and an ability to problem solve through injury review and pain pattern analysis. Listening and empathizing with my…
Co-Founder / Clinic Owner / Corporate Health Owner / RMT - Downtown, Leslieville, Corporate Health
Megan Nishida
Hi, I’m Megan! With training in Acupuncture, Kinesiology, Hypnosis, and Spinal Energetics, I blend traditional and modern methods to help you feel more connected to your body. Acupuncture and Kinesiology – allow me to effectively address aches and pains. Specifically I enjoy treating head & face issues (migraines, TMJ, sinus,…
Registered Acupuncturist, R.Ac - Downtown, Leslieville
Ashley Clark
I have always had a long-standing passion for health and wellness. My journey in learning started in Philadelphia where I obtained a Bachelors of Science in Athletic Training, while competing as a varsity volleyball athlete. From there, I obtained a Masters of Osteopathic Manipulative Sciences over a four year, intensive…
Osteopathic Manual Practitioner, M.OMSc - Downtown, Leslieville
