Skip to Content
800-533-8762
  • Careers
  • Newsroom
  • Health Care Professionals
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
UPMC
  • Find a Doctor
  • Services
    • Frequently Searched Services
    • Frequently Searched Services
      Allergy & Immunology Behavioral & Mental Health Cancer Ear, Nose & Throat Endocrinology Gastroenterology Heart & Vascular Imaging Neurosciences Orthopaedics
      Physical Rehabilitation Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery Primary Care Senior Services Sports Medicine Telemedicine Transplant Surgery Walk-In Care Weight Management Women’s Health
      See all Services
    • Services by Region
    • Find a UPMC health care facility close to you quickly by browsing by region.
      UPMC in Western Pa. Western Pa. and New York
      UPMC in Central Pa. Central Pa.
      UPMC in North Central Pa. North Central Pa.
      UPMC in Western Md. Maryland & West Virginia
    • See All Services
  • Locations
    • Locations by Type
    • Locations by Type
      UPMC hospitals
      Hospitals
      Physical Therapy
      Physical Therapy
      Urgent care
      Walk-In Care
      UPMC Outpatient Centers
      Outpatient Centers
      UPMC Imaging Services
      Imaging
      Community Health Centers
      Community Health Centers
      See All Locations
    • Locations by Region
    • Locations by Region
      UPMC in Southwest Pa. Southwest Pa.
      UPMC in North Central Pa. North Central Pa.
      UPMC in Northwest Pa and Ny. Northwest Pa. & Western N.Y.
      UPMC in West Central Pa. West Central Pa.
      UPMC in Central Pa. Central Pa.
      UPMC in Western Md. Maryland & West Virginia
    • See All Locations
  • Patients & Visitors
    • Patient & Visitor Resources
    • Patient & Visitor Resources
      Patients and Visitors Resources Pay a Bill Classes & Events Medical Records Health Library Patient Information
      Patient Portals Privacy Information Shared Decision Making Traveling Patients Visitor Information
      Man uses mobile phone
      Pay a Bill
      Nurse reviews medical chart
      Request Medical Records
  • Patient Portals
  • Find Covid-19 updates
  • Schedule an appointment
  • Request medical records
  • Pay a bill
  • Learn about financial assistance
  • Find classes & events
  • Send a patient an eCard
  • Make a donation
  • Volunteer
  • Read HealthBeat blog
  • Explore UPMC Careers
Skip to Content
UPMC
  • Patient Portals
  • For Patients & Visitors
    • Find a Doctor
    • Locations
    • Patient & Visitor Resources
    • Pay a Bill
    • Services
    • More
      • Medical Records
      • Financial Assistance
      • Classes & Events
      • HealthBeat Blog
      • Health Library
  • About UPMC
    • Why UPMC
    • Facts & Stats
    • Supply Chain Management
    • Community Commitment
    • More
      • Financials
      • Support UPMC
      • UPMC Apps
      • UPMC Enterprises
      • UPMC International
  • For Health Care Professionals
    • Physician Information
    • Resources
    • Education & Training
    • Departments
    • Credentialing
  • Careers
  • Contact Us
  • Newsroom
  • UPMC >
  • Our Services >
  • Rehabilitation >
  • ... >
  • Outpatient Physical, Occupational, and Speech Therapy >
  • Our Services >
  • Lymphedema Management
Outpatient Physical, Occupational, and Speech Therapy
About Us
Conditions We Treat
Our Services
Aquatic Therapy
Assistive Technology
Balance and Vestibular Rehabilitation
Back & Spine Physical Therapy
Blood Flow Restriction Rehabilitation
Facial Nerve Therapy
Golf Performance Program
Hand Therapy
Industrial Rehabilitation
Limb Loss Therapy
Lymphedema Management
Neurorehabilitation
Occupational Therapy
Oncology Rehabilitation
Pain Program
Pelvic Health Physical Therapy
Physical Therapy
Schroth Method for Scoliosis
Speech Therapy
Sports Performance
Sports Rehab
Temporomandibular Disorders Therapy
Our Locations
Patient Stories
Our Partners
Preparing for Your Visit
Join Our E-mail List
Residency Programs
Contact Us
Outpatient Physical, Occupational, and Speech Therapy
About Us
Conditions We Treat
Our Services
Aquatic Therapy
Assistive Technology
Balance and Vestibular Rehabilitation
Back & Spine Physical Therapy
Blood Flow Restriction Rehabilitation
Facial Nerve Therapy
Golf Performance Program
Hand Therapy
Industrial Rehabilitation
Limb Loss Therapy
Lymphedema Management
Neurorehabilitation
Occupational Therapy
Oncology Rehabilitation
Pain Program
Pelvic Health Physical Therapy
Physical Therapy
Schroth Method for Scoliosis
Speech Therapy
Sports Performance
Sports Rehab
Temporomandibular Disorders Therapy
Our Locations
Patient Stories
Our Partners
Preparing for Your Visit
Join Our E-mail List
Residency Programs
Contact Us

Chat Keywords List

  • cancel or exit: Stops your conversation
  • start over: Restarts your current scenario
  • help: Shows what this bot can do
  • terms: Shows terms of use and privacy statement
  • feedback: Give us feedback
Continue
Chat with UPMC
RESTART
MENU
CLOSE

Lymphedema Management and Treatment at UPMC Rehabilitation Institute

What Is Lymphedema?

Lymphedema is a condition in which swelling (edema) occurs from abnormal accumulation of protein-rich lymph fluid in the space between cells in the body.

Swelling develops in one (or both) of your arms and legs when a blockage occurs in the lymphatic system that prevents fluid from draining well, which results in swelling. Though there is no cure for lymphedema, our UPMC rehabilitation specialists will work with you to treat and manage your lymphedema.

What Causes Lymphedema?

The most common cause of lymphedema is damage to or the removal of lymph nodes due to cancer. In addition to damage or removal, the causes of fluid buildup may include:

  • Certain cancer medications (such as tamoxifen)
  • Radiation therapy
  • Obesity
  • Infection
  • Deficiency in the lymphatic system

What Are the Symptoms of Lymphedema?

Symptoms of lymphedema often include tightness of clothing, rings, or watches and a feeling of fullness around your arms and legs.

Lymphedema Treatment Options

There are various components to the treatment and management of lymphedema. Our highly trained therapists — many of whom are certified by the Lymphology Association of North America — are experts in the treatment of lymphedema, using the complete decongestive therapy method.

What is complete decongestive therapy for lymphedema?

Complete decongestive therapy (CDT) for lymphedema is a comprehensive program that combines the following listed treatments for a holistic approach to treat lymphedema. Two phases of this treatment include an active phase to bring your lymphedema under control followed by a maintenance phase.

Lymphedema management typically includes

  • Manual lymph drainage: Also known as lymphatic massage, manual lymph drainage is a specific, gentle technique that uses precise hand movements to increase fluid circulation throughout your body. Manual lymph drainage for lymphedema reduces swelling and pain often associated with swelling.
  • Compression bandaging: Compression bandaging (or wrapping) is performed by a trained therapist who wraps several layers of short stretch bandages and padding around the affected limb. Bandaging reduces the size of the limb through pressure and promotes an internal pumping action that pushes fluid back into the lymphatic system and out of your tissue.
  • Exercise: Exercise is an important component in the management of lymphedema. Under the supervision of a therapist you will gradually increase exercise for the affected limb. By slowly increasing activity, the affected limb becomes decongested and can handle greater levels of stress.
  • Self-Management: Self-management is the overarching term that describes everything you can do to manage your lymphedema at home. Therapists teach you how to apply bandages or compression wear and specific exercises to reduce the chance of your lymphedema returning to its pre-treatment form.

Read more about the experiences from patients who received lymphedema management services at UPMC.

Altoona Station Medical Center
814-889-3900
1516 9th Ave
Altoona, PA  16602

Beaver
724-728-4545
550 Corporation Street
Beaver, PA 15009

Bedford
814-623-3510
10455 Lincoln Highway
Everett, PA 15537

Chapel Harbor
412-781-0602
Park Place at Chapel Harbor,
Suite 200
300 Chapel Harbor Drive
Pittsburgh, PA 15238

Cranberry Township
724-720-3050
UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex
8000 Cranberry Springs Drive
Cranberry Township, PA 16066

Delmont
724-468-4541
Salem Place, Suite 100
6530 Route 22
Delmont, PA 15626  

Erie - West 26th Street
814-452-4447
2601 West 26th St.
Erie, PA 16506

Greenville
724-588-3001
25 Williamson Road, Suite 109
Greenville, PA 16125

Hermitage
724-347-6660
449 North Hermitage Road
Entrance B
Hermitage, PA 16148

McCandless
412-630-9750
9365 McKnight Road, Suite 300
Pittsburgh, PA 15237

Monroeville
412-692-9423
Corporate One Office Park 
Building One, Suite 200
4055 Monroeville Boulevard
Monroeville, PA 15146

Moon Township
412-269-7062
1600 Coraopolis Heights Road
Coraopolis, PA 15108

New Castle - Nesbitt Place
724-658-2801
26 Nesbitt Road, Suite 153
New Castle, PA 16105

North Strabane
724-229-5260
100 Adios Drive, Suite 1160
Washington, PA 15301

Oakland
412-692-4305
Kaufmann Medical Building
3471 Fifth Ave., Suite 1200A
Pittsburgh, PA 15213


Pleasant Hills
Phone: 412-894-1752
Fax: 412-653-0232

Southland Shopping Center
623-A Clairton Blvd.
Pittsburgh, PA 15236


Seneca
814-678-4656
100 Fairfield Drive
Seneca, PA 16346


Shadyside
412-665-8035
Centre Commons, Suite 450
5750 Centre Ave.
Pittsburgh, PA 15206


South Hills
412-851-8850
UPMC Outpatient Center, Entrance B, Suite 1400
1300 Oxford Drive
Bethel Park, PA 15102

Request an Appointment

Image of patient scheduling appointment on laptop. Appointment Request

Join Our E-mail List

Image of two patients walking. Subscribe
UPMC
200 Lothrop Street Pittsburgh, PA 15213

412-647-8762 800-533-8762

Patients And Visitors
  • Find a Doctor
  • Locations
  • Pay a Bill
  • Patient & Visitor Resources
  • Disabilities Resource Center
  • Services
  • Medical Records
  • No Surprises Act
  • Price Transparency
  • Financial Assistance
  • Classes & Events
  • Health Library
Health Care Professionals
  • Physician Information
  • Resources
  • Education & Training
  • Departments
  • Credentialing
Newsroom
  • Newsroom Home
  • Inside Life Changing Medicine Blog
  • News Releases
About
  • Why UPMC
  • Facts & Stats
  • Supply Chain Management
  • Community Commitment
  • Financials
  • Supporting UPMC
  • HealthBeat Blog
  • UPMC Apps
  • UPMC Enterprises
  • UPMC Health Plan
  • UPMC International
  • Nondiscrimination Policy
Life changing is...
Follow UPMC
  • Contact Us
  • Website/Email Terms of Use
  • Medical Advice Disclaimer
  • Privacy Information
  • Active Privacy Alerts
  • Sitemap
© 2025 UPMC I Affiliated with the University of Pittsburgh Schools of the Health Sciences Supplemental content provided by Healthwise, Incorporated. To learn more, visit healthwise.org
Find Care
Providers
Video Visit
Portal Login