Laser Therapy for Lyphedema

[forher]

I re-started see a lymphedema specialist and she is using laser therapy to help my lymphedema and to break up the scar tissue. I had a BMX and radiation on the treated side. But my onc said she does not want the lymphedema specialist to use laser therapy. Only massages.
Does anyone have experience with laser therapy or knowledge about it?

[Pat94]

My lymphedema OT works closely with my radiation onc to determine my treatments. She used the laser on me once to break up an area that was "webbing." All the other times she just massages. I don't know why the laser isn't used more often. The laser caused no pain while it was in use but I was very sore for a few days afterwards. I don't know whether it was from the laser treatment or the massage. I think you should ask your onc why he doesn't want it used.

[snolan]

I haven't heard of using laser therapy as a treatment for lymphedema. Speaking as a physical therapist assistant laser therapy is a form of modality typically used in treatment of tendinitis and bone healing. When looking at the text book it doesn't stand strong due to inconsistencies of the studies done with them. Usually with all modalities cancer is a contraindication. Any modality that can change the cell metabolism researchers are not sure how it would effect a cancer cell so they tend to stay away from them. The FDA acceptable laser used in therapy does not produce heat so I am unsure how it would effect scar tissue, it may change cells ability to absorb or move fluid but if it had that effect what if there was a cancer cell in there somewhere? There is no way to know how it would effect it. That is probably why your Dr says to stay away. I would ask your therapist where she got that treatment protocol and look at the studies as it would relate to the effect on cancer cells. If she doesn't have any or you can't find any its better to stay away.
Suzanne

[snolan]

I checked with a friend of mine who specializes in lymphadema and she say Japan uses it for lymphadema and some in the US.