World Lymphoedema Day 2026

Today is World Lymphoedema Day — a global day dedicated to raising awareness of lymphoedema and lymphatic diseases. This year, VASCERN is marking the day by challenging one of the most persistent misconceptions in lymphoedema care: that patients should avoid exercise.

What is lymphoedema?

Lymphoedema is a chronic condition in which lymphatic fluid builds up in body tissues, causing persistent swelling. It most commonly affects the arms or legs but can also involve the torso, neck, or other areas. The swelling occurs because the lymphatic system — part of our immune and circulatory systems — is not draining fluid properly.

Over time, lymphoedema can cause heaviness or tightness, reduced mobility, recurring infections such as cellulitis, and changes to the skin including thickening and hardening. Primary lymphoedema is caused by problems with the development of the lymphatic system and can appear at birth, during puberty, or later in life.

Despite affecting thousands of people across Europe, lymphoedema remains widely under-recognised. Many patients wait years for a correct diagnosis, and access to specialist care varies significantly across countries.

Physical activity and lymphoedema

For years, patients with lymphoedema were advised to limit physical activity — a recommendation that is no longer supported by the evidence. Current research shows that exercise is not only safe for lymphoedema patients but actively beneficial. Muscle contractions activate the lymphatic system, improve fluid transport, and can reduce oedema volume.

On 2 March 2026, VASCERN hosted a webinar on Physical Activity and Sport with Primary Lymphoedema, presented by Prof Nele Devoogdt (UZ Leuven), with a live Q&A featuring Dr Kirsten van Duinen (Nij Smellinghe Hospital) and patient advocate Manuela Lourenço Marques (andLINFA, Portugal). The webinar presented the latest scientific evidence and addressed practical questions from the patient community.

Q&A video series on physical activity and primary lymphoedema

To complement the webinar and mark World Lymphoedema Day, we have released a series of 8 short Q&A videos where Manuela Lourenço Marques puts real patient questions to Dr Kirsten van Duinen. Both are members of the VASCERN Pediatric and Primary Lymphedema Working Group (PPL-WG).

1. What exercise do you recommend for lymphoedema patients? Walking, swimming, and other activities that create muscle contractions help activate the lymphatic system. Swimming offers the additional benefit of water pressure supporting drainage. ▶ Watch

2. Can we do resistance exercises with lymphoedema? Yes. Research shows resistance training does not increase swelling — and can actually help reduce it. Any pain during exercise is often unrelated to the lymphoedema. ▶ Watch

3. Can we do HIIT with lymphoedema? High-intensity interval training is a safe option. Short bursts of intensive activity are not off-limits for lymphoedema patients. ▶ Watch

4. Are vibrating platforms good for lymphoedema? Not recommended. Vibrating platforms don’t create the muscle contractions needed to activate the lymphatic system, and prolonged standing works against lymphatic drainage. ▶ Watch

5. Are there exercises to avoid with lymphoedema? Static exercises like wall sitting or holding heavy objects for prolonged periods can allow oedema to accumulate. Dynamic movements that contract and relax the muscles are preferred. ▶ Watch

6. Do we need compression while exercising? Compression combined with muscle contractions boosts lymphatic transport. If your garments cause discomfort, lower-pressure options or supportive socks may be alternatives — but always monitor the effect. ▶ Watch

7. Can we exercise without compression? For mild lymphoedema, it may be possible — but patients should monitor carefully using pitting tests or circumference measurements. For moderate to severe lymphoedema, compression during exercise is recommended. ▶ Watch

8. How do we plan exercise into daily life? Start small — take the stairs, walk during lunch, do stretches in the kitchen. The key is to build movement into your routine and find activities you enjoy. ▶ Watch

VASCERN’s role in lymphoedema Care

Within VASCERN, the Pediatric and Primary Lymphedema Working Group (PPL-WG) brings together dermatologists, vascular surgeons, geneticists, physiotherapists, and patient advocates from across Europe to improve diagnosis, treatment, and research for lymphoedema patients.

The PPL-WG works in close partnership with the European Patient Advocacy Group (ePAG) for PPL, ensuring that patient perspectives directly inform VASCERN’s priorities and outputs.

Resources for patients and healthcare professionals

VASCERN has developed several resources to support the management of lymphoedema:

Do’s and Don’ts factsheets: Expert recommendations for both healthcare professionals and patients, covering skincare, compression, and daily management. Available in multiple EU languages.
Patient pathway: A structured guide covering the management of primary lymphoedema from diagnosis to follow-up care.
Cellulitis flowchart: A practical tool for recognising and managing cellulitis in lymphoedema, available in 10 languages.
Training and educational resources: Recorded expert sessions, short videos, and patient testimonials on lymphoedema management, including infections, genetics, pregnancy, and physical activity.

About world lymphoedema day

World Lymphoedema Day, observed on 6 March each year, was established in 2016 through the efforts of the Lymphatic Education & Research Network (LE&RN) and supporting patient communities. It was officially recognised by the United States Senate and is now observed internationally.

March is also recognised as Lymphoedema Awareness Month. Together, these initiatives aim to make lymphatic diseases a global health priority by educating the public and medical community, reducing stigma, and driving progress in research and policy.

How you can help

Share this page with someone who lives with lymphoedema or cares for someone who does
Follow VASCERN on LinkedIn, Facebook, Bluesky, and YouTube
Watch and share our Q&A video series and webinar replay
Connect with national and international lymphoedema patient organisations including many in VASCERN to support advocacy efforts