Treatment theres no cure for lymphedema treatment focuses on reducing the swelling and controlling the pain lymphedema treatments include exercises light exercises in which you move your affected limb may encourage lymph fluid drainage and help prepare you for everyday tasks such as carrying groceries. Treatment complex decongestive therapy cdt cdt is still considered the international standard of care for lymphedema treatment and consists of two phases reductive and maintenance cdt strives to increase lymph drainage to decrease swelling discomfort fibrosis and risk of cellulitis and to improve functional status and quality of life. Treatment the basic treatment for lymphedema includes elevating the affected limb doing exercises to help reduce swelling keeping the affected limb clean and dry and periodically applying lubricating lotions if lymphedema affects your legs avoid wearing socks with tight bands across the top avoid standing for long periods. Diagnosis of lymphedema is made clinically nevertheless there are numerous diagnostic tools available for disease staging recently a new technology namely magnetic resonance lymphangiography