Exercise is important. However, if the affected limb begins to ache or feels tired, rest it immediately, and elevate it if possible. Never do anything to exhaustion. Drink lots of water. If you have swelling of a limb that never goes away and seems to get worse, make sure that you are evaluated by a lymphedema specialist and get treatment.
Many physicians call all swelling lymphedema.
The earliest treatment that will be suggested is to elevate the limb, wear a support stocking and maybe use a compression pump. These treatments are either non-effective or actually counter indicated if you have lymphedema. The founders of this therapy insist that it will only work if all parts of the program are followed religiously but this would be impossible for many RSD patients. My own expedience showed that the most important and most effective part of CDT is the compression bandages. I know that you are questioning how an RSD sufferer who has trouble tolerating the slightest touch can where a compression bandage.