Massage before and after surgery can benefit your lymphatic system and overall healing.
- Before your surgery, MLD can help prepare your lymphatic system for the surge of inflammatory fluid that is coming.
- After your surgery, MLD helps manage swelling and fibrosis, ease pain, and promote tissue regeneration.
Let’s explore how manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) assits all this and more!
How does lymphatic massage work?
The lymphatic system removes cellular waste and fluid (lymph) from the body. The lymphatic vessel valves typically contract about five times per minute at rest. After a lymphatic massage, studies show that valve contraction increases to 20 to 30 times a minute, moving more lymph out of the body’s tissues.
MLD helps redirect fluid to viable lymph nodes, which is important with node removal surgery and managing lymphedema.
What techniques are used during lymphatic massage?
Depending on your specific treatment plan, I may use a combination of techniques, including:
- Lymphatic massage
- Deeper massage techniques
- Myofascial release
- Lymphatic taping
- Stretching
- Joint movement
What surgeries benefit from lymphatic massage?
- Plastic, cosmetic, and reconstructive surgery
- Dental surgery
- Lymph node dissection
- Knee and hip replacement
- Neurosurgery
- Vascular surgeries
- Orthopedic surgery
- Mastectomy and lumpectomy
The body will naturally heal itself, but a lymphatic massage supports it to perform optimally.
Can lymphatic massage help after mastectomy surgery?
After surgery, you might feel emotionally and physically slightly off. Restricted sleeping positions, limited shoulder mobility, low energy, swelling, and pain around the incisional sites are typical concerns post-op. MLD also helps soften scar tissue, hopefully resulting in a flat scar, and addresses axillary web cording.
Traditional and lymphatic massage can help keep your system working optimally by supporting healing.
Wrapping up
Lymphatic massage before and after surgery can promote healing, reduce pain and inflammation, and improve overall tissue health. If you are planning to undergo or have recently had surgery, consider booking a lymphatic massage to help optimize your recovery.
Maximize Your Recovery Potential: Book an MLD Session Today
MLD can be a valuable tool in supporting your body’s natural healing mechanisms with many potential benefits. Don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment and start experiencing the benefits of lymphatic massage!