Massage after Surgery

Posted June 5, 2023

Massage after surgery. Is it a good idea? Yes.

There’s a lot of places that offer post-surgery massage. The questions you should consider are they practicing safely and ethically?

When searching for these services here’s a list of relevant questions and a screening script that I’ve created for you. Ask the provider…

Screening questions

1. Are you experienced in manual lymphatic drainage?
2. Which type of surgeries have you worked with in the past?
3.Do you use your hands or a machine?
4. What is your opinion on incision drainage?

The top two surgery types are cosmetic and orthopedic. For example a breast impant being removed vs. a rotator cuff surgery. After any surgery, there is significant swelling and pain.
This is where licensed and experienced massage therapists can help reduce those symptoms to speed up the healing process.

The recovery after any surgery should be taken seriously. Here are some of the benefits of manual or massage therapy after your surgery

reduce fluid swelling. release scar tissue, improve range of motion in joints, decrease pain from swelling and gas, increase recovery time, gas reduction (gastric/bariatric surgeries)

You want to get back to your regualr day to day routine after a surgery and post-surgery massage can help with that but you need a provider with specific training and experience. There are many unique factors that occur after a person has surgery.

Warning
Surgery makes you very vulnerable and sadly, there are some unethical providers will open an incision and drain an area. This is illegal and highly dangerous. Massage therapists are not licensed and trained to work with open wounds or bodily fluids in most states within the U.S.. This is outside of our scope of practice.

One of the best techniques for post-surgery recovery include manual lymphatic drainage (using hands) and scar tissue release
If your surgeon does not feel you are ready for traditional massage for your muscles and tendons and prefers light work then these two techniques mentioned above will help.

Michelle

Michelle is a writer, speaker, licensed massage therapist and esthetician. Her mission is to educate the public on the value of therapeutic massage. She has been practicing professionally since 1997 and is certified in neuromuscular and clinical bodywork. Her specialties include supporting women's health and treating orthopedic injuries.