Recovering from any type of surgical procedure can be tough on the body. Whether you have a cosmetic procedure like a tummy tuck or you have a skin cancer lesion removed, your body will need time to heal. Many people don’t think about massage therapy as a natural post-operative procedure when it comes to recovery but here are some reasons post-operative massage can benefit you on your journey to healing.
Particularly after a cosmetic or plastic surgery procedure, the body experiences pain in the underlying tissue, muscles and even joints. There are several types of post-surgical massage therapy depending on the type of surgery performed but here we’re going to focus on post-operative lymphatic massage.
This method of massage therapy activates the lymph nodes and improves the flow of lymphatic fluid throughout the body. You can typically begin post-operative lymphatic massage one week following surgery but check with your physician for all recommendations and make sure you share any concerns with your massage therapist as well. They will do a full health history before beginning the massage.
Some of the possible benefits of post-op lymphatic drainage massage include:
- Scar tissue formation is lessened
- Bruising disappears after just a few days
- Healing time is significantly decreased
- Pain is diminished and inflammation is reduced
- Skin becomes more flexible
- Immune system is supported by the stimulation of the central nervous system
- As with other massage techniques, endorphins are released that promote further pain relief and relaxation.
As mentioned, you should always talk to your physician and your massage therapist to make sure you are a great candidate for this type of massage. While it is helpful to many, it may not be suitable for all, especially if you have an acute infection, low blood pressure, thrombosis, or hyperthyroidism, among others, that could cause further complications.
So, do consider massage therapy as a post-surgery option. It just might be the healing technique you need for your journey to better health.
