Post-operative massage improves the circulation of blood and lymphatic fluid throughout the body allowing for increased oxygenation of the body's tissues and organs and reduction of swelling and stiffness. It allows patients to heal faster and feel supported throughout their recovery.
Six weeks is the standard time massage therapists wait before working on or near post-operative incision sites.
A massage after surgery can help improve recovery. Surgery has many negative effects including pain, scarring and swelling that can slow down or prevent recovery. A massage helps to improve recovery by encouraging an increase in blood flow.
Some research shows massage therapy can help with inflammation and scar tissue, helping postoperative patients regain full range of motion without discomfort. A growing body of research supports the notion that massage therapy has much to offer postsurgical patients by easing their path toward healing.
A massage promotes the stimulation of the lymphatic system. Stimulating the lymphatic system increases the rate at which waste products are removed through the lymphatic flow. Removing waste products more efficiently from the body reduces swelling and increases muscle strength and health, therefore increasing healing.
The results confirm that massage therapy can reduce inflammation, if administered correctly through professional massage therapists, however, you may find that simply performing light exercise will reduce inflammation more effectively.
By stimulating the blood flow, massage assists the healing process of damaged tissues. Massage increases tissue permeability so that blood, oxygen and nutrients reach damaged areas to speed up the healing process.
Esthetic Kinesio Taping can increase the lymphatic drainage benefits of your treatments, to decrease bruising and swelling. As well as helping increase muscle tone when needed or to relax tissues when that is appropriate.
The best types of massage to improve recovery post-workout include a combination of sports massage, remedial, deep tissue and relaxation massage. Including these massage types in your post-workout routine will help to relieve pain and muscle tension, as well as provide therapeutic benefits to the mind.
Timing the massage as close to your last hard workout gives your body the most amount of time to recover and feel back to normal. If you plan on getting a massage before your next big race, schedule it at least 3-5 days from the race.
Doctors who know of PS-MLD and the benefits of such treatments will often suggest treatment by a well-trained PS-MLD therapist as soon as 3-days after surgery. However, some doctors suggest or even mandate patients wait from 2-6 weeks after surgery before receiving treatment.
Manual lymphatic drainage decreases the congestion of your body's tissues, allowing lymph to be directed where it needs to go even when your body is under stress. Ideally, you will start a lymphatic massage regimen within two weeks after your procedure.
What is a Post-Operative Massage? A post-operative massage is a gentle form of massage that increases blood flow and promotes recovery by targeting the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system helps process waste and absorbs fluids. After surgery, these fluids can harden, which is often painful.
Lymphatic drainage massage can help reduce swelling and fluid retention after cosmetic surgery, which will help expedite the healing process. This can help boost recovery time post surgery. It should be used in conjunction with compression garments post-surgery.
Massage and stretching are both helpful ways to keep your muscles relaxed, nimble, tension free from exercise or other training regimen and help with recovery after an injury or after pushing through to new a new plateau.
Massage therapy for trauma release is rarely a one-and-done treatment option. The body needs time and repetition to remember that it can let go of the trauma and move into optimal health. Most of the time, it's best to work with a trauma-informed mental health provider in conjunction with massage.
Water is the best way to flush out and aid the body in proper eradication of these toxins. It is generally recommended to drink between 1-1.5 litres of water after a treatment, depending on the time of day.
Looking After Your Lymphatic System
Drink plenty of water – Dehydration is one of the most common causes of lymphatic congestion which can further exacerbate existing lymph problems. Drinking sufficient water throughout the day encourages healthy lymphatic function and reduces water retention.
Extra fluid from tissue in the body drains into and flows through small lymph vessels. This fluid is filtered through the lymph nodes, and drains back into the bloodstream.
Can massage break down scar tissue? Yes. the body does not know how to arrange collagen cells after surgery or injury, causing them to clump together and lose their natural structure. Massage breaks them down and helps align the collagen fibers.
Scar tissue is broken down within a deep tissue massage. A deep, firm pressure is used during a deep tissue massage aiming to get deeper within muscle fibres and tissues. A deep tissue massage breaks down adhesions and collagen fibres that can be caused as a result of scar tissue.
Your body needs good food to fuel the healing process. Include foods rich in vitamin C in your diet. The body needs vitamin C to make collagen. Fresh fruits and vegetables eaten daily will also supply your body with other nutrients essential to wound healing such as vitamin A, copper and zinc.
Swelling can be reduced through remedial massage. A remedial massage is most commonly used to improve muscle condition and increase relaxation. After injury, trauma or surgery, the health a muscle decreases causing swelling to occur to prevent further damage.