Why is Post-Op Lymphatic Massage necessary?
Although surgery is considered a standard medical procedure the patient’s body does not see it so objectively. As far as our body is concerned a surgery is a major invasion and, as such, the body will respond to protect itself. One common response is swelling. The buildup of fluids (or swelling) is a result of the lymphatic system either being overly taxed or impaired. Fortunately, swelling can be drastically reduced through manual bodywork -specifically, lymphatic massage. Furthermore, clinical studies have shown that undergoing lymphatic massage significantly shortens patients’ recovery time.
Depending on the severity and location of the surgery, the number of needed sessions will vary. Some patients might need 4 to 6 weeks’ worth of lymphatic treatments to remove most of the excess fluid. Others, on the other hand, may only need one or two sessions. Luckily, for all patients, immediate relief is often found after the first session. Lymphatic massage also helps prevent and treat the formation of fibrosis (lumpy clumps of protein) which often form when normal lymphatic drainage is impaired.
Regardless of what the surgery may have initially addressed, lymphatic massage ensures you will achieve the best results possible from your procedure!
What is Lymphatic Massage, and how soon/often should I get it?
Lymphatic massage is a specialized massage technique that is recommended by surgeons to accelerate the recuperation period. Every patient is different, but most doctors advise their patients to begin their lymphatic massage 4 to 5 days after surgery to obtain the best, and fastest, results. A one-hour lymphatic massage is recommended once or twice weekly during the first month of recovery. After the first month, patient and practitioner will reassess to determine if continued treatment is necessary.
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