Pre-and Post Surgery Massage a Feel-Good Do Good Addition to Surgery Recovery
What if I told you that there is an activity that you can participate in prior to surgery to reduce some of the negative effects of surgery and you more than likely would enjoy it? AND it is just under your fingertips. To be totally correct it is under my fingertips; it is a massage. Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) technique to be exact. There are many benefits that can result in pre-surgery MLD. It starts to prepare of tissues for surgery. It reduces swelling if swelling is evident before surgery. This will allow surgery to be scheduled sooner. Stimulates immune response. And sometimes most importantly it Promotes relaxation. Massage in general supports the reduction of anxiety and tension.
One to three treatments prior to surgery is recommended.
Postoperative massage may start as soon as 24 hours after surgery. This is based on doctor’s recommendation. And most doctors do recommend postoperative massage. Benefits Include:
- Reduces swelling
- Encourages lymphatic re-routes
- Reduces pain
- Removes cellular debris i.e. dead blood cells from tissues
- Reverses build-up of toxins secondary to effects of postop medication
- Stimulates fluid circulation
- Stimulates immune cell circulation
- Improves skin regeneration and wound healing
- Speeds up the healing process meaning patients return to normal activities sooner
Massage is a good addition to Pre-and Post surgery recovery. Talk to your doctor and find a Certified Medical Massage Practitioner (CMMP)
By Lorraine Ross CMMP LMT BCTMB
