Lymphatic Drainage Massage After Surgery

Lymphatic Drainage Massage After Surgery

After certain medical procedures or surgeries, many people experience swelling. Often, this is uncomfortable and even painful. Luckily, there is an easy, natural way to help alleviate the swelling and pain in the form of a lymphatic massage!

What is a lymphatic massage?

A lymphatic massage, also known as a lymphatic drainage massage or manual lymphatic drainage, is a gentle massage designed to combat lymphedema. Lymphedema happens when lymph fluid drains into the soft tissues of your body, often the arms and legs, instead of returning to the bloodstream the way it should. A lymphatic massage encourages that fluid to return to your lymph nodes so it can drain properly through gentle manipulation of specific areas of your body. This moves lymph to an area with working lymph vessels and eases the swelling and pain in your tissues and limbs.

When might I need a lymphatic massage?

Lymphedema often affects people that have had surgeries or cancer treatments. Breast cancer surgeries and mastectomies can increase the risk of lymphedema, as well as treatments for other types of cancer. Some individuals experience lymphedema due to trauma, infection, cardiac impairments, kidney disease, and more.

If you’ve recently undergone plastic surgery such as a tummy tuck, liposuction, or a mommy makeover, you may also be at risk for lymphedema. Lymphatic drainage massages can help to accelerate the recovery period for surgeries of this kind. Lymphatic massages can also help with other medical conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis, chronic venous insufficiency, and fibromyalgia.

Any condition or surgery that causes damage to the lymphatic system, or the removal of lymph nodes, can cause lymphedema. If the lymph isn’t moving through your body correctly for any reason, excess fluid builds up causing edema and creating a puffy area that looks and feels uncomfortable.

How does a lymphatic massage work?

Your trained massage therapist will manually massage your body to push the lymph through the body. This will break up the areas of swelling and reduce excess fluid. [this will] help to “restart” the lymphatic system and help it move fluid better on its own again.

Lymphatic Massage is great after cosmetic surgery. Because of the fluid buildup and swelling from white blood cells rushing to nourish the area, these massages can really help you heal quickly and comfortably. Body procedures like tummy tucks and liposuction can cause swelling when excess fluid and fat cells harden in the first few weeks after surgery. Using a lymphatic massage to help the body drain excess waste and fluid will reduce scar formation and improve skin quality, as well as promote the most efficient healing process. If you want to reduce scar formation, remove excess water and metabolic waste from body tissues, and heal quickly after illness, injury, or surgery, look into getting a lymphatic massage!