POST-SURGERY REHAB MASSAGE

How Massage Therapy Can Benefit You Post-Surgery

Post-surgery patients benefit from massage therapy in many ways such as, reducing contractures, relaxing muscles which have become tight and are guarding due to the trauma of the surgery. Massage helps the laying down of collagen substructures which cause scar tissues around the incision and surrounding tissues.

There is no set time for the healing of surgeries (or injuries, for that matter). It all depends on what the surgery was for, where the incision is, and how large and deep it is. For something as major like heart surgery, it would definitely be longer than 6 weeks. For minor surgery, with smaller incisions, the therapist should just avoid the area of the incision and massage around the incision, to the comfort of the client.

Orthopedic Massage (including the deep tissue, myofascial release, and cross fiber friction modalities), is a great way to release adhesions. To massage the incision area (medium incisions- 1 inch to 3 inches), it is good to wait approximately for 6 weeks. If the scar has fully formed, the therapist should try light pressure around the site. There should be strong communication between the client and the therapist. The Therapist needs to stop at any discomfort, and slowly increase the depth if it is comfortable. If the Therapist is ever unsure, it is always recommended to get the doctor's perspective first.

There is always increased swelling, reduced flexibility and stiffness following surgery. The incision site and the underlying adhesions to muscle tissue and fascia because of tension, displacement, and cutting/suturing create scar tissue. It is vital that that incision site and joints be massaged after seven days of healing. Of course, pressure and intensity of massage needs to be light at first and then increased with time, helping to reduce swelling, redness, and pain.

It is VERY IMPORTANT for post-surgery patients to seek massage therapy immediately in order for them not to suffer needlessly in pain for months and years because of untreated contractures, muscle adhesions, guarding muscles and scar tissues and its resulting consequences of reduced range of motion. Orthopedic massage has been scientifically proven to assist in solving these type of post-surgery issues.

Orthopedic Massage therapy helps post-surgery patients in reducing their post-surgery trauma, pain, and assists in improving the mobility and flexibility of tissue and joints.