Why should you invest in lymphatic massage pre and post surgery?
Lymphatic massage which is also known as manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) can relieve the tight, heavy feeling of swelling after a surgery.
The short message is; with lymphatic massage / MLD as part of your tool kit, this will help reduce your swelling and shorten your post surgical recovery time and get you back to normal, faster!
What can I treat?
For optimal results your body should be well prepared before surgery and should be nurtured following surgery to aid the healing process helping to regenerate damaged tissues, cut lymph vessels and heal any from the surgical incisions and localised trauma.
What do you need to plan for?
If you can, please book in for two or three treatments, prior to your surgery as this will help your body and lymphatic system to be prepared for the post surgical recovery lymphatic massage treatments plus this will help you to be more relaxed
Recommendations
1. Plan and book in your lymphatic massageĀ treatments as soon as possible after your surgery to reap the benefits
2. Budget for one to two x 60 minute treatments a week for around four to six weeks as a general guideline
3. Follow all your surgeon’s post surgical care instructions and wear your compression garment!
4. Plan for your support and recovery process
Outcomes of the Lymphatic Treatments
Notes:
1. Once healed we can also look at MSTR Treatments to further reduced the scarring and softening the affected area, if needed.
2. You may want to look at post-surgical recovery exercises, once approval given by your Surgeon / Specialist. Kathleen Lisson CLT has put together some a 6 Minute Post Surgical Work Out
What IS a post surgical lymphatic treatment?
A Lymphatic Massage / Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) is very gentle and rhythmical sequence. There is no “squeezing” out of the lymph. It is a hands-on treatment and you will be placed in a supported position on the massage couch so you can relax and enjoy the treatment.
Note: No oil or lotion is used and hands are with a light pressure in the direction of the lymphatic flow
Want to know more about the benefits of Lymphatic Massage / MLD?
This article from Macom who are a compression garment supplier in the UK, really articulates the benefits of post surgical lymphatic massage / drainage. They talk about the growing trend in the UK to have hands-on lymphatic treatments as part of patients recovery plan.
Credit for page content to Kathleen Lisson CLT, CMT.
To read her book on Plastic Surgery Recovery, order via this link or listen to this podcast for tips and tricks for recovery.