BALANCED HEALTH 
Wellness Center

What is Post-Surgical Massage?

Post-surgical massage is a specialized, therapeutic approach designed to support and enhance the body's natural healing process after an operation. It is not a general wellness massage but a carefully targeted treatment, administered by a therapist trained in surgical recovery protocols.

The goal is to help you navigate the challenges of recovery with greater comfort, reduce the risk of complications, and ultimately, get you back to your life faster.
 

The Benefits: Why Your Recovery Needs This

After surgery, your body faces several hurdles: inflammation, scar tissue formation, pain, and reduced mobility. Our post-surgical treatments are scientifically designed to address these issues directly.

• Accelerate Healing: Increases blood circulation, delivering vital oxygen and nutrients to the healing tissues.

• Reduce Swelling & Inflammation: Gently encourages the drainage of excess fluid (edema) to decrease puffiness and pressure.

• Minimize Scar Tissue: Breaks down and softens adhesions, improving the flexibility and appearance of scar tissue.

• Alleviate Pain: Eases discomfort by relieving muscle spasms and tension held in surrounding areas.

• Restore Range of Motion: Helps overcome stiffness, allowing you to move more freely and confidently.

• Shorten Recovery Time: By addressing these factors holistically, many clients experience a significantly smoother and faster recovery.
   

Common Procedures We Support

Our therapists have experience working with clients recovering from a wide range of surgeries, including:

• Mastectomy: Lumpectomy, Expanders, Reconstructive Surgeries, Axillary Node Dissections

• Orthopedic Surgeries: Joint Replacements (Hip, Knee), ACL Reconstruction, Rotator Cuff Repair, Carpal Tunnel Release

• Gender-Affirming Top Surgeries

• Cosmetic & Elective Surgeries: Breast Augmentation or Reduction, Breast Lifts, Tummy Tuck

• Spinal Surgeries: Laminectomy, Spinal Fusion
   

What to Expect: A Safe, Collaborative Approach

Your safety is our absolute priority. Every step is taken in careful consideration of your specific procedure and healing stage.

1. Doctor's Clearance is Required: We will not begin treatment without written clearance from your surgeon or doctor to ensure it is safe to proceed.

2. In-Depth Consultation: We review your surgical procedure, current symptoms, and recovery goals. Open communication is key.

3. Gentle, Targeted Techniques: Our therapists use a combination of modalities tailored to your needs, which may include:

   • Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD): To expertly reduce swelling.

   • Gentle Myofascial Release: To address restrictions in the connective tissue.

   • Passive Joint Movements: To maintain mobility.

   • Careful Scar Tissue Mobilization: Once the incision is fully closed and healed.

4. A Comfortable Experience: You will be positioned with supportive pillows and bolsters to ensure there is no strain on your surgical site. We work around incisions, bandages, and areas of sensitivity.
    

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: How soon after surgery can I get a massage?
A: This varies by procedure and individual. For some surgeries, very gentle Manual Lymphatic Drainage can begin within 24-48 hours (with doctor approval). For others, we may need to wait 2-6 weeks until stitches are out and the initial healing phase is complete. Your surgeon's clearance will dictate our timeline.

Q: Is it safe to massage near my incision?
A: We do not massage directly on an unhealed incision. Once your surgeon confirms the incision is closed and stable, we can begin very gentle work around and eventually on the scar tissue to improve its function and appearance.

Q: Will it hurt?
A: Post-surgical massage should NOT be painful. It is significantly gentler than a deep tissue massage. You may feel some mild discomfort as fluid is mobilized or tight areas are released, but we will always work within your comfort zone.

Q: How many sessions will I need?
A: This depends on your surgery and personal healing response. Many clients see significant benefits from a series of 3-5 sessions scheduled close together initially, followed by more spaced-out maintenance sessions.

Q: Can you help with old scar tissue from past surgeries?
A: Absolutely. Myofascial release and cross-fiber friction techniques can be highly effective at breaking down old, restrictive scar tissue, improving mobility and reducing pain even years after a surgery.