.
by Founder Elizabeth Vivenzio
.
.
Mastectomy massage is one of the most proactive things that you can do for yourself during recovery and beyond. In the right hands, literally, this type of therapeutic massage can expedite your healing process and improve the end results of your reconstruction. Mastectomy massage truly empowers you to get back “in touch” with your body.
I speak from firsthand experience. I was fortunate to have found an outstanding professional who had earned advanced certification in mastectomy and oncology massage. Iam convinced that her services have benefitted me in so many ways that I am impassioned to share this knowledge with others.
This focused mission is fueled by the frustration that mastectomy massage is rarely recommended by surgeons—despite its known and proven benefits. And even if it is, many times it is not covered by insurance, thus it is “out-of-pocket” and out of reach for some. It takes a major financial commitment to make it a priority in your budget.
Those able to afford it—or barely afford it—will improve their quality of life significantly and bring their mastectomy healing to the next level.
Benefits of Mastectomy Massage
Mastectomy massage helpsto overcome many of the challenges that we face during recovery. Post-op difficulties generally begin when “disuse atrophy” occurs from restrictive movement during the first few week after mastectomy. Disuse atrophy causes rigidity and contraction of the muscles that are not being used. This can be followed by“guarding” of the musculature of the entire upper body region, which means it recoils from discomfort by tensing up and becoming tight.
The benefits of mastectomy massage include:
Limited range of motion in the shoulder, chest and arms.
Muscle tightness, especially in the pectoral muscles and sternal attachments, often caused by contortion of these muscles during the expander process.
Shoulder pain from tightness and contraction after disuse during recovery and displacement of surrounding muscles from the expander process contorting the pectorals.
Scar tissue and adhesions forms lumps, which can cause pain, puckering and odd shapes beneath the skin.
There is often a neurological nerve component to releasing scar tissue. It is common to get a buzzing or prickly sensation as blockages are released and circulation returns to the tissue.
Painful trigger points; soreness and achiness.
Overall Body Tension
Swelling and lymphedema risk-reduction.
Mastectomy massage aids in the removal of fluid away from chest area and extremities, thus reducing the risk of lymphedema.
Reduced risk of capsular contraction
Breast massage reduces the risk of capsular contraction.
Metabolic Cleansing
Massage moves fluid in the body, thus releasing excess chemicals that lodge and secrete within the body. Examples: sodium, anesthesia drugs, chemotherapy drugs.
Loss of sensation from cut nerves, especially due to lymph node removal.
Disconnection with your new body
The Reconnection with your Body: