Category: Blogs and Vlogs

The Healing Power of Lymphatic Drainage Massage After Surgery

Undergoing surgery is a significant event that brings both physical and emotional challenges. Post-surgical recovery is a crucial phase that requires adequate care and attention to promote healing, reduce swelling, and enhance overall well-being. One highly effective and increasingly popular method to achieve these goals is through lymphatic drainage massage also referred to as manual lymphatic drainage massage (MLD).  Let’s learn how Lymphatic Drainage Massage helps with post-op care.

What is Manual Lymphatic Drainage Massage?

Lymphatic drainage massage is a specialized therapeutic technique designed to stimulate the lymphatic system, which plays a vital role in removing waste, toxins, and excess fluid from the body. This gentle, non-invasive massage technique targets the lymph nodes and vessels, promoting the flow of lymphatic fluid, and encouraging the body’s natural detoxification process.

1. Reduction of Post-Surgical Swelling:

Swelling, or edema, is a common side effect of surgery due to fluid buildup in the body’s tissues. MLD massage helps reduce swelling by stimulating lymphatic circulation, facilitating the removal of excess fluid and reducing tissue inflammation. By accelerating the healing process, this massage technique can help patients regain their mobility more quickly.

2. Accelerated Healing and Scar Tissue Reduction:

Post-surgical lymphatic drainage massage can enhance the healing process by increasing oxygen and nutrient supply to the affected tissues. Improved circulation helps bring essential nutrients to the surgical site, promoting tissue repair and reducing the formation of scar tissue. The gentle strokes of lymphatic drainage massage can also help break down existing scar tissue, leading to smoother and less visible scars.

3. Enhanced Immune System Support:

Surgery can temporarily weaken the immune system, making patients more susceptible to infections. Lymphatic drainage massage not only helps remove toxins and waste products but also stimulates the production of lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell crucial for immune system function. By boosting the immune system, this massage technique can aid in protecting the body against potential post-surgical infections.

4. Pain Relief and Increased Comfort:

Post-surgical pain is a common concern for patients during recovery. Lymphatic drainage massage can help alleviate discomfort by reducing tissue inflammation and releasing endorphins, the body’s natural pain-relieving hormones. This gentle massage technique also promotes relaxation and stress reduction, contributing to an overall sense of well-being throughout the recovery process.

5. Improved Energy and Vitality:

Surgery and the subsequent recovery period can leave patients feeling fatigued and drained. Lymphatic drainage massage helps improve blood and lymphatic circulation, which can enhance energy levels and promote a sense of rejuvenation. By stimulating the body’s natural filtration/detoxifying process, this massage technique helps eliminate toxins and waste products, leaving patients feeling revitalized.

Lymphatic drainage massage is a highly beneficial therapy for individuals recovering from surgery. Its ability to reduce swelling, accelerate healing, support the immune system, relieve pain, and improve energy levels makes it an invaluable tool in post-surgical recovery. However, it is crucial to consult with a qualified massage therapist or healthcare provider before undergoing lymphatic drainage massage to ensure its suitability for your specific post-surgical needs. With proper care and these therapeutic benefits, patients can experience a smoother and more comfortable recovery journey.

Ayoola at Muscle Management Services is licensed in the Vodder technique of Manual Lymphatic Drainage massage, book with her at Muscle Management Services PHILADELPHIA (848) 359-4809.

 

Modern Massage Therapy and Happy Endings

 

My hope is that every Massage Professional strives to have clients leave the session with a happy ending and by that I mean a smile on their face from the great professional massage that they have just received. “Happy Ending” is not a term that professional American Massage Therapist identify with or acknowledge however there are still those that seek sexual services and happy endings, as well as many businesses local as well as worldwide that are still offering questionable services under the guise of professional massages. Massage Therapy is a broad field that has an ancient history spanning several modalities and in the past some of those modalities included sexual “releases” or just plain sexual acts advertised as Massage.  Today those sexual practices are NOT respected amongst the Professional Modern Massage Therapy  world, as the profession is no longer a field associated with prostitution and sexual acts.  In fact, most places in the US massage therapists are required to have at least a high school diploma and a year or more of schooling, including National or State testing, insurance and licensure!  Schooling involves, detailed anatomy and physiology instruction, massage theory and several hundreds of hours of hands on practice.

Touching and massaging nipples, anus, and genital/pubic areas are defined as inappropriate places to be touched during sessions and are against the law and practice of Massage Therapist in most of the US.

Clients who seek such services must understand that they will be turned away and the session will be canceled. There is no exception or tolerance for inappropriate behavior.

I for sure want all my clients to leave their sessions happy and satisfied, but happy endings will not be the reason why.  The mention of ‘happy endings’ will leave that person quite unhappy because they would not have enjoyed the benefits of a great professional massage.

Massage Therapy is gaining medical prestige and is widely respected among medical professionals.  Most people who have had an issue resolved by massage can attest to its healing capabilities! I look forward to working with you and helping you to experience all that massage therapy has to offer in a safe and respectful environment we both can enjoy!  Looking forward to ending the session with you being happy :-).

 

 

Written by Ayoola Toyer

 

It’s Your Massage, OWN IT! Massage Basics!

Here are some massage basics every client should know before getting a massage.

Communicate– Too often I hear that people are unhappy with their massage experience. My advice, its your massage own it. Most of the time the complaints are things that could have been changed to make the client feel more comfortable. Clients must remember you are paying for a service in which you have certain standards and expectations- It is YOUR massage not the therapist’s massage! If the music is too loud or the room is too hot/cold, let your therapist know.  If you want the lights to be dimmer or you want the pressure of the massage adjusted more than once throughout the massage, let your therapist know. We therapists have not a clue if something hurts or feels good to you. We are trained to use techniques that generally feel good but just because it feels good on most people doesn’t mean you may like it. You have to participate in making your massage a perfect massage for you. If you find that your therapist isn’t interested in meeting your needs, within reason, you can end the massage and find another therapist. Being comfortable during your massage is part of the wellness process.  That being said, also keep in mind that your massage therapist is human and not a robot, he or she may need to pause to take a sip of water and may need to cough like any other person.  Use your better judgement and have realistic expectations of your therapist.

 

If your therapist is offended by your polite yet direct request and you feel like your needs are not being met.  Kindly end the session, you may say ” I am not sure you can provide what I am looking for”  and look for another massage therapist, simple as that.

 

Illness and Massage-there is an endless list of ways in which massage can help several illnesses.  But there are also many illnesses. Which are contraindicated (not recommended.)  Please communicate any and all illnesses, allergies and past injury(s).  If you or your therapist are unsure about if you should receive a massage err on the side of caution and check with your doctor before getting a massage.  It’s better to be safe.

 

Injury and massage– if you have a current or recovering injury let your therapist know.  There is a chance that your therapist could make your injury worse by not knowing specific details about your injury.  If you are an athletic type and have a slight muscle strain that is reoccurring,  massage may help you feel better.   But, the number one solution to pain is rest.  There is a common abbreviation that is often referenced R.I.C.E. (rest, ice, compress and elevate) use this especially with injures that cause swelling and inflammation.  If you have some questions as to the seriousness of your injury please consult with a qualified medical professional.  Massage therapist are trained to relax your muscles and alleviate pain.  We have no way of knowing the severity of an injury.

 

The best advice I can give you is “if you think it say it” the more you communicate to your therapist the better they are able to provide you the massage you were expecting. It’s your massage!

With Cheer,

Ayoola Toyer