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Lymphatic massage at a spa
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Lymphatic massage at a spa

› Forums › Caregiver Community › Lymphatic massage at a spa

  • Post
    • August 26, 2011 at 1:32 am
    jax2007gxp
    Participant

      Hello all,

      I've read about patients and caregivers being trained in massage by a lymphedema specialist.  Tonight, I was watching a television program which featured a high-end spa where they perform a "lymphatic massage" technique.  The woman being interviewed explained the benefits of this sort of massage for folks with a weak immune system, but never mentioned people whose lymph nodes had been removed.  Does anyone have experience with this sort of massage? 

      Hello all,

      I've read about patients and caregivers being trained in massage by a lymphedema specialist.  Tonight, I was watching a television program which featured a high-end spa where they perform a "lymphatic massage" technique.  The woman being interviewed explained the benefits of this sort of massage for folks with a weak immune system, but never mentioned people whose lymph nodes had been removed.  Does anyone have experience with this sort of massage? 

      On a slightly side note, I'm considering a short getaway prior to my lymphedectomy.  Should I skip massage treatments?  Could massage spread the melanoma???

      Looking forward to any thoughts on the subject.

      Jacki

    Viewing 9 reply threads
    • Replies
        • August 26, 2011 at 5:44 am
        washoegal
        Participant

          To be safe you can double check with your Onc but I see no harm.  I did it in between my two surgeries and I am 16 months NED.  Great way to go, keep yourself busy,  less time to worry.  Though I must admit I didn't have all my energy back from the WLE and SLND. 

          Mary

          Stage 3

          • August 26, 2011 at 5:44 am
          washoegal
          Participant

            To be safe you can double check with your Onc but I see no harm.  I did it in between my two surgeries and I am 16 months NED.  Great way to go, keep yourself busy,  less time to worry.  Though I must admit I didn't have all my energy back from the WLE and SLND. 

            Mary

            Stage 3

            • August 26, 2011 at 12:30 pm
            jax2007gxp
            Participant

              Thanks, Mary.  Yep, I've got a list for the doctor again!  My WLE was done in May 2010 and took a long time to heal so I know what you mean.  This time around, I had a needle biopsy so I'm feeling good going into surgery.  Work is keeping me very busy trying to prep for being off for a few weeks, but I really want to get away prior to surgery.  I'll go somewhere I can take a lot of pictures and then have those to look through as I recover.  Good for the mind and spirit!  Not to mention considering options for my first post-op adventure!

              All the best,

              Jacki

              • August 26, 2011 at 12:30 pm
              jax2007gxp
              Participant

                Thanks, Mary.  Yep, I've got a list for the doctor again!  My WLE was done in May 2010 and took a long time to heal so I know what you mean.  This time around, I had a needle biopsy so I'm feeling good going into surgery.  Work is keeping me very busy trying to prep for being off for a few weeks, but I really want to get away prior to surgery.  I'll go somewhere I can take a lot of pictures and then have those to look through as I recover.  Good for the mind and spirit!  Not to mention considering options for my first post-op adventure!

                All the best,

                Jacki

                • August 26, 2011 at 9:34 pm
                Carol Taylor
                Participant

                  Hi Jacki,

                  For me, the massage worked hand-in-hand with the exersizes, mine certered around my left shoulder. No, masssage won't spread the meanoma.

                  I'm assuming you're asking about skipping the massages after your surgery? No, I wouldn't do that. Those massages, especially in conjunction with the exercizes, train your lymphatic system how to pick up the slack of those missing nodes. Plus, until your system kicks in and reroutes that lymphatic fluid, massage helps keep that fluid flowing, which, theoretically, lessens your chances of getting lymphedema. Also, you have to learn to do the proper massages so you can do them at home…and they do feel good.

                  (I did the massages and exercizes and still got lymphedema and got it faitly quickly, too, so they're not a guarantee.)

                   

                  Enjoy your getaway and all the best with your lypmhedectomy!

                  Grace and peace,

                  Carol

                  • August 26, 2011 at 9:34 pm
                  Carol Taylor
                  Participant

                    Hi Jacki,

                    For me, the massage worked hand-in-hand with the exersizes, mine certered around my left shoulder. No, masssage won't spread the meanoma.

                    I'm assuming you're asking about skipping the massages after your surgery? No, I wouldn't do that. Those massages, especially in conjunction with the exercizes, train your lymphatic system how to pick up the slack of those missing nodes. Plus, until your system kicks in and reroutes that lymphatic fluid, massage helps keep that fluid flowing, which, theoretically, lessens your chances of getting lymphedema. Also, you have to learn to do the proper massages so you can do them at home…and they do feel good.

                    (I did the massages and exercizes and still got lymphedema and got it faitly quickly, too, so they're not a guarantee.)

                     

                    Enjoy your getaway and all the best with your lypmhedectomy!

                    Grace and peace,

                    Carol

                    • August 27, 2011 at 4:25 am
                    JerryfromFauq
                    Participant

                      Message is highly recommended after surgery.  You might need to double check if your insurance will cover the therapy at the spa.

                        • August 29, 2011 at 3:46 pm
                        killmel
                        Participant

                          Hi Jacki,

                          I read your profile & I noticed you live in Orange County, California.

                          I have been doing research for a friend who had surgery & know has lymphedema in her legs.

                          I would be intersted in knowing where in Orange County can my friend go for lymphema messsage.

                          Appreciate any recommendations from anyone where can my friend go.

                          Thanks

                          • August 30, 2011 at 2:28 am
                          jax2007gxp
                          Participant

                            I'm sorry that I don't have an answer for you.  I am just getting started in all of this myself, but will be happy to share once I have referrals from my doctor.  I am treating at UC Irvine in Orange.  They like have someone on staff, if I had to guess.  I actually live in San Bernardino County, so I will be looking for resources close to my home too.  So Cal is a wonderful place with great resources.  Good luck in finding help for your friend!

                            • August 30, 2011 at 2:28 am
                            jax2007gxp
                            Participant

                              I'm sorry that I don't have an answer for you.  I am just getting started in all of this myself, but will be happy to share once I have referrals from my doctor.  I am treating at UC Irvine in Orange.  They like have someone on staff, if I had to guess.  I actually live in San Bernardino County, so I will be looking for resources close to my home too.  So Cal is a wonderful place with great resources.  Good luck in finding help for your friend!

                              • August 29, 2011 at 3:46 pm
                              killmel
                              Participant

                                Hi Jacki,

                                I read your profile & I noticed you live in Orange County, California.

                                I have been doing research for a friend who had surgery & know has lymphedema in her legs.

                                I would be intersted in knowing where in Orange County can my friend go for lymphema messsage.

                                Appreciate any recommendations from anyone where can my friend go.

                                Thanks

                                • August 30, 2011 at 2:25 am
                                jax2007gxp
                                Participant

                                  I checked with the doctor and massage is fine, as long as they avoid the "hot spot".  I'm going to a resort this weekend and want to be able to enjoy spa services without worrying about creating complications.

                                  The lymphatic massage technique I was asking about is performed at high end spas, not medical offices.  Quite honestly, until now I would have probably wrote it off as whooee anyway.  But now, it makes me wonder if this sort of massage truly has health benefits in terms of preventing lymphedema…or if it is not really the same thing as what a lymphedema specialist will do.

                                  I will definitely follow the doctor's advice on performing the self-massage and working at preventing lymphedema.  I enjoy being active and can't bear the idea of being down any longer than absolutely necessary!!

                                  Jacki

                                  • August 30, 2011 at 2:25 am
                                  jax2007gxp
                                  Participant

                                    I checked with the doctor and massage is fine, as long as they avoid the "hot spot".  I'm going to a resort this weekend and want to be able to enjoy spa services without worrying about creating complications.

                                    The lymphatic massage technique I was asking about is performed at high end spas, not medical offices.  Quite honestly, until now I would have probably wrote it off as whooee anyway.  But now, it makes me wonder if this sort of massage truly has health benefits in terms of preventing lymphedema…or if it is not really the same thing as what a lymphedema specialist will do.

                                    I will definitely follow the doctor's advice on performing the self-massage and working at preventing lymphedema.  I enjoy being active and can't bear the idea of being down any longer than absolutely necessary!!

                                    Jacki

                                  • August 27, 2011 at 4:25 am
                                  JerryfromFauq
                                  Participant

                                    Message is highly recommended after surgery.  You might need to double check if your insurance will cover the therapy at the spa.

                                    • August 31, 2011 at 12:31 am
                                    Jim M.
                                    Participant

                                      Hi Jackie,

                                       I have lymphedema in my right arm and had all my nodes removed in that arm.. I do the lymphatic massage every morning before I put the sleeve on. I was told I could only remain in a spa for 5 minutes and then the arm would swell. I went to some hot springs. I kept my sleeve on while in the springs. I was in the water the better part of the day and had no increased swelling.

                                       Don't skip massage treatments and massage doesn't spread melanoma,

                                      God Bless,

                                       Jim M.

                                      • August 31, 2011 at 12:31 am
                                      Jim M.
                                      Participant

                                        Hi Jackie,

                                         I have lymphedema in my right arm and had all my nodes removed in that arm.. I do the lymphatic massage every morning before I put the sleeve on. I was told I could only remain in a spa for 5 minutes and then the arm would swell. I went to some hot springs. I kept my sleeve on while in the springs. I was in the water the better part of the day and had no increased swelling.

                                         Don't skip massage treatments and massage doesn't spread melanoma,

                                        God Bless,

                                         Jim M.

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