Healing Therapeutics specializes in lymphedema treatment in Port Chester, NY. Pre and Post Surgical Lymphatic Drainage Massage can ensure you are receiving the best care possible.

Any surgery, including cosmetic surgery, Post Cancer surgical and Chemo/Radiation Treatment will lead to swelling and bruising in the area the surgery is performed. It is the job of Lymphatic channels, small hair like structures beneath the skin, to carry away excess fluid and toxins. After surgery these channels may be overwhelmed. Lymphatic massage helps to clear swelling and bruising by clearing these channels.

Unlike typical deep tissue massage the lymphatic vessels are located between the skin and muscles. A lighter pressure applied in the direction of the lymphatic channels is required to help force excess fluid into and through these channels.

Benefits of Lymphatic Massage include the following: speeds overall recovery, reduces inflammation, pain and bruising, reduces stiffness and swelling, improves the immune system due to the important elimination of toxins, helps the body maintain proper blood circulation, and promotes body and mental relaxation.

Edema, Lymphatic Massage, Lymphedema Treatment in Port Chester, NY

Edema is defined as swelling caused by excess fluid trapped in areas of body tissue. This can be due to an inflammatory response after injury or illness or because of deficits in the body’s circulatory system or lymphatic system (lymphedema). The lymphatic system can be described as a subsystem of the circulatory system and plays an important role in maintaining fluid balances, getting fats and waste out of our tissues and organs and also producing immune cells.

Lymphedema usually occurs in one or multiple of the extremities. The junctions that connect our arms and legs to our torso contain a high number of lymphatic organs that if damaged can act as a bottleneck to fluid flow out the extremity. A common type of lymphedema is swelling in an arm on the side of radiation treatment or mastectomy because of breast cancer. It is found to occur in roughly twenty percent of cases of breast cancer in women. ¹

Physical and Occupational therapists can provide edema control techniques such as; retrograde massage, electrical stimulation and positioning to reduce swelling and decrease inflammation in affected areas. Edema control treatments are notably different than lymphedema treatments because the lymphatic vessels in the extremities are more superficial and require a gentle directional massage known as Manual Lymphatic Drainage. Massaging too deep or too strong can actually damage lymphatic vessels further so great care should be taken in selecting an experienced and qualified clinician. Other lymphedema specific treatments include precise wrapping of swollen extremities again taking care to not damage lymphatic vessels further.

Contact Healing Therapeutics to schedule your appointment to receive lymphedema treatment in Port Chester, NY

¹ Gillespie, Tessa C et al. “Breast cancer-related lymphedema: risk factors, precautionary measures, and treatments.” Gland surgery vol. 7,4 (2018): 379-403. doi:10.21037/gs.2017.11.04