Massage - considerations for sub-clinical LE?

Lexica

Hi, all.

I had a BMX in December 2017 - 11 nodes removed. I have subclinical LE and am wearing a sleeve almost every day, and one at night as well. I have some pain and discomfort, not terrible, and gets better when I wear the sleeves. When my LE specialist/PT scanned my arm after wearing the sleeve for a week, there was a significant difference in volume, so the sleeves are effective.

Anyway, I want to get a massage because my muscles are so tight in my neck and shoulder on the cancer side, and I fear doing it may trigger more LE. Has anyone gotten a massage with LE, or subclinical LE? I plan to find someone who is trained (i.e., not just a massage envy person), but I wanted to get some opinions before I go ahead with it.

Thanks.

NancyD

I was given a gift card to a local spa and very fortunately the masseuse had taken training in LE massage. I don't think I would have let her work on me if she hadn't. She was very careful about my left side (cancer side) and I actually saw a small reduction in my arm when I went home later.

ksusan

You might ask your LE specialist for a recommendation. I don't have LE but did have nodes out on both sides, so I'm alert to potential triggers. I had my trained LE specialist train a massage therapist on how to avoid triggering LE and how to do some drainage while she was working on me. I really needed massage for range of motion, myofascial release, and scar adhesions. So far, so good.

Lexica

Thanks for the tips

HersheyKiss

Some LE specialists are also licensed massage therapists. Perhaps contacting the LE training programs for specialists in your area will be helpful.

https://lymphaticnetwork.org/living-with-lymphedem...

NM71

I got Lymphedema soon after surgery, wore sleeves gloves for a year. Our local Lymphedema clinic is worthless. Then 2 yrs ago I found a great lymphatic massage therapist. I get one , whole body lymphatic,every week and haven’t worn a sleeve for most of the last two years. I probably have stage 1, but recommend it for all. Expensive, but worth it, or of insurance pays. She also has gotten rid of most of the deep radiation scarring.

If u can find a licensed lymphatic therapist, insurance may pay. Medicare doesn’t.

JKL2017

Lexica, my LE was sub-clinical & I had a single episode of LE swelling over a year ago. I have been getting regular MLD massages since then. The massages have been effective in clearing any congestion I'm experiencing & I believe they've kept me healthier than ever (I haven't had a cold in over a year).

I also think the massages have kept my LE from progressing; I have been told that I currently have no evidence of LE. My therapist is familiar with LE & is very careful not to aggravate it. At times I have asked her to work on tight muscles on my affected side & she has always been able to relax them without creating any LE flares. Just make sure to find an LE trained masseuse & discuss your concerns with her in advance. Good luck!