Swedish or other massages after ALND

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SusanSmay
SusanSmay Member Posts: 13
edited March 2015 in Lymphedema

Hey Ladies!

Before having my BMX, I used to get massages  a few times a year and I am wondering if anyone knows from experience, if I can continue to get them or will they / can they potentially trigger lymphedema since I had axillary lymph nodes removed (only 5 of them)?   

I asked my lymphedema physical therapist about it and the first time around she said she wasn't sure, that she thought it would be okay as long as I didn't have my left arm massaged. The second appointment, a few weeks later, I asked again and this time she told me that she has patients that do it, but she personally couldn't recommend it, again because she just doesn't know for sure.  My breast surgeon on the other hand said "go for it!"  which surprised me, but she didn't have a concern about it at all. 

Thoughts? advice? Recommendations? personal experiences?

 

Thanks! Susan

 

 


 

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  • vlnrph
    vlnrph Member Posts: 1,632
    edited February 2015

    I had a massage at a spa on vacation and explained that my right arm would be "off limits". Wasn't too worried about my truncal issues.

    Then, I won a free session at my local fitness center with a newly certified 'cancer specialist' who used a technique something like the light decongestive therapy employed by my LE person so that was OK. If she had started doing heavier, back & forth motions on the affected limb, I would have stopped her. I also let her work my hand a little in a sweeping, upward direction.

    Just tell whoever you hire what you want and why. They should respect your wishes and you will have a chance to educate them about the risks of lymphedema!

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  • hugz4u
    hugz4u Member Posts: 2,781
    edited February 2015

    Good question and welcome, My Mld therapist is a trained massage therapist. If I ever wanted a massage I would employ her to do it as she knows my body inside out. Maybe find someone trained in both.

    Your breast surgeon/onc may not know too much about LE as that is not their area of expertise and perhaps that is why she said Go for it. Be wary.

    BTW you are at risk with even one node out.

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  • Binney4
    Binney4 Member Posts: 8,609
    edited February 2015

    Susan, our lymphatic system is divided into quadrants, and the area of your body affected by your cancer treatment is not just the arm, but the entire quadrant, from midline in front to midline in back, and from waist to neck. Kinda like a chicken wing quarter. So that entire area needs to be handled with special care and gentleness.

    I agree with Hugz--our doctors are often not lymphedema-savvy, so proceed with caution!

    Be well!
    Binney

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  • SusanSmay
    SusanSmay Member Posts: 13
    edited March 2015

    Thank you for your help Ladies!


    Binney - I didn't realize our lymph system was divided into quadrants so that it's not just my arm I have to take into consideration when getting a massage.

    I am not certain what to do now....getting a massage was one of my great pleasures in life and now I fear it's going to become another casualty to the cancer :-(


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  • balance
    balance Member Posts: 49
    edited March 2015

    Hi Susan,

    I have been having monthly massages for many years and have continued them since my my ANLD in 5/2012. I have had no problems with LE so far. At the time, I googled the question of massage after ALND and found information indicating the use of a certain " level of touch" for the affected quadrant.  Your massage therapist, however, should be aware of precautions indicated with ALND.  I think that as long as you share your medical history/concerns with the therapist, and are confident in her/his training/abilities, you should be fine.  Enjoy!  I'm having a massage this evening:)

    Beth  

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  • scvmom65
    scvmom65 Member Posts: 88
    edited March 2015

    Hi Susan,


    I, like you think massage is one of the great treats in life. I have mild lymphedema in my left arm and I enjoy a massage once a month because I found it actually HELPS with the lymphedema. I dont have the person do my arm, when I swell I get it right at the elbow and up level, but what seems to help with me is that they can get into the area behind the shoulder blades and the trap muscles. My body must get stagnant lymph in there and ever since my bc surgery that is an area I can ache in on my left side. After a massage the aches are gone for a few weeks! I used to have worse lyphedema and I think between massage, low salt diet, dry brushing daily and exercise things have gotten better. I do have to drink TONS of water though or it will be worse and my arm will ache. I means tons too, like to the point where you pee clear, but if I do that after my massage I feel so so so so much better. I hope you get to enjoy this pleasure in life too, best of luck to you!


    Anna

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  • SusanSmay
    SusanSmay Member Posts: 13
    edited March 2015

    Anna and Beth, Thank you so much!! It was wonderful to read that you have both had favorable experiences with massage and gives me confidence to resume getting them for myself. The woman I go to has been a massage therapist for 20+ years and is well educated and well experienced and said the ALND wasn't going to be a problem. So HAPPY!!!!

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  • Ariom
    Ariom Member Posts: 6,197
    edited March 2015

    Hi SusanSmay, I have been having fortnightly massage for Rheumatoid Arthritis for about 15 years, I was concerned too, so when my Surgeon gave me the go ahead to continue massage I had to find a new therapist, because I had recently moved and hadn't found anyone to take the place of the great therapist I had been seeing for all those years. Fortunately, the woman I found here is a Kinesiologist and Massage therapist who specializes in myofascial release therapy. She does remedial massage, a bit of Lymph drainage on my other limbs and massages my chest where I had the Umx which helped prevent any adhesions. I haven't had any LE issues, but she goes very easy on my Mx side.

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