Massage - considerations for sub-clinical LE?

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Lexica
Lexica Member Posts: 259
edited September 2018 in Lymphedema

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.

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  • NancyD
    NancyD Member Posts: 3,562
    edited July 2018

    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.


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  • ksusan
    ksusan Member Posts: 4,505
    edited July 2018

    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.

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  • Lexica
    Lexica Member Posts: 259
    edited July 2018

    Thanks for the tips :)

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  • HersheyKiss
    HersheyKiss Member Posts: 550
    edited July 2018

    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...


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  • NM71
    NM71 Member Posts: 10
    edited September 2018

    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.

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  • JKL2017
    JKL2017 Member Posts: 437
    edited September 2018

    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!

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