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How do the "experts" feel about massage (traditional deep tissue, relaxing) after having a mastectomy?

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Topics (Tags):

Surgery Recovery Breast Surgery Surgery Breast Surgery Recovery Massage Mastectomy

Topics:

Surgery Recovery X Breast Surgery X Surgery X Breast Surgery Recovery X Massage X Mastectomy X

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Diseases:

Breast Cancer

Diseases:

Breast Cancer

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Answers (2)

member1136 (Caregiver) - 01 / 26 / 2012

Not sure what you are referring to when you say "massage". Do you mean traditional massage or manual lymph drainage which is sometimes referred to as "massage" although it is not part of the traditional massage protocol?

Are you asking about having a massage for its generalized beneficial effects, or are you asking about massage as a component of post-mastectomy rehabilitation treating swelling, neuropathy, scar tissue and fibrosis?

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dianeradfordmd (Physician - Surgery - Breast (Verified) ) - 01 / 30 / 2012

Massage after mastectomy is generally considered to be beneficial. There was some concern a few years ago that massage may spread breast cancer cells. This notion has been overturned.

It has been shown that massage reduces anxiety, pain and requirements for pain medication. A study form the University of Miami showed that massage also increased levels of a brain chemical called dopamine, which helps produce a feeling of well-being. In addition there was an increase in protective white blood cells that help boost the immune system (called natural killer cells) from the first to the last day of the study.

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Latest Activity: 01 / 30 / 2012
Views: 220
Followed By: 3 members