Abdominal surgery

We continue the series on post-surgery treatment that massage therapy is a benefit to. Today we take a look at abdominal surgery, which can be performed on a variety of abdominal organs, such as the reproductive organs, stomach, gallbladder, intestine, appendix, liver, spleen or esophagus for many reasons, such as including obstruction, infection, inflammatory bowel disease or tumors. Larger incisions are generally used in open abdominal surgery, while smaller incisions are used during laparoscopic surgery.

Some complaints and complications after surgery include: 

• Scarring or adhesions

• Muscle inhibition caused by tightening adhesions

• Abdominal muscle inhibition and scarring can lead to back pain because patients compensate or change how they move

Massage therapy targets chronic back pain with soft tissue manipulation to improve the alignment of the body.. It can help reactivate muscles that may not be working as they should a common result of post operative atrophy, or reduction in muscle mass. Specific scar tissue massage also targets the tissue around the incision to reduce inhibition and increase range of motion.

The appropriate time to begin massage after abdominal surgery varies according to the procedure and individual healing. Medical clearance may be necessary, particularly before working near an incision or surgical site.

Generally this type of massage can be started minimally at 3 weeks post op with progressive treatments after 5 to 6 weeks. However, a type of massage called Manual Lymphatic Drainage, in which long, light brush strokes can be performed as early as days after surgery. Most of my treatment of abdominal surgery patients have been in the early days of their recovery in which clients have reported greater comfort and reduced feelings of swelling during their recovery.

Postoperative massage should always reflect the type of surgery and the individual’s stage of recovery. Read more about massage therapy for rehabilitation after injury and surgery

NOTE: I no longer am making house calls but have set up shop in Decatur, TX.

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