Hi,

Can anyone tell me how this is done for the swelling in the neck due to Bilateral Neck Dissection.

I can't seem to find much info online and all the surgeon said was to message downward on the face. The Physical Therapist didn't seem to know much about it; and said to message upward ha.

Thanks!

well I am not sure mine mentioned massage as well but really gave me no idea LOL...of course I didnt ask to much at that visit ..but if I had to chose between the surgeon and PT I would follow surgeon advice.

Lisa,

I did not have a neck dissection but after radiation I had lymphatic massage to reduce all the swelling under my chin. It was a downward motion because the damage to the lymphatic system in the neck from the radiation prevents normal drainage and the lymphatic fluid pools up. Stay away from anyone that doesn't especially practice it and knows it very well from a cancer recovery perspective. Keep in mind that while it drains the fluid, it pushes or eases the toxins in the fluid throughout the lymphatic system. Common sense would indicate to me that only request this if you are sure all scans are clean and no indication of recurrent or metastatic disease.

There are registered massage therapist websites that allow you to find someone that you can ask how many cancer survivors they have worked on. I hope this answers your questions.

Ed

Thanks Ed and Sharlee. Well I've been doing some reading and some say if it's done wrong it can do more harm. So think we'll just stay away from the massage for now.

We'll ask the dr's if they can refer us to a licensed massage therapist, if needed. Think for now we'll just let the swelling go down on it's own. It's only been one month since surgery and he's only been home from the hospital for 2 1/2 weeks now.

Thanks again.
LisaB

My wife, who is a licensed, certified massage therapist in California informs me that you also have to take special courses in lymphatic drainage to be properly qualified and a massage therapist so qualified will have "MLD" in her(his title).

You should get clearance from your doctor and some massage therapists require a release as well.

More info:
http://www.cancerbackup.org.uk/Reso...ects/Lymphoedema/Manuallymphaticdrainage

This training is offered in the US as well.

Thanks Gary. Good to know. For sure we will look into this with the RO and or surgeon before letting anyone perform such massages.

Ok so what about just good old regular massaging? a back rub or neck rub......is that ok?

Thanks
LisaB

...any massage until the cancer is considered gone has the same risks.

Ed

Yes the cancer is gone. Yahoo! So other then for the reason of moving bad cells around; is a regular massage safe to do?

Thanks
LisaB

I get regular massages and have had no problems...

Lisa,
If this PT doesn't know what he is doing, find one that does. He certainly has a book he can look it up in. I'd go someplace else.

I had PT after both neck dissections and rad which included heat, massage, stretching muscles to correct my 'winged scapula', help with saliva, get rid of excess lymph drainage and massaging the neck scar so it wouldn't tighten up. It helped a great deal. My recollection was it was in a downward direction, but it was also turning my head from side to side and massaging from the center under my chin towards my ears. It also includued facial massage, both intra and extra oral for trismus and saliva production.

Maybe your RO or surgeon can recommend one. Too bad your not in NJ. Find the right PT and he should see improvment.

Take care,
Eileen