Topic: Massage Cautions?

Mantra, regular massage increases blood flow to the area, and can increase the risk of swelling, but is not an absolute contraindication if you're just at risk. It can do so much good as well. Just be attentive to your arm and trunk after and during your massage.

 Nagem, for people with lymphedema, it's felt that the piercing of the skin, even in the quadrants not involved, could increase the risk for cellulitis. I would definitely have them avoid the entire quadrant that is at risk, and for you, that's the entire upper body. You could talk to you accupuncturist about other channels they might be able to use.

Kira 

I had that question as well.  I had an axillary dissection and have found the massage helps, but I took the time find a trained massage therapist who knew what areas to avoid.  It has become a session by session check because sometimes my arm has that fullness and heaviness up and donw the full arm- you know hwat I mean????

As an Oncology Massage Therapist with 10 years experience I love being able to reply to this question.  A regular massage to any limb that has had nodal dissection, even one node removed, has the risk forever for lymphedema.  It is the reason your nurses try not to do blood pressures or needle sticks in the affected arm.  It is about the increase of lymph flow through a compromised lymphatic system.  A massage with repeated strokes to the affected side could cause the lymphatic system to try to move the lymph faster than its transport ability.  Now saying all that, a massage therapist that has been trained in oncology massage has the ability to offer you a wonderfully tranquil, relaxing, revitalizing experience that you so richly deserved.  There is no reason for any survivor to get lymphedema due to an untrained massage therapist or lack of knowledge.  That is why once again I will be at Living Beyond Breast Cancer this February in Atlanta, GA.  Hope to see you there.

ToniM14 thanx for your post . I had 27 nodes removed from left side and sentinel node biopsy on right +Double mastectomy. Starting Chemo on Nov. 17th. TCH X 6 then Herceptin for rest of 1 year. My onc doesn't believe in ports, unless your veins have a problem. Obviously they can't use my left arm but they are going to use my right arm. Since you know about this could you please direct me. Thank you so much for any info you can give me. I'm scared of getting lymphedema in right arm.

ccnani, hello!

Your veins DO have a problem -- poking at them with an IV could cause you a chronic, life-long medical condition that is both difficult to manage and exasperating, not to mention seriously prone to systemic infection. Unfortunately, many of our doctors know little about lymphedema and fail to understand the tremendous impact it has on our on-going health and quality of life. 

You might want to ask your oncologist whether this is his policy for everyone or if there's some particular medical reason why you in particular are not a good candidate for a port. If it's just his policy, then you have to decide what YOUR policy is going to be regarding accessing your arm. The decision is ultimately yours -- it's your arm, and lymphedema is for the rest of your life.

That said, I also want to turn around and encourage you that, should you ever develop lymphedema, there is excellent treatment available to control and manage it -- and hey! we're all here to buck up anybody who joins our "club"!

Be well,
Binney