The Benefits of Post Surgical Recovery Massage for Pain Management

While there is no exact figure, the annual number of surgeries performed in the United States is estimated to be in the tens of millions, with a shift in outpatient surgeries driving the growth. The aging population is another factor affecting demand, particularly for procedures that involve joint replacement and other age-related factors.[1] Among the most common surgeries performed in the U.S., according to Medliant healthcare staffing service, are: [2]

·       Cataract surgery: quite common due to the growing aging population

·       Cesarean Section

·       Joint replacement surgery – knee and hip being particularly widespread among the older generation

·       Minimally invasive appendectomy

·       Gallbladder removal

·       Coronary artery bypass

·       Hernia repairs

·       Breast surgery includes both surgery for cancer and for augmentation and reduction for aesthetic or health reasons

Managing pain after surgery with drugs

Because surgery involves incisions and the healing of tissues, pain and discomfort is common after a procedure. Symptoms can include soreness, swelling, burning, stabbing, throbbing, tenderness, and stiffness.

A U.S. national survey conducted to assess patient perceptions and characterize patient experiences/levels of satisfaction with post-surgical pain management found that 86 percent of survey participants experienced pain after surgery. During the immediate post-surgical period 75 percent of them had moderate/extreme pain. After discharge, 74 percent of these patients still experienced the same levels of pain.[3] Pain control, of which pain medication plays a significant role, is critical for both patient comfort and recovery.

The most common pain medication options doctors recommend include: [4]

·       Local anesthetics like lidocaine and bupivacaine, which block nerve signals to the brain.

·       Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), Naproxen sodium (Aleve), and Celecoxib (Celebrex). These drugs lessen swelling that makes pain worse.

·       Non-opioid analgesics, such as acetaminophen, which is Tylenol.

·       Opioids, which include Codeine, Morphine, Oxycodone, Tramadol, Fentanyl, and others. These are powerful pain medicines that lower the perception of pain. Such medications can be given in pill form or intravenously.

But there are drawbacks to post-surgical opioids. While they are meant for a short-term pain management strategy, they can lead to dependence. Persistent use of opioids after surgery is a serious complication of the surgical procedure, associated with an increased risk of opioid use, mortality, morbidity, and greater utilization of healthcare resources, research finds. [5] This is especially troubling considering the significant number of surgeries performed each year, with levels potentially rising due to an increasingly aging population.

Non-pharmacological options to manage post-surgical pain

A research review study published in 2024 examined the efficacy of nondrug approaches to enhance control of post-surgical pain and reduce the dependence on opioids. The findings suggested that non-pharmacological interventions such as preoperative patient education, mind-body modalities, and physical therapies can reduce the intensity of pain, decrease the consumption of opioids, and enhance recovery outcomes. As such, these nondrug approaches have potential as effective complements to traditional methods for pain management. [6]

Role of post-surgical recovery massage

Massage is among the nondrug options recommended for post-surgical pain relief because of its benefits supporting the healing process. Findings from the research review, which included 33 randomized controlled trials, indicated massage therapy had a significant pain-relieving effect in both immediate and 4–6-week follow-up assessments. The duration or dose of massage therapy did not impact its effectiveness. The massage therapy also appeared more beneficial to adults than other age groups.[7]

Benefits of surgical recovery massage

Massage therapy offers benefits that support the body’s healing after surgery. For this reason, surgical recovery massage increasingly is becoming an essential component of a multi-faceted approach to patient recovery. Among the benefits of surgical recovery massage are:[8]^,[9]

Improve circulation: Good circulation supports every stage of the healing process. Post-surgical recovery massage can improve circulation by efficiently delivering nutrients to areas affected by surgery and clearing toxins from the body. Enhanced circulation helps promote quicker healing and can help reduce inflammation and swelling that can develop in the post-surgical period.

Reduce swelling: Surgery can temporarily disrupt the lymphatic system. Lymphatic post-surgical recovery massage encourages excess fluid to move away from the affected area to reduce swelling and discomfort. Lymphatic massage clears waste products and brings oxygen-rich blood to tissues to speed up recovery.

Manage pain: Muscle tension after surgery is common. Therapeutic massage techniques, which include deep tissue massage, trigger point therapy, and gentle stretching, can help relieve tight muscles, minimize pain, and prevent long term postural imbalances that may develop during recovery. Relaxed muscles help improve sleep, which also contributes to overall surgical recovery.

Prevent scar tissue: Excessive scar tissue that can develop after surgery can restrict movement and cause discomfort. Scar tissue can also raise aesthetic concerns. Massage therapy can help reduce dense scar tissue formation, making the tissue more pliable and flexible. Manipulating scar tissue during post-surgery recovery massage helps restore range of motion by reducing stiffness in the area affected and improves the appearance of the scar.

Boost emotional well-being: By promoting relaxation and reducing stress that often result from surgery, post-surgical recovery massage helps promote a patient’s well-being. A positive emotional well-being can help the healing process.

 

Enhanced range of motion: After surgery, patients experience a decrease in range of motion. Post-surgical recovery massage helps by reducing swelling, breaking down scar tissue, increasing blood flow to the affected area and relaxing muscles to help regain movement.

 

Post-surgical recovery massage can benefit patients both physically and mentally.  You can help clients by educating them about what they may experience after surgery and addressing their resulting problems hands-on whether through light strokes, gentle stretching, or deep tissue to meet specific patient needs. In this way, you play a vital role in helping clients with their post operative recovery.

 

Regarding when surgical recovery massage can begin, clients should get clearance from their healthcare provider before starting massage therapy The type of surgery, location of the incision, and how well the client is healing will help determine when massage begins.