Massage After Mastectomy Benefits can be life-changing for active individuals in Edmonton and Sherwood Park navigating recovery. While breast cancer surgery is often essential, the healing process can bring physical pain, emotional fatigue, and limited mobility.
With over 28,000 Canadians diagnosed with breast cancer annually, many undergo mastectomies—procedures that deeply impact the body and mind. Yet few are told how massage can support recovery.
This guide explores the most effective massage after mastectomy benefits, when it’s safe to begin, and which techniques offer the greatest relief—so you can return to movement, strength, and confidence.
What Is a Mastectomy—and Why Does Massage Matter?
A mastectomy involves the removal of one or both breasts, often including surrounding tissues such as lymph nodes or chest muscles. This life-saving surgery often leads to a range of physical complications:
- Pain and tightness in the chest, arms, and shoulders
- Scar tissue and reduced mobility
- Swelling or lymphedema caused by disrupted lymphatic flow
- Emotional trauma or body image challenges
Massage after breast cancer surgery can help alleviate these side effects by supporting circulation, reducing discomfort, and gently reintroducing movement.
The Life-Changing Benefits of Massage After Mastectomy
When performed by a skilled therapist familiar with post-cancer care, massage can be a powerful recovery ally. Here’s how:
1. Pain Relief and Reduced Discomfort
Surgical trauma can trigger pain that radiates to the arms, chest wall, and upper back. Massage soothes these areas by encouraging blood flow and calming the nervous system.
2. Better Mobility and Range of Motion
After surgery, many patients report stiffness when lifting their arm or reaching behind them. Gentle massage helps restore movement in surrounding muscles and fascia.
3. Swelling and Lymphedema Support
Lymphedema—a buildup of lymphatic fluid—is a common complication. Lymphatic drainage massage after mastectomy uses slow, rhythmic techniques to move fluid safely through the body, reducing swelling and discomfort.
4. Scar Tissue Flexibility
Post-surgical scar tissue can limit flexibility and create adhesions. Targeted massage helps soften these areas, promoting tissue regeneration and a more natural range of movement.
5. Stress Relief and Emotional Support
Your body and mind heal together. Massage sessions offer a safe space to decompress, regulate stress hormones, and rebuild trust in your body.
Bonus Benefit: For many clients at our South Edmonton massage clinic, post-mastectomy massage has been a gateway to reconnecting with physical activity, training, or everyday tasks—faster and with greater confidence.
When to Begin Massage After Breast Cancer Surgery
Every recovery timeline is different, and medical clearance is essential before beginning massage therapy. That said, general guidelines suggest:
- Light massage (hands, feet, scalp, non-affected areas): As early as 2 weeks post-op, with doctor’s approval
- Direct massage on surgical sites or lymph nodes: Usually 6–8 weeks post-op or when healing is confirmed
Work with a registered massage therapist who has experience with massage after mastectomy and is trained in oncology protocols.
Key Considerations Before You Book
To ensure your safety and maximize benefits, keep these tips in mind:
✅ Get Medical Clearance
Always confirm with your surgeon or oncologist before starting massage. They’ll check for healing progress, complications, or special precautions.
✅ Choose a Therapist Trained in Post-Mastectomy Care
Not every massage therapist is trained in cancer recovery or lymphatic drainage massage after mastectomy. At Athlete’s Choice Massage, our team includes professionals with the clinical knowledge to adapt techniques to your stage of healing.
✅ Communicate Comfort Levels
It’s normal to feel vulnerable post-surgery. Talk openly with your therapist about pressure, positioning, or areas that feel sensitive. Adjustments are part of the process.
Common Massage Techniques Used After Mastectomy
Here are some of the most effective methods used in post-surgical recovery sessions:
Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD)
This feather-light, purposeful technique is ideal for managing swelling and supporting your immune system. MLD helps move lymph fluid toward working lymph nodes without overstimulating the area.
Explore our lymphatic drainage massage therapy page to learn how we support post-operative recovery.
Scar Tissue Mobilization
Scar massage helps realign collagen fibers, softening the tissue, and reducing restriction. This can significantly improve flexibility in the chest and underarm.
Myofascial Release
This technique targets tight connective tissue (fascia) surrounding muscles. It’s especially helpful for clients experiencing limited range of motion or stiffness after radiation or surgery.
Relaxation-Based Approaches
Gentle therapeutic massage or craniosacral therapy can also be used to ease overall stress, soothe the nervous system, and offer emotional grounding.
Check out our therapeutic massage services for more details.
A Sherwood Park Client’s Journey
Claire, an avid runner from Sherwood Park, underwent a double mastectomy in early 2024. While she felt physically strong post-surgery, the limited range of motion and swelling in her right arm kept her from returning to activity.
After three sessions of massage after mastectomy, including lymphatic drainage and gentle scar tissue work, Claire was back to walking her usual trails within weeks. The results, she said, were “not just physical—but emotional, too. I finally felt like myself again.”
Supporting Your Healing, One Massage at a Time
Healing from breast cancer surgery requires more than just time—it takes the right care, the right touch, and the right environment. Whether you’re preparing to return to sport or simply want to feel at ease in your body again, massage after mastectomy offers a compassionate path forward.
At Athlete’s Choice Massage, we specialize in evidence-informed recovery practices tailored to your goals. From deep tissue massage to post-operative care, our skilled team is here to support your journey, every step of the way.
