Shoulder Surgery

Last fall a client had a second shoulder surgery to remove excess scar tissue in his glenohumeral joint. His first surgery had been only 18 months prior to this surgery. I offered to massage him several times a week for the first two weeks to see if we could prevent scar tissue from adhering. He has visited a me a few times since then. He has given me permission to share our experience with his healing as it relates to massage.

His Purpose for Massage Therapy

His goal is to avoid the tight scar tissue which caused problems after the first surgery. We don't know how often he will need to continue massage therapy. He is paying attention to his body and coming in whenever he notices the beginning of the deep dull tightness that was constantly present after his first surgery.

The First Two Weeks after Surgery

He accepted my offer and came early in the morning before work three times each week. I spent only 15 minutes each visit doing manual lymph drainage and light myosfascial release. I began by massaging 1/2 to 1 inch from the stitches. As he healed and the stitches were removed, I moved closer to the incision sites, continuing with very light massage.

Each time he left my office feeling that his shoulder was less tight. When he visited the physical therapist's office, they were amazed at how loose the scar was and said that he was doing much better than they expected. In fact, at the end of the two weeks, the physical therapist said that he was four weeks ahead of schedule.

He was sore the mornings after physical therapy, however, after the massage he felt much better and noticed that he could move his arm with more ease (staying within the range of motion which the physical therapist had prescribed).

A Month Later

He called me because his scar was feeling tight and he felt that a massage would be beneficial. I did the same massage: a combination of manual lymph drainage and myofascial release, however this time I worked with a moderately light pressure over the scar. He told me that he was still ahead of schedule with his physical therapy. He had been given permission for full range of motion. He said that in contrast to the last surgery, he did not feel the scar tissue pulling as he moved his arm. That is, he had much easier and increased range of motion.

We both hope that means the scar tissue is not adhering and will not cause problems in his joint.

Two Months Later

He called to schedule two more quick appointments. He felt the area was beginning tighten up again and that he had less range of motion. He has not seen the physical therapist since before the holidays. Because of the holidays he had not consistently been doing the stretches and muscle strengthening which the physical therapist had recommended. After I worked on his shoulder for 15 minutes, he felt that it was much looser and his range of motion was restored. He plans to return to the exercises prescribed by the physical therapist and continue with massage therapy whenever he feels the area adhering or becoming tight.

Update

After the two month visit he came to see me once a week for a few weeks. His range of motion was not 100% and he wanted that. He came for quick 15-minute visits for several weeks and I added myofascial release massage to more of the shoulder joint, including the pectoralis muscles, deltoid, supraspinatis, and infraspinatis. With each visit his range of motion is increasing and he has less pain.

Here is anexplanation of why the massage I do is having such a positive affect on his shoulder.

Book an Appointment