Posts Tagged “Cosmetic Surgery”

Sep 12 2008

Benefits of Lymphatic Drainage Massage for Cosmetic Surgery

Posted by: dan in Lymphatic Massage, tags: , , , ,

Written By: Anaya Bennett-DuBrois, Elements Therapeutic Massage Therapist, LMP, NCTM, Reiki Practitioner

As with any cosmetic surgery, there are potential risk of side effects such as poor scaring, bruises, and swelling. To minimize these possible results there is a massage technique used at Elements Therapeutic Massage for our clients recovering from cosmetic surgery called Lymphatic Drainage Massage (LDM.) The benefits of LDM are sure to enable clients to make a smoother transition to a full recovery.

What is the Lymphatic System?

One of the eleven systems that make up our human anatomy consists of the Lymphatic System. This system is responsible for carrying excess fluid, proteins, bacteria, and waste materials from the tissues, thus cleansing the tissues of debris. Once fluid and particles enter the lymphatic system they are called lymph. The lymph is transported to lymph nodes where it is cleansed and filtered and then it is returned to the blood stream. The lymphatic system plays an important role in the body’s defense against infection.

In the healing phase following surgery, waste products can build up in the local tissues. These waste products can increase and prolong inflammation, swelling, and pain during the healing phase. LDM improves lymph flow and accelerates the removal of these waste products, and thus can speed up healing.

What is Lymphatic Drainage Massage (LDM) Therapy?

Lymphatic Drainage Massage is a technique used to provide relief from edema, an accumulation of fluids in the tissues that causes swelling. It is a gently, rhythmic style of massage that stimulates the immune system and improves the appearance of the skin. LDM is used before and after surgery, to help speed up healing and reduce edema/swelling. It increases blood flow and can reduce scar tissue. During LDM, muscles relax, heart and breathe rate decrease, and clients move into a state of relaxation that promotes healing and balance. Symptoms like fatigue, mild depression, and chronic soft-tissue pain call for the gentleness of lymph massage. It will stimulate the immune system and has an energizing effect on the body’s vital energy. Scar tissue becomes smaller, smoother, more flexible and stronger with LDM.

How is LDM applied?

• Usually, the first session of lymphatic drainage massage will consist of a consultation with the therapist, at which time the therapist can determine how many treatments you will need as well as how those treatments will be implemented.

• LDM is a series of very gentle, rhythmic massage strokes that increases the transport of lymph flow through the tissues. Every stroke is very light, not as heavy as the strokes of a Swedish massage. The goal of LDM is to reroute the lymph fluid around areas that are blocked and gently move it into areas with healthy lymph vessels where the lymph fluid can drain normally.

• Excessive pressure is undesirable. Each stroke consists of an active phase and a resting phase. During the active phase, pressure is gradually increased, stimulating the skin in a particular direction.

• This is followed by a slow, controlled decrease in pressure into the resting phase. Each stroke is directed towards the regional lymph nodes to stimulate appropriate lymphatic flow. Strokes last a few seconds and are repeated five to ten times in each area. LDM can be started several days after surgery and a patient can undergo several, to a few, treatment sessions.

Benefits of Lymphatic Drainage Massage (LDM):

• Decreases edema (swelling)
• Enhances the action of the immune system
• Reduces pain
• Improves skin health
• Promotes deep relaxation
• Speeds healing of injuries
• Decreases scar tissue
• Minimizes scar formation

When to have a Lymphatic Drainage Massage (LDM):

• Lymph edema
• Post-mastectomy edema
• Pre and Post Surgery
• Inflammatory conditions such as sprains, strains, and muscle tears

When it’s NOT safe to have Lymphatic Drainage Massage (LDM):

• Congestive Heart Failure
• Serious circulatory problems
• During acute infections and inflamed illnesses
• Untreated, malignant tumors

Best Candidates for this Massage:

• Patients who want to experience a speedy and smoother recovery from cosmetic surgery.
• Patients with postoperative swelling find LDM to be very soothing and effective in its resolution.

*If you are looking for additional assistance to make your transition from surgery a lot easier, an LDM trained therapist at Elements Therapeutic Massage would be happy to service your LDM road to recovery. Elements Therapeutic Massage is located in the Berkeley Heights Plaza, 1700 Northside Drive, Atlanta, GA 30326. The phone number to Elements is 404-389-0494. Call today and one of our client coordinators will make you an appointment.

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Aug 18 2008

Fitness on a Budget - Atlanta APC Plastic Surgery

Posted by: dan in Health and Fitness, tags: , , , , ,

Paying for a gym membership and the gas it takes to get there can be expensive, but there are plenty of other options for getting in shape. Here are some low-cost alternatives to help you get fit without breaking your budget:

1. Improvise by using ordinary household items for various upper and lower body exercises.

  • Canned goods. Many canned goods can serve double duty as hand weights.
  • Milk or water jugs. Fill empty milk or water jugs with water or sand and secure the tops with duct tape. To adjust the weights as your fitness level changes, simply add more water or sand. If you wonder how much weight you’re lifting, simply weigh the jug on your household scale.
  • Potatoes. A 5- or 10-pound bag of potatoes can provide added resistance for various exercises.
  • A low, sturdy step stool can become exercise equipment if you use it for step training — an aerobic exercise resembling stair climbing.
  • Chair. You can use a chair for many seated exercises with makeshift weights or use the seat as a platform for your hands while doing triceps dips. The back of the chair serves as a good place to hold on for extra balance when doing things like leg lifts.

    • 2. You don’t necessarily need special equipment like a treadmill or elliptical machine to get a great cardiovascular workout. With a little planning, some of the daily activities you take for granted can become part of your exercise routine:

  • Get in extra steps whenever & wherever you can. Take a brisk walk every day, whether it’s a path through your neighborhood or laps in a local mall. Take the stairs instead of the elevator or make a full workout of climbing the stairs. Sneak in extra steps whenever you can by parking farther away from your destination.
  • Pick up the pace as you do your household chores. Mow the lawn, weed the garden, rake the leaves or shovel the snow, but make the movements intentional and try to maintain a quick pace while you’re working. Even indoor activities such as vacuuming and scrubbing count as a workout if you increase your heart rate.
  • Don’t sit on the sidelines. If you have children, don’t just watch them play. Join them for a game of tag or kickball. Walk them to the park. Dance. Take a family bike ride.

    • 3. Invest in a few pieces of inexpensive exercise equipment that will allow you to get a total body workout at home or on the road.

  • Dumbbells. Dumbbells are small, hand-held weights that you can use to strengthen your upper body. They’re available in many sizes, but most women only need 3lb, 5lb and 8lb to start out with.
  • Resistance bands. These stretchy tubes offer weight-like resistance when you pull on them. Choose from varying degrees of resistance, depending on your fitness level.
  • Jump-ropes. Skipping rope can be a great cardiovascular workout, and you can get these for just a couple of dollars.

    • 4. Buy used equipment. Check out listings for used exercise equipment on local online ad boards like craigslist.com. Online auction sites like eBay are also a good option, but make sure the shipping costs won’t put the item out of your budget.

    5. Turn your home into a private aerobics class with a good selection of exercise videos. Borrow videos from your library or a friend, or rent them from the video store before you buy them to see if you like the routines. Another great option is signing up for Netflix or another mail delivery program that will allow you to keep fresh titles coming each week. Be sure to pick videos that match your current fitness level so that you don’t get discouraged by exercises that are too hard or too easy. Some small equipment may be required, depending on the activity you select.

    6. Be a savvy shopper. If you’re interested in a specific exercise class or piece of equipment, shop around before committing.

  • Check out your local recreation department because many offer discounted fitness classes to local residents. If you live near a college with a fitness center, ask if the facility is available to community members. If you’re a graduate of the school, you may qualify for an even better rate.
  • Share costs with a friend. Some personal trainers let you split the cost of a session with a friend or two.

    • These tips were brought to you by Amber O’Neal, Certified Personal Trainer and Owner of Café Physique, a fitness and nutrition company specializing in studio and in-home personal training, yoga & pilates and nutrition counseling in Metro Atlanta. For more information, please visit www.CafePhysique.com
    A collaboration between Atlanta APC Plastic Surgery and Cafe Physique

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