Four weeks post-surgery, back pain is something many people experience after a bilateral mastectomy. It's great that you're exploring ways to manage it!
Massage therapy can be helpful, but it's really important to get the green light from your doctor before trying it at this stage in your recovery. Your body is still Show Full Answer
Four weeks post-surgery, back pain is something many people experience after a bilateral mastectomy. It's great that you're exploring ways to manage it!
Massage therapy can be helpful, but it's really important to get the green light from your doctor before trying it at this stage in your recovery. Your body is still healing, and certain types of massage could interfere with that process. A MyBCTeam member shared a helpful tip about chest tightness after mastectomy: gently massaging the chest area (avoiding the suture line) with pure coconut oil helped with tightness and moisturized the skin. Another member found that getting a massage every other week helped with fascial pain — the layer over the muscle that can become stiff like scar tissue.
Some options worth discussing with your doctor include:
- Manual lymphatic drainage massage — A specialist can perform this, or teach you to do it yourself. It can help reduce swelling and pain.
- Physical therapy (PT) — A physical therapist can guide you through exercises suited to your specific needs and help relieve pain safely.
- Relaxation techniques — Deep breathing and meditation can also support pain management.
Always check with your care team before starting any massage or therapy to make sure it's safe for where you are in your recovery. You're doing great by being proactive! 💛
July 25
Join
Your Privacy Choices
