Commonly Asked Questions About Peri-Operative Therapy
Soulstice therapists have decades of combined experience in the medical massage therapy field. Since the start of our business, we've provided Peri-operative Therapy for thousands of surgical patients. Soulstice therapists incorporate highly specialized techniques that will be applied directly to the surgical site(s) reducing swelling, bruising, and scarring.
Our therapists not only provide specialized hands-on techniques, but also provide a unique support system of care. We educate, monitor, encourage and support patients throughout their entire recovery process.
Our philosophy is, "less pain, more gain". Your Peri-operative Therapy treatments should never be painful. Our clients have experienced enough bodily trauma simply by having the surgery.
For example, if a client begins receiving Peri-operative Therapy treatments the day following surgery, our therapists will work feather-light on and around the surgical site to encourage lymphatic flow. This delicate touch promotes faster healing by stimulating the body's immune system and improving circulation to traumatized tissues.
As the client begins to heal over the following weeks, your therapist's approach will evolve to accommodate the individual's recovery. The therapist may apply additional techniques, always appropriate to the stage of healing and progress. Each client's recovery is tailored individually, ensuring that they receive optimal care for their own surgical experience.
If someone has just received a surgical procedure, we recognize the probability and necessity for pain medication. Pain medication will reduce a client's physical awareness of the treatment they are receiving; however, our Peri-operative Therapists understand this, and will always provide the appropriate level of treatment and care.
When pain medication is no longer a medical necessity, we prefer that a client be entirely aware of the Peri-operative Therapy they are receiving and the sensations that ensue. The more that a client is aware of what is happening during their session the faster and more efficiently they will recover.
Frequency varies on the type and complexity of a client's surgical procedure(s) . On average, our Peri-operative Therapy clients receive about 10 treatments. Preferably we like to meet someone once prior to their surgery. This introductory session will provide education, establish therapist rapport, and prepare the soft tissue for the surgical procedure. We suggest starting the series of post-op treatments 7-10 days after the surgery.
Here's a sample Peri-operative Therapy treatment schedule:
Week One - 3 appointments
Week Two - 2 appointments
Week Three - 1 appointment
Week Four -1 appointment
Peri-operative Therapy will help you feel supported throughout your entire recovery process by providing substantial physiological and psychological benefits.
Physiologically - Peri-operative Therapy increases circulation bringing oxygen and nutrients to traumatized tissues, and stimulates lymph flow. This type of stimulus will help reduce bruising, swelling, lymph-related edema (a type of swelling) and scarring.
Psychologically - Peri-operative Therapy reduces feelings of depression and anxiety, both common side effects of surgical trauma. Soulstice therapists provide education, helping you to understand what your body and mind are experiencing, normalizing the fears and mysteries of surgical recovery, and providing piece of mind.
All of these benefits combine to help with a clients desire for quick recovery. Our Peri-operative therapists chart out a path of recovery, so that the conscious and the physical aspects may heal in unison. Soulstice has supported, guided and encouraged thousands of patients throughout their surgical recovery process, and we look forward to helping you.
Surgical procedures are traumatic. Each and every procedure has its own physical and psychological challenges. Because of this, it may be very difficult to find a massage therapist who is willing and able to work with surgical or trauma sites. Both the therapist and the client may be afraid of causing harm.
Fortunately, Soulstice therapists are specialized experts within the medical massage therapy industry, with invaluable training and experience in managing the delicate nature of trauma recovery. Our expert Peri-operative Therapists focus specifically on the surgical site, providing individualized care for each client. Ultimately, Peri-operative Therapy will help you recover more efficiently and effectively following your surgical procedure.
Soulstice Peri-operative Therapists are specialty trained in our course, The Fundamentals of Peri-operative Therapy. Soulstice, Ltd. is approved by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB) as a continuing education provider.
We encourage it! If you decide to bring a caregiver, spouse or partner to your appointment, your therapist will teach your caregiver at-home care techniques.
In addition, a client may have modesty issues surrounding their surgical procedure(s). Bringing along a spouse or caregiver may make these situations more comfortable.
It's never too late to benefit from our specialized manual techniques.
A great example of this is our client Sara. Sara had undergone breast augmentation 2 prior to before contacting Soulstice. She complained of chest tightness, bad posture and the lack of implant mobility. What we discovered is that Sara hadn't laid on her stomach and chest, ever since her surgery for fear of implant rupture! By using a variety of Peri-operative Therapy techniques, Sara learned that normal activity and movement, and even laying on her chest, is important to living healthy with implants.
A common misconception is that scar tissue is stronger than skin. Scar, especially old scar tissue, is weaker and brittle because the fibers that compose it are disorganized. Scar tissue has little to no circulation keeping it healthy. With the aid of a Soulstice therapist, you may achieve a positive recovery from even an old surgical procedure
Although our services may seem counterproductive in this circumstance, Peri-operative Therapy will actually help the skin maintain its’ elasticity and normal appearance. Following facial surgery, for instance, the skin will actually adhere to the underlying tissues creating a more 'stretched' and waxy appearance. So, increasing blood circulation and lymph flow will help to normalize the soft tissue.
Your Peri-operative therapist will always work within your comfort level. Be sure to communicate your concerns to us at all times.
Any treatment is better than no treatment! If money is an issue, we recommend coming in at least for one treatment. The benefit of even one appointment with a Soulstice therapist lies in the education. Along with receiving the positive effects of Peri-operative Therapy, you will also receive education from your therapist on how to care for yourself. This at-home instruction allows you to take charge of your own healing while gaining a better understanding of all aspects of your recovery process.
"Knowledge is experience. All the rest is just information." How a client will respond and react to any type of surgery is truly unknown until the patient undergoes their surgery. Afterwards, many patients are left to fend for themselves without the support of friends, family or loved ones. The patient's usual 'supporters' either haven't been told about the modest surgical procedures, or simply unable to support and encourage the patient because they don’t know how to offer appropriate help.
Soulstice has supported, guided and encouraged hundreds of patients throughout their surgical recovery process. Our therapists understand issues such as post-operative depression and procedure second-guessing and help clients see and feel the signs of recovery. We are another pair of eyes and ears during each session and can communicate any concerns to the referring provider when necessary.
Patients desire a quick recovery. Physical bodies, on the flip side, have their own recovery agenda. These two parts usually have very different timetables. Soulstice helps chart out the path of recovery, so that the conscious and the physical aspects may heal in unison.
Surgical procedures are traumatic for our bodies. Each and every procedure has its own physical challenges. Soulstice educates the patient on proper ways to exercise, stretch, and be aware of postural issues that may arise from their surgery.