a community of practitioners

Appendectomy and Massage

Hi - I'm looking for guidance on when to massage a client who had an emergency appendectomy last Thursday, 10/11. My understanding is to wait six weeks after any surgery and to obtain physician approval. Is six weeks still the standard time to wait?

My other concern, as with any healing process, is blood clots and the possibility of dislodging one during massage. I know not to massage the incision area and to massage proximal to the incision. Any other guidelines?

Thanks!

Sheila LaSella, LMT

Fairfield, CT

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Carrie Patrick on October 16, 2012 at 2:11pm

I think this probably isn't a question that can be answered except in very general terms. I'd want to ask the client's physician directly for a time frame and any other recommendations that would apply specifically to the individual situation.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Gordon J. Wallis on October 16, 2012 at 3:49pm

Well Carrie is right, clear it with her physician. But on the other hand... If they can lay comfortably on the table, they can always enjoy a good foot massage. Neck and shoulder scalp and face massage...In my opinion, for a massage therapist to harm anyone. You would have to be brutal. But check with their physician.