I had surgery a few months ago. Do I need to get a Doctor's clearance before getting a massage or can I just ask them to avoid that area?

asked Aug 20, 2014 by anonymous

You can get a dr release if you want but since you are months out of surgery you are probably just fine. Massage therapy promotes healing so it would be benifical for you!
Pam Ramsey LMT
Massage Instructor

commented Sep 8, 2014 by anonymous

I always ask for a release after any surgery or hospitalization.
2 reasons....protects the client and myself and gains respect of a Dr.

commented Sep 15, 2014 by anonymous

Like many other ailments, people are not properly informed about the reality of sleep apnea, especially if they have never dealt with it before. Many people begin to develop this issue later in life and are unaware of how to reduce problems with it- that is where this article comes in with useful tips!

Skip sleeping pills if you are prone to bouts of sleep apnea. You may feel you need them to get to sleep, but they have a similar effect as alcohol on the body. They also have additional side effects besides the obvious ones. Stay away if you want to lessen your sleep apnea symptoms.

If you have sleep apnea, yet you drink alcohol and smoke cigarettes, quitting could alleviate your symptoms. Both smoking and drinking promote relaxation of the airways causing sleep apnea and excessive snoring. If you avoid these things, it may help your sleep apnea.

Improve your sleep apnea by slimming down a bit. Recent research showed dramatic improvements in overweight men who shed 25 pounds over a period of one year to reduce sleep apnea symptoms. In some cases, the weight loss resulted in a cure of sleep apnea where no further treatment of the condition was necessary.

Sleeping at a high altitude can worsen your sleep apnea because of the lower levels of oxygen. If you are going to a place located higher than what you are used to, take a CPAP machine with you. The best thing to do would be to completely avoid high altitude.

Clear up your nasal passage before heading to bed. If you suffer from sleep apnea and have problems with a "stuffed up" nose, using a nasal spray or device can help clear your nasal airway. This is not a permanent solution, but one you can use when your apnea symptoms are the worst.

Remember to keep your medical ID upon your person if you make use of a CPAP for your sleep apnea. If you are in need of medical attention, it is important that the people helping you realize you have sleep apnea and use CPAP therapy. With your ID you can inform medical personnel about your sleep apnea and your CPAP device.

Avoid any type of drugs or alcohol if you are experiencing any type of sleep apnea. Drugs and alcohol will slow down your respiratory system, and that is known to be one of the causes of sleep apnea. If you are struggling with this issue, try to get some professional help to overcome these addictions.

If simple changes in your lifestyle, such as regular sleep hours and losing weight, have not eliminated your sleep apnea episodes, it is time to consult with a sleep specialist. The specific causes of your sleep apnea can be evaluated, and an individual treatment plan can be designed for you.

Learning more about sleep apnea is important because knowledge can help put your mind at ease. Take the information you have learned in this article and talk to your doctor about it. He or she can then better help you more easily when you know more about this disorder yourself.

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commented Mar 19, 2017 by anonymous

4 Answers

In if done properly. Lymorder to answer this question properly I would like to know what the surgery was for. Massage therapy is a great way to help heal surgery sites if done properly. You do not need a doctors release or prescription unless you are goint through insurance.

answered Sep 8, 2014 by Mrs. Dawn Spagnolo, MMT, LMT (140 points)

Whether you should consult your doctor depends on the type of surgery your had. As a general rule you should consult your doctor just to be on the safe side.
Wendell Harris

commented Sep 8, 2014 by anonymous

When in doubt get clearance from your doctor for your peace of mind and for the peace of mind of the massage therapist. Some massage therapist may not be familiar with the underlying reason you had surgery and may not know how to proceed. For instance, a person may have heart failure and have a pacemaker or a defibrillator implanted. The therapist would definetely need clearance from the physician and may have to avoid the client's left upper torso to avoid any adverse reactions along with using very light pressure. As a RN and a massage therapist I would advise you to err on the side of caution and check with your physician.

answered Sep 15, 2014 by S. Minor, RN, LMT (140 points)

If the area is still giving you concern then by all means get clearance from your doctor. Usually if it's months since the surgery there shouldn't be a problem. Before each session I spend time talking with my clients to find out what is going on not only physically but also emotionally with them. In some cases it's best to stay away from an area and in other cases that's the area that needs the work most. Each person is diffferent and each massage session is customized to that persons needs.

answered Oct 10, 2014 by Colleen Quinn, LMT, NCMT (530 points)

As a Licensed Massage Therapist/Instructor/CEU Provider in TX, I require a Client InTake form and if there is a recent surgery indicated (usually less than 9 months and depending on the surgery) then doctor's release after surgery is required for two reasons:

#1 If a surgery is listed, I want to know--What type of surgery? How long ago? (If 9 months or less, I defnitely require a doctor's release as I do not wish to hurt or cause any further damage to the client.) I would also like to discuss the surgery with the doctor to see what their aspect is on massage post-surgery in order to work in that area.) My son had a kidney transplant a year ago and where the "new" kidney is positioned (right superior inguinal border of the anterior hip) deep tissue massage is definitely contraindicated.

Also you must remember that post-surgery, you could still have DVT or other vascular issues depending on the type of surgery for several months if not years, and if there were any complications post-surgery, you need to be aware of them. Should a blood clot break loose and travel through the body, it could cause a stroke or heart attack. It is better safe than sorry for both the client and the therapist involved. Are they still on blood-thinners, anti-seizure meds, etc. that were prescribed post-surgery? If you are on blood thinners, warfarin, coumadin, etc. it increases your chances for bleeding, bruising and vascular damage as a result of too deep of a pressure, etc.

#2 Also, should any massage therapist perform a massage post-surgery without a doctors release and create an "issue" for you, the client, our insurance company may not cover the claim. Remember that we are a lawsuit happy nation and it is best to CYA-"cover your assets" in any case.

Hope this helps with your question! Best wishes--

Be Blessed!

answered Oct 23, 2014 by Ms. Cynthia "Cindy" Frahm, LMT, LMTI, CEP (270 points)

I had surgery a few months ago. Do I need to get a Doctor's clearance before getting a massage or can I just ask them to avoid that area?

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4 Answers