I was diagnosed with right-side invasive breast cancer on 23 December 2008. As a divorced 46-year old mother of two, my first thought was - how am I going to convince my children that I am not going to die? My second thought was - how will I survive with only one breast?
Having undergone complex surgery to reconstruct my breast, I was well aware of the consequences - the scar tissue, the pain, the loss of feeling, the impact on posture as well as the more subtle but equally significant emotional and psychological consequences. In the immediate aftermath of surgery I was reluctant to have hands-on bodywork, in large part due to insecurities about my body. I felt like a woman when fully-clothed but I was still working on the undressed version.
However a positive experience with a massage practitioner who had experience in dealing with post -surgery patients allowed me to start to re-integrate myself and stop viewing my body in two halves - the areas directly affected by the illness and the other areas.
In the process of my own healing I have met many other survivors who all seem to describe the medical process as an "out of body experience", as if it were happening to someone else. Treatment from a skilled therapist can really help to bring you back into your own body which is an important step towards self-acceptance.
In my post-surgical massage practice I will treat your body as a whole, not just the areas directly affected by your surgery or treatment. I have the life experience and the therapeutic skills to help you on your way to your own self-acceptance and recovery.
All types of surgery and radiotherapy cause scarring and damage tissue, this effects the overall muscular balance and posture. Specialised massage techniques and movement therapy can help to realign and help towards restoring the damaged tissues and range of movement.
Breast massage is essential for anyone who has had any kind of breast surgery: augmentation, reduction or even a simple biopsy. All surgery and trauma to the breast and axilla causes scar tissue that can have an effect on the overall posture and efficiency of the muscular and upper limb function. After a breast augmentation it is essential to learn how to self-massage in order to prevent complications and hardening of the breast and also to aid good scar healing.
Even healthy breasts can benefit from massage as scarring and tension can build up over time from badly fitting bras, especially ones with under-wiring. Breast massage is not just beneficial for breast health, it can improve overall posture and help to relieve neck and shoulder tensions.
Anyone who has suffered from any cancer treatment involving surgery and/or radiotherapy can benefit from specialised mobilisation of the damaged tissues and specific gentle exercises to improve the overall health and function of the area.