4-step SCAR MASSAGE after Breast Cancer Surgery - Key for RECOVERY!

Scar Massage is an essential part of recovery after breast cancer surgery. This video details the exact steps to follow to massage your lumpectomy or mastectomy scars after surgery.
➡️ FREE Stretching Guide - breast-cancer-rehab.ck.page/s...
➡️ Printable Step-By-Step GUIDES for Post-Surgery Rehab & Common Side Effects - breastcancerrehab.myshopify.com
Scar massage is important for more reasons than you think:
✅ Helps incisions heal smoother and flatter
✅ Reduces pain and tension
✅ Improves shoulder motion and function
✅ Helps reduce cording symptoms
✅ Scar desensitization
The 4-step process for Scar Massage:
1️⃣ Zig zag or Up & Down
2️⃣ Circular
3️⃣ Side to Side
4️⃣ Tensioning
Also covered - Scar massage for:
☑️ Your underarm area where lymph nodes were removed
☑️ Helping reduce CORDING symptoms
AND:
✔️ When to start scar massage?
✔️ How often and how long?
✔️ Cautions?
✔️ What should it feel like?
✔️ What cream to use?
✔️ How deep to apply pressure?
❇️ For bras post-mastectomy and beyond - www.prairiewear.com/ERICA10 (save 10%)
My favourite rehab & recovery products - amazon.com/shop/breastcancerrehab
🔅 Enjoying my videos? If you want to show some love and support consider contributing to “Buy Me a Coffee” - www.buymeacoffee.com/drerica
⭐️ RELATED VIDEOS:
- Essential STRETCHES after Surgery & Radiation (chest, underarm & shoulder) - • Essential Breast Cance...
- Rehab Exercises 0-3 weeks Post-surgery - • Breast Cancer EXERCISE...
- Rehab Exercises 3-6 weeks Post-surgery - • Breast Cancer EXERCISE...
- Rehab Exercises 6+ weeks Post-surgery - • Breast Cancer EXERCISE...
- Cording 101 - • CORDING After Breast C...
- Cording Treatment - • CORDING After Breast C...
- Self-Massage Radiation Fibrosis - • Self-Massage for Radia...
Some of the products are affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

[@breast-cancer-rehab]

Let me know if there are any topics that you'd like me to cover in a future video

[@BubbleBurster-nv1vl]

Is there anything you can use to avoid radiation burn? I'm tempted to use an SPF 50 cream ... .

[@breast-cancer-rehab]

@@BubbleBurster-nv1vl My apologies, I missed this comment earlier. My hospital gave me Proshield (a barrier cream) near the end of radiation and that was helpful. I used a fragrance-free water based cream that I already had at home throughout treatment before my skin got bad. I didn’t know at the time what other alternatives there were. Had I known I would have used Eucerin, Aquaphor or CeraVe (kit.co/BreastCancerRehab/breast-cancer-creams-for-radiation-post-surgery). I don’t think an SPF will help as a radiation burns aren’t a true sunburn.

[@davidking3699]

I realise that this channel is very much for women and breast scarring issues from surgery, but as a male, who, 47 years ago at age 13, was diagnosed with gynecomastia and had both breast buds removed, I have suffered all that time with scarring issues, almost always on the left side, under and around the nipple... I was young, and am not sure what the operation involved - removal of anything else like lymph nodes or such, although I don't think so...I can feel the gristle and strands under the skin, extending under the pec muscle, around the side to the lat muscle, up into the arm pit, and down over a few ribs below the nipple... I had two theories as to why this one side was always troublesome, but my GP dismisses them, so I just literally bruise myself trying to relieve the feelings I get by applying pressure and rolling the lumps and gristle around - nothing ever shows up on an ultrasound, so I am left in the dark, on my own, outside the system that might otherwise be available to me if I was a female... I thank you for this video, and I will try a few of those techniques - I know I am an outlier (and outsider really to this breast care community) but it is my issue and I will seek to find relief from it everyday... I have had some relief with cupping along and over the scar too - seems to lift it up and help break the adhesions to any other structure or underlying tissues - castor oil is effective in softening the scar tissue and lightening or diminishing the appearance - I mix 1:1 castor oil and almond oil (Vit E) and a couple of drops of essential oil and use that. The castor oil is quite thick, and a little hard to use as a massage oil alone, but applied sparingly regularly even without the massage (like before bed) it seems to continue to work away at the scar tissue... I hope my castor oil tip is useful for others dealing with much bigger scars and adhesions than I am...

[@breast-cancer-rehab]

@davidking3699 Thanks for your comment and the details. Scar tissue or myofascial type pain never shows up on Ultrasound. Pretty frustrating because then it seems like there’s nothing wrong, even though there definitely is. I do make these videos to pay it forward to other breast cancer thrivers, but they’re also for anyone that can benefit from the information… hopefully that will be you. You didn’t mention about getting any type of hands-on release to the muscles or scars. If you haven’t already, I would definitely consider it as a practitioner will be able to get in there much easier and deeper than you can do on your own, especially given how long you’ve been having issues. Best of luck with your improvement!

[@catherinetolentino3477]

I have been following your channel since August last year just days after I had my mastectomy with LAT Flap reconstruction. And I learned more from watching your videos than from talking to my doctors who always seem to be in a hurry. Your videos on post-surgery exercises were the ones that helped me gain my range of motion faster. Thanks a lot!!!

[@breast-cancer-rehab]

Wow, so happy to hear the videos have been so impactful. Wishing you continued improvement!

[@eileengraybill907]

Thank you so much for the tutorial, I did not get much information from the doctors office on what to do after surgery. So I talked to my niece( who had implants who sent me your link, Thank God! My implants were put in after my bilateral mastectomy, my surgery was Oct 12 and they are very hard, I know now it is probably scar tissue and what to do. I really appreciate your video! It is an excellent tool for rehab and Thank you again!

[@breast-cancer-rehab]

You’re most welcome! Consistency is key to see changes especially if your implants feel hard. Doing some of the rehab videos can help with the tension too.

[@ReneeSaifer]

Really appreciate your videos. My breast reduction doctor did not give me any instructions for massage and scar pain. I have under arm and under breast incisions and pain. Just a week of watching and doing the massage methods you suggest have really helped my range of motion and definitely reduced the pain and tension. Thank you so much. I highly recommend this.

[@breast-cancer-rehab]

Thanks again for this feedback! Glad you’re getting so much out of the videos.

[@jasminaalm]

New sub! Thanks so much for this !

[@breast-cancer-rehab]

Welcome Beverly! Hope the videos help with your recovery.

[@zibusisotshuma6271]

Thank you for the advice

[@breast-cancer-rehab]

No problem!

[@tanyaenglish2526]

Thank for this. Very, very helpful

[@breast-cancer-rehab]

Glad it was helpful!

[@user-yz4kw8zs4d]

It's good to know it's never too late to start this! I love bio and coconut oils to use for massage.

[@carolwilson2713]

Thank you for this very well presented explanation!

[@breast-cancer-rehab]

You’re welcome Carol! I hope it helps with your recovery.

[@msdemoore]

Thanks!

[@breast-cancer-rehab]

That’s my first Super Thanks! I appreciate it. All the best with your recovery.

[@crispykmm9646]

Great video and well explained.I have already shared this to my Sutherland Shire breast cancer support group.Thank you for good quality information.Even more powerful since you have been through it yourself and have proffessional qualifications and experience.

[@breast-cancer-rehab]

Thank you so much for passing this along! Much appreciated so that it will help more women.

[@maomao6860]

Hi, Erica, you have an excellent channel and you are an excellent teacher! Every question about a topic I have, you address in your videos in a logical and orderly fashion! I found myself constantly going back to your channel for issues popping up in my recovery. You are a blessing to me!

[@breast-cancer-rehab]

Wow, thank you for the feedback! It’s actually been quite helpful for my own recovery to pass this information along to other women. I wish someone had told me all of this while I was going through treatment. Wishing you well with your recovery.

[@nanaycooks5800]

Thank you. I will start that massage tip❤❤❤

[@breast-cancer-rehab]

Great, give an update when you see progress.

[@deshope0303]

I appreciate this info and presentation. It’s very helpful to know how I should proceed after explant.

[@breast-cancer-rehab]

All the best with your recovery Desiree after explant surgery.

[@kitchenlady948]

I had a dmx and just removed implants I now have my own tissue ( diep flap) and have a lot of had spots, thank you for sharing!!

[@breast-cancer-rehab]

I’m glad you found this video. Scar massage will be really helpful for you after DIEP surgery. All the best with your recovery after such a big surgery.

[@janroberts1815]

Love your video, After my mastectomy for breast cancer two years ago I will be following you My scar has always felt very tight, since using silicone strips it has felt a lot better

[@breast-cancer-rehab]

It will take time but you can still see some improvement with scar massage even though it’s been a while since your surgery. Best of luck!

[@098horserider]

Thank you for all this information as I wasn’t told about massaging so this is hopefully going to help the tightness and discomfort I feel from my double mastectomy

[@breast-cancer-rehab]

I’m glad you found the channel and this information. There’s lots more resources to help with the tightness/discomfort.

[@098horserider]

Just trying to do the massage and stretching exercises. Everything just seems so right on the left side and then when it gets tight across the chest the neck starts getting stiff and then the back aches too. Any other stretches you can suggest or massages

[@breast-cancer-rehab]

@@098horserider Reducing pain and tension will take time. If you haven’t done the rehab exercise series after surgery this can help - kzbin.info/aero/PLALVgJH_QhhhxC3pzZ3JgkhpJhh_g6FCW&si=K4pLDR-cHBzm7HjY. If your resources allow, seeing a physio/massage therapist for some hands-on treatment would help supplement the exercises/stretches.

[@roseoliver7179]

I do this all the time to keep it up and scar massages still because sometimes I still feel tight because of not moving my arm all the time because of not feeling well because of other reasons

[@breast-cancer-rehab]

That's great to keep this up if you're still noticing tension.

[@lgspeical7879]

Wow you are soo helpful. i know your not a dr. but when we go thru stuff like this we learn. Maybe consider getting a job at a surgeons' office or obgyn's, office because you are so good. I love how you explain how to do the actually massage you show on yr arm. what is "cording"? is cording the scar tissue connecting to other tissue and muscles and pain associated? i am subscribing, to yr channel to help you reach other women thank you for helping us. I am so appreciative of you!

[@breast-cancer-rehab]

Thanks for the feedback. I’m able to reach a lot of women sharing these videos online. See my other videos on cording.

[@AnneS508]

Really helpful! My oncologist told me I should start massage. Unfortunately, I was never very comfortable touching my breasts before my cancer and now I feel a real heebie-jeebieness touching the scar area with the indent from my lumpectomy. Just feels so weird. Not sure how to get over this. Has anyone else had this difficulty? How do you overcome this?

[@breast-cancer-rehab]

You're definitely not the only one experiencing this - I've heard this from other women too. I was fortunate not to have this issue. I'm used to doing hands-on treatment for my work so I don't view releasing my scar/breast as being any different than releasing my shoulder. But I know this isn't the case for everyone. Baby steps can help. Try a minute of scar massage rather than 5 min. Also try one of the strategies rather than all of them - eg: circular pattern only. I have found that self-massage helps mentally with accepting whatever the new changes are to your breast after surgery. Good luck!

[@melissakirk6545]

I removed my implants 4 weeks ago due to Breast Implant Illness and went with a flat closure. I still have quite a bit of fluid build up. Would adding the scar massage aid or hinder the healing and fluid absorption? Not sure when I should start. Thanks!

[@breast-cancer-rehab]

Melissa, I usually wait until 6-8 weeks after surgery for scar massage. Seeing a massage therapist who does lymphatic massage would help with the fluid build up. At this point you could also do general breast massage (the whole chest but not your incisions) to promote movement of the fluid.

[@maureendelgaudio3246]

Where are you located? I live in So California- I need someone like you to help me! I had bilateral breast cancer - and got lymphedema- surgery in 2019

[@breast-cancer-rehab]

I’m in Canada! See if your hospital has a list of practitioners that they refer to in the community. I had lymphedema too. It’s on my list of upcoming videos to make.

[@music2vc]

What about the messages + cupping therapy ? Do you recomend it??

[@breast-cancer-rehab]

Yes, massage and cupping will both be helpful. I did massage after my double mastectomy and reconstruction surgery and continue to do maintenance treatment. I did cupping for my scars in addition to doing cupping for cording and radiation fibrosis.

[@raniakhamis967]

had my silicone implants removed 8 months ago and started fractional laser sessions to improve the scars. Will it help me in improving the shape of the scar?

[@breast-cancer-rehab]

Out of my area of expertise - sorry! Hope it helps.

[@donnaeiler3179]

My breast lumpectomy has a ridge of scar tissue but it don’t hurt. The lump you mentioned in the auxiliary scar is very tender. No cording or lymphedema that I can tell

[@breast-cancer-rehab]

Donna - it would still helpful to release scar tissue even if it’s not painful. Hoping you don’t get cording/lymphedema!

[@penniewyatt9391]

Same, it’s still helpful to do the massage, I’m one month post op, but I could really feel it when I just had a bone scan that required me to have my arm over my head for 15 minutes. My scar got really sore, when normally it’s numb.

[@KarenParks-dh9vn]

Any advice on the scar tissue that seems to have filled the space where tissue was removed during lumpectomy and reduction?

[@breast-cancer-rehab]

Great question! That's a normal process for scar tissue to fill in there as a response to healing. You can try the same pattern of scar massage on this area as covered in the video.

[@KarenParks-dh9vn]

Thank you! Really happy to have found your series

[@teacherfaq918]

Really great video. My doc didnt ask me to massage my scars the one on breast and other in armpit. Can you guide me when should i massage the scars as i am currently undergoing radiation treatment? Secondly the scar in my armpit is numb i dont feel anything but i do feel tenderness on my breast

[@breast-cancer-rehab]

You’ll want to avoid doing any scar massage during and for a few weeks after radiation until your skin isn’t as irritated. It’s normal to have numbness in your underarm scar.

[@teacherfaq918]

@@breast-cancer-rehab ❤️

[@teresa8363]

How soon do you these exercises after DMX?

[@breast-cancer-rehab]

In general after your incisions are completely healed, which means fully closed. I started around 6-8 weeks after my double mastectomy. Check with your surgeon to see when it’s best for you to start.

[@sggestal06]

I decided to take the expanders out and no implants. Im not flat, but puckered from the scar. How long will doing this smooth it out?

[@breast-cancer-rehab]

This is hard to say as I haven’t assessed you. Ending up with a smoothed out appearance will depend how much puckering there is.

[@lisat9802]

My scar tissue from lumpectomy and lymph node removal is still painful and restricting mobility almost 4 yrs later, will doing your methods help even now? I have no way to travel to a PT for treatment. So need to do what ever I can at home. Thanks in advance for any information. I also had 35 radiation treatments and now have moderate lymphedema

[@breast-cancer-rehab]

Lisa - Yes, you can still see benefit even if it's been a few years! Improvement will be slower but it will still be worth the effort. This stretching series will help in addition to the scar massage - kzbin.info/aero/PLALVgJH_Qhhi6FUfIU3Dj7aRrt3hPUcC1

[@breast-cancer-rehab]

Lisa - you can also work your way through these rehab exercises even though they start after surgery. If you're still having issues 4 yrs post-surgery it would be good to start from the beginning. - kzbin.info/aero/PLALVgJH_QhhhxC3pzZ3JgkhpJhh_g6FCW

[@lisat9802]

@@breast-cancer-rehab Thank you so very much!

[@MariaAntoinetteF]

That looks rough and painful

[@breast-cancer-rehab]

It's not as painful as you would expect because sensation in the breast area is significantly reduced after a mastectomy.

[@MariaAntoinetteF]

I didnt have a mastectomy so this might not be for me.

[@breast-cancer-rehab]

You can do scar massage on ANY scars post-surgery (incisions for lumpectomy, mastectomy, port, drains or autologous reconstruction sites).

[@KarenParks-dh9vn]

Any advice on the large, seemingly deep, scar tissue that filled the space of the removed tissue in lumpectomy and reduction?