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Getting massage at home while you recover

The recovery you were told to expect assumes you can get to appointments. For a lot of people that is exactly the part that does not work. This page is the general picture — there is a page of its own for new hips and knees.

At the studio — 3589 E Gulf to Lake Hwy, Inverness, inside Deb's Touch of Paradise Massage — and in-home visits as needed. If you cannot travel to the studio, that is what this page is for — arrange it with me directly rather than booking online, and we will sort it out on the phone. Florida licence MA78217.

See available times

There are a few things worth checking first

You do not need to get onto a table

I work on beds, in recliners and in wheelchairs. A hospital bed is easier for me, not harder. If lying flat is uncomfortable we work side-lying with pillows, and if sitting is all you can manage today, we work sitting.

Nothing about this requires you to get dressed, get into a car, or be presentable. That is the whole reason I work this way.

Manual lymphatic drainage

Manual lymphatic drainage is one of the techniques I practise, and in the early weeks after surgery it is usually the one I work with. Very light, very slow, nothing like deep tissue — a different technique with a different purpose, and comfortable.

Two honest caveats. Your surgeon clears you first, not me. And if you have diagnosed lymphedema, that is a specialist clinical scope and you want a certified lymphedema therapist rather than me.

Scar tissue and getting moving again

If your surgeon has included soft-tissue work in your plan once the incisions are closed, I follow it. If your doctor set that plan, I follow it and send them a written note after every session so they can see what changed.

How it goes, for this

  1. Before

    Your surgeon's answer, not mine

    Ask them specifically about soft-tissue work — when, and how close to the incision. Bring me what they said and I will work inside it.

  2. At the house

    No table required

    Bed, recliner or chair. Side-lying with pillows is usually the most comfortable position and there is nothing second-best about it.

  3. After

    A written note, if a doctor sent you

    What I found, what I worked, what changed since last time. So everyone is reading the same page.

Not sure I can work on you? Pick the one that fits.

I can get on a massage table

Then that is what we will use. It is set up and ready in the room — and at home, for my regulars, it goes up and goes away within the hour. Nothing for you to arrange.

Only my own bed

That is fine and it is common. I work alongside the bed and adapt the positioning to you — pillows under the knees, side-lying if lying flat is not comfortable. A hospital bed is easier for me, not harder.

My recliner

Good. Neck, shoulders, arms, hands, feet and lower legs all work well in a recliner, and for a lot of people that is where the pain actually is.

I use a wheelchair

We can work in the chair, or transfer to a bed or table if you transfer easily and want to. Tell me which on the phone and I will bring what suits.

A kitchen chair is all I have

That is all I need. I bring a proper seated setup — you stay fully clothed, and it is the same work through the neck, shoulders and back.

I am asking on behalf of someone else

Call me rather than booking online. I will want to know what they can and cannot do, whether there is a hospital bed, and who will be there. If they have a guardian, a healthcare surrogate or a power of attorney, tell me who holds it. You are welcome to stay in the room.

Still not sure? PHONE and describe the room. It takes two minutes and costs nothing.

Questions

How soon after surgery can I have a massage?

That is your surgeon's call, not mine, and it varies a lot by procedure — for many people the question first gets asked at the follow-up appointment two to six weeks afterwards. Ask them specifically about soft-tissue work and how close to the incision, then tell me what they said and I will work inside it, including nowhere near the site if that is what they want.

Can you come to a rehabilitation facility or an assisted living apartment?

Usually yes, with the facility's permission — some of them have their own requirements for anyone coming in to work. Call me before you arrange anything and we will find out together what theirs are.

Can my daughter book it for me?

Yes, and it happens often. Whoever calls, I will want to know what you can and cannot do, whether there is a hospital bed, and who will be there. Family are welcome to stay in the room.