Supporting Your Recovery: Pre & Post-Operative Massage with Audrey

Surgery is a significant event for the body, whether it’s a C-section, joint replacement, or another planned procedure. While the focus is often on the surgery itself, how you prepare before and recover after plays a powerful role in your overall outcome.

At Realign Health Clinic, Audrey offers gentle, medically informed massage to support both phases of your journey. Helping you move, heal, and feel more like yourself again.

Why Massage Matters Around Surgery

Pre and post-operative massage isn’t about “fixing” the body, it’s about supporting it.

Tailored soft tissue and lymphatic drainage techniques can help:

• Manage discomfort

• Reduce swelling and inflammation

• Support circulation and healing

• Calm the nervous system

• Provide emotional and psychological support

• Offer education so you feel more confident in your recovery

It’s a whole-body approach to healing, not just the surgical site.

Preparing Your Body Before Surgery

If your procedure is scheduled, you have a valuable window to prepare.

A pre-surgery session with Audrey helps you:

• Build a trusted therapeutic relationship

• Understand what to expect during recovery

• Prepare your body physically (reducing muscle tension and improving tissue quality)

• Support your immune system

• Feel more emotionally grounded heading into surgery

Just like you’d prepare for a big sporting event, preparing your body for surgery can make a meaningful difference in how you recover. When appropriate, Audrey may also review your surgery plan or liaise with your medical team to ensure your care is aligned.

Understanding the Healing Process

Healing happens in stages, and your care should adapt accordingly:

• Inflammatory Phase (5-6 days): The body focuses on protection and inflammation. No direct work is done on the surgical site. Instead, gentle lymphatic drainage and calming techniques support circulation and reduce swelling.

• Proliferation Phase (3-4 weeks): As tissues begin to rebuild, treatment may include gentle work around the area, continued lymphatic support, and guidance on safe movement and stretching.

• Remodelling Phase (up to 2 years): This is where long-term recovery happens. Scar tissue can be addressed, mobility improved, and strength gradually rebuilt to support functional movement.

Is Massage Safe After Surgery?

Yes! With the right approach. In the early stages, treatment is intentionally gentle and works around the surgical site. As healing progresses, techniques evolve to match your body’s capacity.

Audrey is trained in Integrative Lymphatic Drainage (ILD) for pre and post-operative care and has additional training in areas such as mastectomy massage. This ensures your treatment is both safe and appropriate for your stage of recovery.

Your First Post-Op Session

We recommend booking a 90-minute Initial Post-Operative Lymphatic Drainage session.

This allows time to:

• Assess your physical and emotional state

• Understand your surgery and current healing phase

• Provide hands-on treatment without rushing

• Educate you on what to expect and how to support your recovery at home

When Can You Book?

You can book in with Audrey when:

• You have clearance from your medical team

• You’ve had a pre-op consult (or initial assessment with us)

In many cases, treatment can begin from day 1 post-surgery, depending on your individual situation.

Supporting Your Return to Movement

At Realign Health Clinic, we believe movement is medicine and that recovery is part of the journey. Whether your goal is to return to daily activities, care for your family, or get back into sport, the right support can make all the difference.

Ready to feel supported through your recovery? Chat with our team or book your pre or post-operative session with Audrey today.