In the 1960s, a study at Harvard Medical School showed that postoperative massage was beneficial in reducing pain and inflammation following total knee replacement surgery. Since then, several studies have been conducted to further investigate the potential benefits of postoperative massage.
A systematic review of the literature published in 2013 concluded that postoperative massage may be an effective modality for reducing pain, swelling, and improving range of motion and strength. In addition, it was observed that massage improves mood, reduces anxiety and improves the quality of life of patients.
In recent years, there has been increasing interest in postoperative massage in various surgical interventions. For example, studies have shown that massage can be beneficial for patients undergoing breast cancer surgery and joint replacements. Massage has also been used to improve outcomes after cardiac surgery, spinal fusion, and orthopedic procedures.
Overall, postoperative massage is a safe modality that can be used to reduce pain and inflammation, improve range of motion and strength, and speed healing. Although the potential benefits of this technique are still being investigated, it appears that it may be an important part of postoperative rehabilitation.