FAQs

• What's delineates Soulstice therapists from other massage therapists?

  Soulstice therapists have decades of combined experience in the medical massage therapy field. We've now provided our innovated Peri-operative Therapy services for hundreds of surgical patients. Soulstice therapists incorporate highly specialized techniques that will be applied directly to the surgical site(s) reducing swelling, bruising, and scarring.

  Our therapists not only provide specialized hands-on techniques, but also provide a unique support system of care. We educate, monitor, encourage and support patients throughout their entire recovery process.

• Will my Peri-operative Therapy treatments be painful?

  Our philosophy is, "less pain, more gain".

  Your Peri-operative Therapy treatments should never be painful. We believe that patients have induced enough trauma to their body by actually going through a surgical procedure. If you decide to begin receiving your massage treatments the day following your surgery, for instance, our therapists work feather-light on your surgical areas. As you begin to heal over the following weeks, your massage therapist will begin to apply more pressure based on your sensitivity levels.

• Should I be taking my pain medication before my treatments?

  If someone has just received a surgical procedure, we recognize the necessity for pain medication.  When pain medication is no longer a medical necessity, we prefer that a patient to be completely aware of the Peri-operative Therapy and the sensations that accompany the treatment. The more that you are aware of what is happening during your session the faster and more efficiently you will recover.

• How often should I be receiving my Peri-operative Therapy treatments?

  This varies based on the type and complexity of procedure(s) that a patient has undergone.  On average, our Peri-operative Therapy clients receive 8 treatments. Preferably we like to see someone once prior to their surgery, to educate and prepare the soft tissue. Then, 7-10 days following the procedure, we will begin the series of follow-up treatments.

  A sample Peri-operative Therapy treatment schedule:

  Week One        3 appointments
  Week Two        2 appointments
  Week Three     1 appointment
  Week Four       1 appointment

  If an entire series of Peri-operative Therapy does not work for you, for whatever reason, remember that any treatment is better than nothing.  So, come and visit us at least for one treatment!

• My doctor has recommended Peri-operative Therapy to help with my recovery. Tell me, how do your services help?

  Physiologically: Peri-operative Therapy increases circulation bringing oxygen and nutrients to traumatized tissues. This type of stimulus will help reduce bruising, swelling, lymph edema (a type of swelling) and scarring.

  Psychologically: Peri-operative Therapy will help you feel supported throughout your entire recovery process, reducing feelings of depression and anxiety. Education helps you to understand what your body is going through, what's 'normal', and offers great peace of mind.

  Your body is an entire unit not just a sum of the parts! When you have a tummy tuck, for instance, the rest of your body experiences the experience too. Your Soulstice therapist will focus on your secondary areas of pain and dysfunction as it relates to your surgical procedure.

• How does Peri-operative Therapy differ from an ordinary massage treatment?

  Soulstice therapists are specialized experts within the Medical Massage Therapy industry. It can be very difficult, or perhaps impossible, to find massage therapists who are willing and able to work with surgical or trauma sites.

  Most massage therapists are afraid of inducing more harm by touching the areas of surgical trauma and therefore will avoid them at all cost. Our expert therapists, on the other hand, focus specifically on the surgical procedure to ultimately help you recover more efficiently and effectively.

  Soulstice Peri-operative therapists are specialty trained in our course, The Fundamentals of Peri-operative Therapy.  Soulstice, Ltd. is approved by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB) as a continuing education provider. 

• May I bring my spouse, friend, or partner to my appointment?

  We encourage it! In between your Peri-operative Therapy treatments, you will be encouraged to provide self massage therapy techniques. If you decide to bring a caregiver, spouse or partner to your appointment, your therapist will teach your caregiver the same or additional self-massage and stretching techniques for optimal healing.

  In addition, a patient may have some modesty issues around their surgical procedure(s). Bringing along a spouse or friend may make these situations more comfortable.

• It's been months since my surgery. Can I still benefit from Peri-operative Therapy?

  It's never too late to benefit from our specialized manual techniques.

  For instance, one of our previous clients received a breast augmentation 2 years prior to her initial Peri-operative
  Therapy appointment. She complained of tightness and implant immobility. We realized that she had been afraid of lying on her stomach for fear of bursting her implants.

  Through education we told her not to worry about bursting her implants, and that normal activity and movement was vital to soft and mobile implant function. Through a series of massage treatments, we were able to increase her mobility and range of motion as well as structural and muscle balance.

• I've just spent a great deal of money on my face-lift. I'm concerned that my Peri-operative therapist may stretch my skin back out again.

  Although our services may seem to be counterproductive in these situations, Peri-operative Therapy will actually help the skin maintain its elasticity and normal appearance. Following facial surgery, for instance, the skin will actually adhere to the underlying tissues creating a more 'stretched' and waxy appearance.  So, increasing blood circulation and lymph flow will help to normalize the soft tissue.

  Your Peri-operative therapist will always work within your comfort level. Be sure to communicate your concerns to us at all times.

• I would like to receive the series of recommended Peri-operative Therapy, but don't feel like I can afford all of them.

  Any treatment is better than no treatment. If you don't feel like you can afford the entire Peri-operative Therapy series, we recommend coming in at least for your first session. At that time we will spend more time educating you on how you can be more aggressive with your self at-home treatments.

• What's the medical proof that massage really works?

  Click here to read a published article on the subject