Last Updated on March 20, 2026 by MASSAGE Magazine
Yes. Research shows that early physiotherapy—including manual lymph drainage and therapeutic massage—can significantly reduce the likelihood of secondary lymphedema following breast cancer surgery that involves axillary lymph node removal.
Lymphedema remains one of the most common long-term complications after breast cancer surgery. Swelling, discomfort and reduced arm mobility can develop months after treatment. For massage therapists trained in lymphatic work, this research highlights the potential role of carefully applied touch therapy in post-surgical recovery programs.
What Did the Study on Early Physiotherapy and Lymphedema Find?
A randomized clinical trial found that women who received early physiotherapy were far less likely to develop lymphedema within the first year after surgery compared with those who received education alone.
The study, titled “Effectiveness of early physiotherapy to prevent lymphoedema after surgery for breast cancer: randomised, single blinded, clinical trial,” involved 116 women who had undergone unilateral breast cancer surgery with axillary lymph node dissection.
Participants were randomly assigned to one of two groups:
- Intervention group: received manual lymph drainage, scar massage and assisted shoulder exercises, along with educational guidance.
- Control group: received the educational component only.
Both programs lasted three weeks, with three treatment sessions each week.
How Did the Researchers Measure Lymphedema?
The primary outcome was the development of clinically significant secondary lymphedema. Researchers measured arm circumference and compared the affected arm with the unaffected arm.
A diagnosis of lymphedema was defined as an increase in arm circumference of two centimeters or more at two adjacent measurement points.
Measurements were taken at several intervals:
- Four weeks after surgery
- Three months post-surgery
- Six months post-surgery
- Twelve months post-surgery
This long follow-up period allowed researchers to observe both early and delayed development of swelling.
What Were the Results After One Year?
The difference between the groups was striking.
At the twelve-month follow-up:
- 25 percent of women in the control group developed lymphedema.
- Only 7 percent of women in the intervention group developed lymphedema.
That means the condition occurred more than three times as often among participants who did not receive the physiotherapy program.
Arm volume measurements also showed meaningful differences. In the control group, the affected arm averaged about 5 percent larger than the unaffected arm. In the intervention group, the difference was less than 2 percent.
Researchers also noted that lymphedema appeared four times faster in the control group.
Why Does Early Manual Lymphatic Therapy Matter?
Early intervention helps the lymphatic system adapt after surgical disruption. When lymph nodes are removed, fluid drainage pathways can become compromised.
Manual lymph drainage and targeted physiotherapy techniques aim to support alternative lymphatic routes while maintaining tissue mobility. Scar massage and assisted shoulder movement may also prevent stiffness and encourage circulation in surrounding tissues.
According to the authors, early physiotherapy programs play a role in awareness, prevention, early diagnosis and treatment of secondary lymphedema following breast cancer surgery.
What Does This Research Mean for Massage Therapists?
Massage therapists who pursue training in manual lymphatic techniques may become valuable members of multidisciplinary care teams. While oncology massage and lymphatic work require specialized education, research like this shows how therapeutic touch can contribute to recovery after medical treatment.
Working with post-surgical clients also requires clear professional standards and appropriate training. Therapists who incorporate advanced techniques such as lymphatic drainage often review their massage liability insurance to confirm their practice is protected when working with medically complex conditions.
Responsible practice combines education, careful technique and professional protection.
Study Citation
Torres Lacomba M., Yuste Sánchez M.J., Zapico Goñi Á., Prieto Merino D., Mayoral del Moral O., Cerezo Téllez E., Minayo Mogollón E.
Effectiveness of early physiotherapy to prevent lymphoedema after surgery for breast cancer: randomised, single blinded, clinical trial.
Published in British Medical Journal (2010).
Institutions involved included the University of Alcalá in Madrid, Príncipe de Asturias University Hospital, the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, and Provincial Hospital in Toledo, Spain.
Why This Study Still Matters
Secondary lymphedema can affect quality of life long after breast cancer treatment ends. Early physiotherapy programs that include manual lymph drainage and therapeutic massage appear to reduce that risk significantly.
For massage therapists interested in clinical work, this research reinforces an important idea: skilled touch, applied carefully and at the right stage of recovery, can support long-term health outcomes.