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Massage therapy is used to prevent and treat physical dysfunction and pain through applying various manual techniques to the soft tissue of the body (muscles, connective tissue, or fascia) and joints.  It is recognized as a noninvasive therapy, which, when applied, has several highly beneficial effects.

Amputees often experience pain in muscles and joints that are not directly associated with the area of amputation. These areas are called “compensatory structures” because they are required to perform additional functions to compensate for limitations resulting from the amputation. This imbalance in muscle activity often results in muscular tightness, stiffness, and spasms, which may manifest in a variety of ways across different levels of amputation as well as different areas of each individual’s body.

Techniques in Massaging Your Residual Limb

Massage can be performed through your compression bandage or sock. A soft, gentle kneading motion works best, applying gentle pressure over the entire limb, including the sutured area. Once sutures are removed, pressure can be increased to access the deeper soft tissues and muscles. An effective massage lasts at least five minutes and can be done three to four times a day or even more if it helps to reduce phantom limb pain.

Forms of massage

Effleurage—Gentle stroking along the length of a muscle

Petrissage—Pressure applied across the width of a muscle

Friction—Deep massage applied by circular motions of the thumbs or fingertips

Kneading — Squeezing across the width of a muscle

Benefits of Massage Therapy

Massage therapy can produce short-term or long-term relief from a variety of symptoms. It is important to stress that even short-term relief can have a huge positive effect psychologically. Several studies suggest that massage therapy is also highly effective in reducing stress and anxiety and in increasing sleep duration – all important factors that can affect an amputee’s quality of life. 

Reported benefits of massage therapy include:

• Reduced swelling
• Increased circulation
• Less muscle stiffness
• Reduced scar tissue tightness
• Reduced spasms
• Increased muscle length
• Less pain
• Decreased anxiety and stress
• Longer sleep
• Increased relaxation

Common Amputee Conditions Treatable by Massage Therapy

• Phantom Limb Pain
• Residual Limb Pain
• Hypersensitivity
• Muscle Tightness, Stiffness, and Spasms (Contractures)
• Scar Tissue Effects (tightness, itching, or pain)
• Swelling
• Poor Blood Circulation

If you have further questions around massaging your residual limb speak to a physiotherapist, prosthetist or a member of your local peer-support team.