Background and Accreditations

 

With my advanced certifications in Manual Lymph Drainage & Medical Massage, I have experience making significant contributions to hundreds of individuals both before and after elective or non-elective surgery. Enhanced comfort is always my goal, and I look forward to being of service to you during your transitional post-surgical phase and journey. My techniques are customized to help improve your healing process and speed recovery after surgery. My Manual Lymph Drainage, Post Surgical Massage, Scar Tissue Massage, Connective Tissue massage, Total Touch, and Myofascial Release will give you the solutions to recover faster. My Post Surgical Massage services are recommended regularly by some of New York's premier plastic surgeons and neurosurgeons. Among others, I currently work with plastic surgery referrals from: Dr. Ryan Neinstein, Dr. Chris Funderburk, Dr. Michelle Zweifler, Dr. Zach Okhah, Dr. Andrew Jacono, Dr. Jonathan Hilton Sherwyn, Dr. Alan Matarasso, Dr. Anna Steve,  Dr. Umbareen Mahmood, and Dr. Lauren Cassell. You do not need a physician's referral to receive Manual Lymph Drainage (MLD)or post-surgical massage, although clearance from your plastic surgeon or physician may be advisable in many cases and recommended for your benefit.

 

I am a licensed massage therapist and a graduate of the Swedish Institute of Health Sciences in 1983. Since then, I have had the opportunity to teach postgraduate classes at a variety of institutions, including the Swedish Institute and for the American Massage Therapy Association, where I taught postgraduate Medical Massage and Deep Muscle Therapy. I have also lectured with physicians from Sloan Kettering, Cornell, and Mount Sinai, and presented self-massage classes at The New York Road Runners Club. My lecture and presentation at Rockefeller University was “Self Massage for the Lymphedema Patient”. I worked with the outpatient department of Sloan Kettering for 10 years for cancer survivors and patients with cancer cleared for massage treatment.  I have also taught stress management and wellness courses for IBM. In addition, I developed a therapeutic aquatic exercise program for the YMCA, and my article, "Aquatics for the Lymphedema Patient," was published by the National Lymphedema Network. My training and certifications in Advanced Manual Lymph Drainage was extensive with Professors and Physicians from: The Dr. Vodder School  and the Foldi College for decongestive physiotherapy. I have treated primary and secondary Lymphedema for over 35 years and have expanded my treatments for craniotomy patients but mostly for plastic and reconstructive surgery patients. Time heals all, but sometimes we need additional help. Manual lymph drainage technique helps to support the body after surgery by reducing swelling, alleviating tissue irregularities, improving movement in the muscular system and enhancing your appearance by decongesting the skin from swelling. As a third-generation Massage Therapist and Healer, my experience and knowledge can help you heal faster than nature has intended!