Rotator Cuff Recovery Guide · Plano, TX
A phase-by-phase guide for Plano athletes, and where certified, hands-only MLD fits around your surgeon and PT.
Book Recovery MLDWeek by Week
These are typical phases for general information. Your surgeon and physical therapist set your actual timeline.
Weeks 0–6
What usually happens: Sling most of the day, ice, and gentle passive range of motion with your PT. You can't actively lift the arm yet. Sleep is often hardest in this phase.
Where lymphatic drainage fits: With your surgeon's OK, gentle drainage toward the armpit and neck nodes, done seated or side-lying with the sling on. Maria never moves your arm beyond what PT allows.
Weeks 6–12
What usually happens: The sling comes off and you start lifting the arm yourself. Stiffness and swelling down the arm and into the hand are common.
Where lymphatic drainage fits: Often the most useful phase for MLD: 60-minute sessions for the shoulder, arm and hand, plus relief for the neck and upper back that compensate.
Weeks 12–16
What usually happens: Band and light weight work for the rotator cuff and shoulder blade muscles. Swelling can flare after harder sessions.
Where lymphatic drainage fits: Sessions as needed after flare-ups. A 120-minute session can add work on the opposite shoulder, neck and back.
Months 4–6
What usually happens: Progressive strengthening and, for athletes, early sport-specific drills when your PT clears them.
Where lymphatic drainage fits: MLD for swelling after new loads; sports massage can be added for the upper back, chest and neck once the shoulder tolerates pressure.
Months 6–12
What usually happens: Throwing, swimming, tennis, golf and lifting progress in stages. Timing depends on the tear size, the repair and your sport.
Where lymphatic drainage fits: Occasional recovery sessions around heavy training, tournaments or a new season.
For Plano Athletes
Bleu Massage is about 15 minutes from Legacy West, Arbor Hills Nature Preserve, Oak Point Park, the Chisholm Trail and the Medical City Plano and Texas Health Presbyterian Plano area. Book recovery sessions around work, training and PT without a long drive. Certified, hands-only MLD by Maria Her, LMT, CMLDT.
Recovering from knee surgery? See the ACL recovery guide. Other injuries: sports injury & post-surgery lymphatic drainage. Physical therapists can print a PT referral card.
Who Will Treat Me?
Licensed massage therapist (MT137227) and Certified Manual Lymph Drainage Therapist, trained by Klose Training in the Vodder technique (45 contact hours, written and practical exams). Every session is manual: hands only, no machines or devices.
Frequently Asked
Only with your surgeon's approval. Some surgeons allow very gentle drainage early in the sling phase; others prefer you wait until stitches are out. Bring written clearance to your first visit.
Swelling often travels down the arm into the hand after shoulder surgery. Gentle MLD moves fluid toward working lymph nodes, alongside ice, elevation and your PT, not instead of them.
Yes, with clearance. You'll be seated or side-lying with the sling on, and your arm isn't moved outside your PT limits.
No. Maria works around the portal incisions and never presses on the repair. Drainage is feather-light, on the skin, not deep in the shoulder.
Yes, with your surgeon's clearance: labrum (SLAP or Bankart) repairs, decompressions, and other arthroscopic shoulder procedures.
No. Heat and deep pressure aren't used on swollen or healing tissue. Every session is manual and feather-light.
Call your surgeon right away for fever, spreading redness, drainage from the incisions, sudden severe pain, new numbness, or arm swelling with chest pain or shortness of breath.
No. These are typical phases for general information. Your surgeon and physical therapist set your actual timeline and restrictions.
Related
60 or 120 minute sessions. Appointments confirmed within 24 hours.
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