Video Introduction to a 6 Part Series, "Upper Body Myofascial Release Routines Also Great For Top Surgery Prep and Binding Care" Here is a document detailing what you can expect in the series: https://tinyurl.com/y2ohzhzo Did you find this helpful? Join my Patreon today at $10 or more a month to receive monthly video/audio content! https://www.patreon.com/bodyworkwithj One-time donations accepted via https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/bodyworkwithj Notes from this video: Things to consider: --Idea is to have body relaxed going into surgery: think: stretching, yoga, meditation, gentle swimming, baths, international breathing --When we lift weights, we build muscle by making small tears in the muscles and need recovery time (hence why it’s not recommended to lift both upper and lower body every day) -- We don’t want the muscles fatigued/aching going into surgery, so for two weeks going into surgery, think: expansion, fluidity, stretching, movement more than building muscle. -- Consider how after surgery, you will be having a lot of recovery time (not raising arms, sitting, laying down)....do things you can do now that you won’t be able to do after to create more room/spaciousness/ease in your body. Don’t forget your low body -- back, hips especially -- they will get fatigued from the sitting and laying down! -- The posture you exist in now is learned and reinforced by fascia, while emotionally and mentally, it may feel better and safer to open up chest and shoulders post surgery, physically, your body will still hold patterns pre-surgery that we can work on together before and after surgery. Effects from years of binding still linger in the body after top surgery -- good news is that we can retrain the body/lessen those patterns/create new ones to support you! If you are a person who likes to/can visualize what is happening in the body (to have an image of what we are disrupting), I imagine a “second binder” of fascia we can retrain that exists under the actual material binder --Prepare yourself now (mentally, physically, emotionally, for needing to lay on your back -- figure out your pillow system to prop your full back! --Have your care supplies ready -- compression shirts, steri-strips, products -- I use jojoba oil on clients for scar work since it is similar to the oil our skin produces, coconut oil, sesame oil can also be nice, folks have different opinions about vitamin E, a trans chiropractor I’ve seen speak has recommended (very expensive an anti-aging cream of all things for its effects), I know others who use CBD oils and creams, Rose or Primrose Oil, TeaTree Oil, Scarguard, etc. --Do listen to your body and make sure you have clear instructions from the doctor about the process of re-integrating raising your arms. Folks who raise too quickly/too far/reach for something quick or lift something too heavy, etc. might end up slowing the recovery process overall if they pull the scar too much too soon and that can create extra scar tissue/fascial patterns to address over the long run

Video 6 from a 6 Part Series, "Upper Body Myofascial Release Routines Also Great For Top Surgery Prep and Binding Care" Here is a document detailing what you can expect in the series: https://tinyurl.com/y2ohzhzo Please note, at 4:24, when I said "deltoid, tricep area," I meant to say "deltoid, bicep area." Sorry for the confusion! This video includes arm circles, rows, and other movements, side-body twists, a Child's Pose variation that stretches the triceps, a seated version of Cat Cow, and a Contract and Release Exercise that helps release the area between your shoulder blades. Did you find this helpful? Join my Patreon today at $10 or more a month to receive monthly video/audio content! https://www.patreon.com/bodyworkwithj One-time donations accepted via https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/bodyworkwithj