Hello Scoopie,
Ah, the dreaded Turkey neck look. Been there : ). Yes, there is a gentle massage that is helpful along with a few easy steps to help prevent the fluid build up in the neck.
I was roughly out of treatment 2-3 months when my neck seemed to get worse instead of better. Swollen and tight. I mentioned my problem to my Radiation Oncologist and he sent me to the Cancer Physical Therapist at the same Hospital. After meeting with the CPT, he asked if I wanted to try the Therapy at that hospital or one closer to me. I said closer to me. He said there are allot of Physical Therapists out there, but for me to find one that deals with Lymphodema.
I was lucky and found a Cancer Physical Therapist at our local Hospital. The lady Therapist showed me how to do the gentle circular massage around my face, neck, shoulders, along the back ( Lats ) and stomach area. It take roughly 5 minutes to do and the results last 4-6 hours. Depending on your activity during the day.
Some helpful tips she gave me were the following. Cut out as much salt as possible. The salt retains the water in us and the fluid builds up around our neck. Also, any time we do any heavy lifting with our arms and shoulders will cause the fluids of the lymph system to collect there.
Lying flat while sleeping will also cause the fluids to collect around our neck and face. We need to sleep in a elevated position when possible. Our face and neck should be higher than our heart level. Several pillows can help, or you can purchase a foam wedge that you can position under your pillows to elevate your head and neck.
Some stretching exercises also help to eliminate some pressure around the neck.
Sit or stand and keep your shoulders straight. Then with your mouth closed look up at the ceiling or sky as far as you can and hold for a 10 count or 10 seconds. Return to the start position and then look to the right as far as you can and hold again for 10. Then to the left, same count. Return to looking forward. Then, while looking forward, tilt your head to the left as if you are trying to get your left ear to touch your left shoulder, hold for 10 and then do the same for the right side. That is the easy exercise I was shown to stretch my neck.
The gentle massage is a easy, but to type how to do it may not give you the correct information and once shown, it is easy to pick up. I went 4 times to the Therapist and she said I was doing it correctly. They want to see how you look after a few sessions to make sure it is working. Some patients require special clothing to wear around the head and neck at night to help. But if we are able to get the lymph fluids to move, we may not need these. I am lucky that don't need them.
The massage I do starts at the chin. I place 2-3 fingers at my chin and make small circular motions for 6-10 times in that spot. Move your fingers up the width of the 2-3 fingers along your jaw, working toward the ear. Stopping and massaging each area lightly as you work your way up to the ear. Continue up above the ear and then down behind it and continue down along the side of your neck to the collar bone. Do both sides.
After you have done that, place your fingers just above the Adams Apple and start a slow massage there and work along the underside of your jaw and neck area toward your ears again doing both sides.
After that, place your right palm in the center of your chest just below your collar bones. With your right hand now push toward your left shoulder gently 6-10 times, repeat with your left palm and push to your right shoulder.
After that, raise your left arm straight up over your head as if to touch the ceiling. Now you will use your right palm again and starting at the left shoulder blade, slide your palm down toward your waist 6-10 times, repeat on the othe side.
That is basically 3/4 's of the massage. There is some more circular massage parts along your stomach area that is part of all this, I probably won't be able to explain it correctly,so it is best to be shown.
The massage is a gentle massage and not a muscle massage. The Lymphnode system is just below our skin and doesn't need allot of pressure to get it moving. The Lymphnode system flows at 1/3 the speed of our blood flow.
I apologize for such a long post, but hopefully it is of some help.
My Best to You Both and Everyone Here