Advanced clinical massage therapy
Post‑Surgical Massage in NYC
Medically‑informed massage to reduce pain, ease stiffness and scar tissue, and support your rehab after surgery. You book 60 or 90 minutes; we match the work to your surgery, stage of healing, and surgeon’s guidelines.
- Available in FiDi & Midtown West – open 7 days a week
Who it’s for
Is Post‑Surgical Massage Right for You?
This session is for people who are past the immediate post‑op phase, cleared by their surgeon or medical team, and ready to safely accelerate recovery. It’s a great fit if you:
- Had a hip, knee, or shoulder replacement or repair (ACL or meniscus, rotator cuff, etc.) and still feel stiff, guarded, or “stuck”
- Feel tightness, pulling, or swelling around your incision that makes it hard to move normally
- Notice your body compensating—limping, hiking one shoulder, or over‑relying on the non‑surgical side
- Want hands‑on care from therapists who regularly work with post‑surgical cases and are trusted by NYC surgeons and physical therapists
- Found that surgery helped at first, but your symptoms have crept back and you’re looking for a more comprehensive approach
Safety Note: At Bodyworks DW, we follow New York State massage therapy guidelines and current wound-healing science when working with post-operative clients.
During the first 1–2 weeks after surgery, tissue is in the acute inflammatory phase. Swelling, bruising, and fresh sutures indicate that healing is still actively occurring. For this reason, our therapists do not perform aggressive or painful massage over fresh surgical sites.
If your surgeon has recommended “aggressive” massage within days of surgery, they may be referring you to a surgical aftercare specialist rather than a licensed massage therapist. Lymphatic drainage, when used, is performed with light, non-compressive pressure. It should not be painful.
COMMON ISSUES
Problems We Treat with Post‑Surgical Massage
We help New Yorkers recover from a wide range of surgeries. Some of the most common reasons clients see us:
OUR STANDARD
The Bodyworks DW Method
No guesswork, no spa menu. Every session starts with a real evaluation, then integrated clinical massage tailored to your body—plus simple at‑home strategies—so results last beyond the table.
01
Therapists you can trust
All therapists are NYS‑licensed, personally mentored by founder David Weintraub, LMT, and continually train in orthopedic, myofascial, and neuromuscular work—many also teach accredited CE.
02
Time, not “styles”
You don’t pick “deep tissue” or “sports” from a menu. You book 60 or 90 minutes, and after your evaluation we choose the right blend of techniques for your body that day.
03
Root‑cause focus
Where you hurt isn’t always where the problem started. We look at posture, movement patterns, breathing, and your injury history to get beyond symptom chasing and address deeper drivers of pain.
04
Good intense, not brutal
Work that changes how you feel—often in the first visit—kept at a productive, safe intensity so your nervous system can relax instead of brace and fight back.
05
Support beyond the table
You leave with with simple home‑care strategies—stretches, positions, or self‑massage——and we coordinate with your PT, physician, or trainer when it helps.
06
Two studios, one standard
Two NYC studios—FiDi and Midtown West—using the same results‑focused method, shared training, and the same 60‑ and 90‑minute session options, so you get consistent care wherever you go.
WHAT A VISIT LOOKS LIKE
Your session, step by step
Step
Listen & assess
We review your surgery, timeline, restrictions and any guidance from your surgeon or PT. Then we check posture, simple movements, and how you’re loading the surgical and non‑surgical sides to see how your whole body is adapting—not just the joint that was operated on.
Step
Map the problem & plan
We connect what we saw and felt to your symptoms and explain, in plain language, what’s most likely driving pain, stiffness, or swelling. Because you book time, not a “style,” we decide where to focus and which mix of methods to use for your stage of healing.
Step
Custom blend of clinical techniques
On the table, you don’t get a generic full‑body routine. We work the plan: a combination of myofascial, neuromuscular, and mobility-focused techniques—along with lymphatic work only when clinically appropriate.
Lymphatic drainage is not required in most post-surgical cases.
It is typically used in specific situations, including:
• Cases where lymph nodes have been disrupted (such as certain oncology-related procedures)
• Clients with fragile or highly sensitive tissue who cannot tolerate standard pressure
In most orthopedic and general post-surgical recovery cases, more targeted soft tissue and movement-based work is both safe and more effective.
Step
Re‑test & next steps
Before you leave, we re‑check key movements so you can feel what’s different—less pain, more range, easier motion. Then we outline a realistic visit cadence and one to three simple home strategies that fit alongside your PT and home‑exercise program.
Results & outcomes
What Clients Notice with Post‑Surgical Massage
Less pain & swelling
- Aching, throbbing, and protective muscle tension turn down from “loud” to “background”
- Swelling and heaviness around the surgical area often ease as circulation improves and the body starts moving fluid more efficiently
Better mobility & confidence
- Easier bending, straightening, or rotating the joint within your safe range
- Gait and everyday movements (like getting in and out of a chair or bed) feel less guarded and more natural
Faster rehab & long‑term resilience
- PT exercises feel smoother as surrounding tissues soften and scar tissue is better organized
- A clearer sense of what your body needs; you know when to push, when to pause, and how to support healing between visits
Testimonial
What Our Clients Say
Pricing & wellness wallets
Book now. Pay after.
Save up to 20%.
Pay after your session—no prepay.
New here? Select “New Client Massage” to get $25 off your first visit.
Add a Wellness Wallet before your first session or within 7 days after to get up to 20% bonus credit.
START HERE
Book your session
No prepay—card on file to hold; pay after your session. New here? Choose “New Client Massage” when booking to get $25 off your first visit with select therapists.
Senior
Lead
Owner
60 minutes
$160
/ with Senior Therapist
90 minutes
$230
/ with Senior Therapist
First wallet bonus
Save with Wellness Wallets
First time buying a Wellness Wallet? You qualify for our best bonus. New to Bodyworks? Buy before your first session to use it on that visit.
$800
Get $120 bonus
Covers ~3–5 sessions
15% bonus credit
$1400
Get $250 bonus
Covers ~5–10 sessions
17.5% bonus credit
$3000
Get $600 bonus
Covers ~12–22 sessions (Annual plan)
20% bonus credit
Frequently Asked Questions
Have more questions? Get in touch
Do I book a specific type of massage (deep tissue, sports, etc.)?
No. You book time—60 or 90 minutes. Your therapist listens to what’s going on, evaluates how you move, and then blends the right mix of methods for you that day: deep tissue, myofascial, neuromuscular/trigger‑point, orthopedic techniques, and gentler work where needed. You’re booking time and focus, not a fixed style.
Do I need lymphatic drainage after surgery?
Not usually.
While lymphatic drainage is often recommended online, most post-surgical recovery does not require dedicated lymphatic work.
True manual lymphatic drainage uses very light, superficial pressure designed to influence fluid movement—not muscle or connective tissue.
At Bodyworks DW, we use lymphatic techniques selectively—primarily in cases involving lymphatic disruption or when tissue tolerance is very limited.
For most clients, a broader treatment approach focused on restoring movement, reducing compensatory tension, and improving tissue mobility leads to better long-term results.
Will the massage hurt?
You may feel strong, focused work—especially on areas that have been tight for a long time—but it should always feel like “productive” discomfort, not punishment. We check in often and stay at a comfortably intense level so your nervous system can actually relax and change.
How long are sessions and how often should I come?
Sessions are 60 or 90 minutes.- For a new issue or flare‑up, most people start with 1–3 sessions close together (1–2 weeks apart) to get momentum.
- For longer‑term or complex problems, expect 6–12 weeks of regular work, often alongside PT or other care.
- Once things stabilize, many clients switch to maintenance visits every 4–8 weeks to stay ahead of tension and old injury patterns.
We’ll talk through a realistic plan at your first visit.Is this safe with my condition or surgery?
In most cases, yes—when techniques are adapted correctly. If you’ve had recent surgery, cancer treatment, blood clots, or any major medical change, talk with your doctor first and give us a call to discuss timelines. For post‑surgical work, we follow your surgeon’s and PT’s guidelines and avoid any areas that are not ready for hands‑on work yet.
When We Begin Post-Surgical Massage
At Bodyworks DW, we follow New York State massage therapy guidelines and current wound-healing science when working with post-operative clients.
During the first 1–2 weeks after surgery, tissue is in the acute inflammatory phase. Swelling, bruising, and fresh sutures indicate that healing is still actively occurring.
For this reason:
- We do not perform aggressive or painful massage over fresh surgical sites.
- We do not work over open incisions or sutures.
- We do not perform forceful tissue mobilization during the acute inflammatory stage.
- If your surgeon has recommended “aggressive” massage within days of surgery, they may be referring you to a surgical aftercare specialist rather than a licensed massage therapist.
Most therapeutic massage interventions begin safely once the initial inflammatory phase has stabilized — typically 2–3 weeks post-op, depending on the procedure and physician clearance.
Light, non-compressive lymphatic techniques may be appropriate earlier in select cases, provided incisions are closed and no complications are present.
If you are unsure, we encourage you to contact our office before booking.
What should I wear or bring?
If possible, wear or bring clothes you can move in for the assessment—think leggings, shorts or joggers with a tee or tank.For the hands‑on work, we get the best results when we can work directly on skin. We suggest to remove all clothing, especially for low‑back or hip work, but it’s always your choice.You’ll be fully draped under a sheet and blanket; only the area we’re working on is uncovered, and private areas are draped at all times as required by NYS law. If you prefer to keep underwear or other layers on, that’s completely fine—we’ll adjust our techniques.If you have imaging reports, PT notes, or a doctor’s prescription, bring them along—they help us plug into your wider care.Do you take insurance?
We don’t bill insurance directly. In New York State, massage therapy is usually out‑of‑network. We can provide a detailed medical massage receipt (“superbill”) you can submit for possible reimbursement (coverage varies by plan). HSA/FSA cards are welcome.
Can I use my HSA or FSA card?
Yes. We accept HSA/FSA cards with a major credit‑card logo (Visa, Mastercard, etc.). Most plans treat medical massage as an eligible expense, but it’s always best to confirm with your provider.
Do I need a credit card to book?
Yes. A card is required to hold your appointment, but you’re not charged at the time of booking—you pay after your session. The card on file is only used if you late‑cancel (less than 24 hours’ notice) or don’t show, so we can compensate your therapist for the reserved time.
How do Wellness Wallets work?
You pre‑load a one‑time amount and we add bonus credit on top. You can use Wallet credit on any 60‑ or 90‑minute session at either studio, with any therapist. Your loaded credits never expire. Bonus credit expires in 12 months.
Can I buy a Wallet before my first session?
Yes. You can pre‑load a Wallet now and use both your credit and bonus toward your very first visit. New clients can also wait and buy a Wallet within 7 days after their first session and still get the new‑client bonus (one new‑client Wallet per person).
TESTIMONIALS
Trusted by thousands of New Yorkers
