Massage Therapy in New Jersey

At the Robert Zubowski, M.D. Center for Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, we believe in the healing power of massage therapy. Whether you are seeking relief from chronic or acute pain, recovering from recent surgery, or simply yearning to relax and unwind, you can benefit from a professional massage at our Bergen County office.

We provide a unique post-surgical massage program that can dramatically improve the healing process for our cosmetic surgery patients. In addition, we offer a variety of therapeutic massage modalities designed to relieve chronic and acute pain and reduce stress.

Our quiet, luxurious massage room is a tranquil sanctuary specially designed for your comfort. By combining the safety and professionalism of a physician’s office with the relaxing qualities of a heated massage table, gentle candlelight, relaxing music, and a trickling water fountain, we’ve created the perfect setting for you to receive massage therapy. The luxurious comfort of the atmosphere in our center is far more relaxing, therapeutic, and beneficial than anything you can find in New York City’s swankiest spas.

Allow our certified and highly trained massage therapists to create a massage session tailored to your specific needs. All of our therapists are members of the American Massage Therapy Association.

• Our Post-Surgical Massage Program
• Therapeutic Massage Modalities and Pricing
• Massage Therapists

Our Post-Surgical Massage Program

What better way to recuperate after plastic surgery than with a series of gentle, soothing therapeutic massage treatments? Our unique post-surgical massage therapy program dramatically improves the healing process of our cosmetic surgery patients. This specialized massage, called Manual Lymph Drainage (MLD), not only feels relaxing and soothing, but also affords the following benefits:

• Quickly reduces swelling
• Decreases bruising
• Alleviates soreness
• Soothes skin sensitivity
• Improves scar formation
• Increases range of motion
• Relieves stress and anxiety

Because we are convinced of the effectiveness of MLD, we include three one-hour complimentary MLD massage sessions with our cosmetic surgery procedures at our Bergen County office.

As MLD is a relatively unknown type of massage, we have prepared the following information in a question-and-answer format in order to educate you about the extensive benefits of this therapy.

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What is Manual Lymph Drainage?

MLD is a European massage modality that was developed in the 1930s by Dr. Emil Vodder, a Danish Massage Therapist, and his wife, Estrid. The Vodders established treatment and training centers in Europe, and MLD is now taught worldwide.

Precise, gentle, slow, rhythmic movements characterize MLD. The sequence and direction of massage strokes are designed to stimulate and accelerate the lymphatic system’s natural detoxifying activity.

MLD has been researched extensively. Scientific studies and clinical experience have documented the effectiveness of MLD in treating a variety of medical conditions in which edema (swelling) is present. MLD is widely prescribed in European, Canadian, and Australian hospitals and clinics. Over the past ten years, MLD has begun to gain significant recognition in the United States as well.

What is the Lymphatic System?

Our massage specialists know that in order for our bodies to remain healthy, we need our lymphatic system to transport excess water, proteins, fats, and cellular waste products from the body’s connective tissues back to the venous blood circulation. In other words, it is the lymphatic system’s responsibility to remove swelling from the body’s tissues.

The lymphatic system’s main components are lymph nodes, a fluid called lymph, an extended network of lymphatic vessels, and lymphoid organs. Approximately two liters of lymphatic fluid are moved through this intricate system each day.

How Will I Benefit from Receiving MLD?

Swelling is the body's natural response to surgery. Because MLD increases the activity of the lymphatic system by 10 to 20 times its normal rate, you will experience a more rapid reduction in swelling and a faster recovery. You can also expect relief from soreness and pain, less bruising, improved scar formation, and an increased range of motion. Patients also report that they experience a decrease in numbness and skin sensitivity following their MLD sessions. Finally, receiving MLD from a massage professional at The Center is extremely relaxing and aids in stress reduction.

When Should I Receive My MLD Treatments?

You should begin to receive your MLD massage treatments approximately seven days after your procedure at the plastic surgery center.

Is MLD Painful or Uncomfortable At All?

There is never any pain associated with receiving MLD. If you are concerned that the massage may hurt because you may feel tender and sensitive after surgery, please be assured that this massage uses an extremely gentle, light touch. Most patients actually fall asleep during their MLD sessions.

Which Cosmetic Surgery Procedures Performed by Dr. Zubowski Include Three One-Hour MLD Treatments?

• Facelift
• Brow Lift
• Eyelid Lift
• Rhinoplasty
• Breast Surgery
• Liposuction
• Tummy Tuck

Who Will Be Performing My Treatment?

Your treatment will be performed by either Jennifer Petsche or Janice McKee, the certified massage therapists at our Bergen County office. Both Jennifer and Janice are graduates of the prestigious Vodder School of Manual Lymph Drainage, whose 160-hour curriculum teaches the original form of MLD.

If you have a question that was not answered by this set of questions and answers, please contact our office today.

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Therapeutic Massage Modalities and Pricing:

Massage therapy feels wonderful, and it has been shown to:

• Relieve chronic and acute pain
• Provide soothing relaxation
• Speed up post-surgical healing
• Decrease swelling
• Improve circulation of blood and lymph
• Increase range of motion
• Relax tight muscles
• Help maintain optimal health when received regularly

We offer a variety of massage techniques at our office to help you improve your health and well-being. Massages are typically 60 minutes; however, requests for longer or shorter sessions can be arranged.

Swedish Massage -- $70

When you think of a body massage, it’s probably Swedish massage you have in mind. This popular system of massage blends long, gliding stokes, kneading and rubbing, percussive strokes, and vibration. Techniques are used to loosen tight muscles, relax muscle spasms, speed blood circulation, and increase range of motion. In addition to these physical benefits, Swedish massage also promotes a sense of well-being and deep relaxation, leaving the recipient feeling rejuvenated and refreshed. Swedish massage feels wonderful and can be an integral part of a health maintenance program.

Clinical Massage -- $80

Various modalities including deep tissue, trigger point therapy, and sports massage can be combined within a single session. These types of massages are characterized by greater pressure and more site-specific strokes than Swedish massage. Deeper layers of muscle, as well as tendons, ligaments, and fascia, are massaged in order to address soft-tissue imbalances that contribute to chronic and acute pain patterns. Your therapist spends extra time on troubled areas at your request.

Manual Lymph Drainage -- $90 for one hour or $240 for a package of three one-on-one sessions

Manual Lymph Drainage (MLD) is a European massage system characterized by gentle, slow, rhythmic movements. The sequence and direction of massage strokes are designed to stimulate the lymphatic system’s natural detoxifying activity. Scientific studies and clinical experience have documented the effectiveness of MLD in treating a variety of medical conditions in which edema (swelling) is present. Simply put, MLD quickly relieves swelling, bruising, and pain. People who experience swelling as a result of surgery, injury, or pregnancy find significant relief with MLD.

Please be aware that a 24-hour cancellation policy is in effect for all massage therapy treatments offered at our office.

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Massage Therapists

Our massage therapists are members of the American Massage Therapy Association and are committed to providing the professional, caring massage you have been looking for.

Jennifer Anna, NCTMB

Jennifer Anna, NCTMB, the manager of our massage therapy program, is nationally certified in Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork. She provides various massage techniques for relaxation and pain relief, including Swedish, deep tissue, and trigger point therapy. She has been practicing massage since 1993, when she received her 1000-hour certification from the Boulder School of Massage Therapy in Boulder, Colorado. In addition, Jennifer is a graduate of the Vodder School – Austria, where she completed her certification in Manual Lymph Drainage Massage. She has been specializing in treating cosmetic surgery patients since 1997.

Janice McKee, NCTMB

Janice McKee, NCTMB is nationally certified in Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork. She has been practicing massage therapy since May 2000, when she received her 700-hour certification from the Mesilla Valley School of Therapeutic Arts in Mesilla, New Mexico. Janice is also a graduate of the Vodder School – North America. Janice specializes in Manual Lymph Drainage massage and also provides Swedish massages for relaxation.

If you are interested in Manual Lymph Drainage or any of the other massage techniques at our Bergen County office, please contact the specialists at Dr. Zubowski’s office.

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