Neck dissection/swelling

Have you been offered lymphoedema treatment which, although is supposed to be for drainage, I found helps with the tightness too. I’m still having it on the NHS a year later. Also try and find an oncology physiotherapist in your treatment hospital and ask to be referred for myofascial release. If they don’t have one then search privately like I had to.

Thank you - will try everything and anything ! Did the hardness go leaving soft swelling and how long did it take ? 

Probably not the same as you as my neck settled down quite quickly after both my dissections.  There was long term stiffness which I managed by using a massage shower head with hot (as hot as I could stand) water each morning as I showered.  That seemed to free everything up and allowed me a comfortable day.  I found it easier to manage than massaging my neck although when I had CRT a few years later I did get lymphoedema and massaged that.  If you want to try massage for lymphoedema then there are some approved links in my profile.

So with myofascial release with the oncology physiotherapist, she did manage to soften the upper layer of the scar tissue (that's what we are dealing with here, not muscle as such). However, the more deeper scar tissue is a lot harder to break down. I think regular massage (there are tools out there to help) and keep moving will ease the tension. Sadly for some people like us who are more affected there is no quick and easy solution... we are left feeling that we should just be lucky to be alive.

Yes I totally get that and I count myself lucky that I’ve escaped radiotherapy for now ( although I had it on my neck several years ago) . My hard lump is above the scar though - is that what you ? It’s so puzzling why it’s so very very hard instead of soft swelling which I feel I could do something about . I’ve found a practitioner who seems to have lots of different treatment options so