4 years out, not in a good place - need deep tissue massage but can't find support - Help

Hi. The NHS is pretty bad at this now. Can you contact your CNS and ask if there is a dedicated late effects clinic near you. I do know of some elsewhere so maybe there is one down your way. Best of luck. 

Hi Suziewoos If you contact your cancer nurse she will put you on to chant which I am sure you have heard before. They will give you the correct exercises to do , What type of neck dissection did you have ?

Hi Susie You won't have to pay as you are still within the 5 years is my understanding 

Hi, Thanks for your reply. 'm under Guys, London   They give 2 years therapies and one of those I missed out due to Covid.  I do understand the whole system is overloaded  but there should be something for us head and neck survivors as we have late and permanent side affects

HI,  That's a really good idea thank you.

I will do that, thank you - although I recall there isn't one near me.  I do all the exercises they gave me but what works for me is deep pressure manipulation and muscle stretches.  I can't do it on myself as I can't raise my arms properly due to the surgery and also I don't have the strength to put the right pressure on that a physio does. 

Hi Susie There is places locally  to where you live  where the therapists go. I can vouch for that. What neck dissection did you have anyway ? 

Hi Susie this might be stating the obvious but i could not eat as had base of tongue cancer. I found a blender with a few bananas and frozen blueberries and a carton of  oat milk worked a treat for a great breakfast , you can regulate the thickness to you swallow if that makes sense by changing milks and fruits etc 

I can't find any that don't charge the full rate. The place I was having the therapy has said they can't give me anymore as there are too many people waiting. I think my neck dissection is called 'Radical neck dissection'

Hi

Have you tried asking your GP for advice/signposting to a service which might be able to help? I'm thinking physio or are there any cancer charities in the area which can offer physical therapies that the GP might know about?

Sorry if you've already tried those.

Where I live there is reasonably quick access to physio via GP plus there are charities offering all sorts. However, I'm nowhere near London so provision could be very different...?

I hope you get some help soon, it sounds awful for you.