About Corrie & Oncology Treatment
Hi. I’m Corrie Turnbull, a licensed massage therapist and lover of physiology.
I started out studying massage therapy at the University of Alaska in 2001 and quickly knew I was on the right path.
Today, I am combining my passion for kindness and healing, with my endless curiosity of the inner workings of the human body.
I started my career doing massage at a Chiropractor clinic, then moved on to Katmai Oncology Group., where I learned how to safely treat clients who are facing cancer.
In 2017, I received training to become a Certified Lymphedema Therapist. This means I can safely work on lymphedema patients and am up to date on all of the current techniques involved in lymphatic drainage massage.
In 2020, I founded Anchorage Massage Therapies and today I spend most of my time treating oncology clients through lymphatic drainage massage.
Here’s How Lymphatic Drainage Massage Works:
Manual lymphatic drainage massage is a gentle technique that encourages the natural flow of the lymphatic system.
The lymphatic system is designed to help the body get rid of toxins, which is why it can be so helpful after chemotherapy or radiation.
The lymph system is responsible for carrying our white blood cells, which can help prevent infection.
In addition to clearing out toxins, lymphatic drainage massage can help ease the side effects of chemotherapy including stress, fatigue, insomnia, nausea, anxiety, and pain.
The massage also helps to prevent lymphedema after lymph nodes have been removed.
Lymphedema is a condition caused by excess fluid in the lymphatic system that causes swelling.
It can happen when you have a compromised lymphatic system caused by surgery, radiation, or cancer.
It’s common for breast cancer patients to have lymphedema in their arms, chest walls, or shoulder blade areas after surgery.
This is because the underarm contains a lot of lymph nodes.
Damage to the lymph vessels or removal of the lymph nodes can result in lymphedema and a weakening of the lymphatic system.
But, lymphatic drainage can help heal the body faster and boost immunity.
In addition to lymphatic drainage massage, I can get you set up with compression garments to help keep the swelling under control.
I’ll also recommend how often you should receive a lymphatic drainage massage based on your condition and your doctor’s feedback.
You can read more about lymphatic drainage massage here.
How Lymphatic Drainage Massage Can Help With Axillary Web Syndrome:
Because breast cancer patients often have a lymph node biopsy or dissection in the axillary region – the underarm – this can result in axillary web syndrome, or “cording.”
Cording” can be one of the early signs that your lymphatic vessels need some TLC.
You can either feel or see thick, ropelike “cords” starting at the site of scarring in the underarm region and extending down the inner arm to the inside of the elbow.
Sometimes they can continue all the way down to the palm of your hand or go the other direction from the scarring site across the chest wall.
The cords tend to be painful and tight, making it difficult for you to lift your arm any higher than your shoulder or extend the elbow fully.
Cording typically occurs anywhere from several days to several weeks after your surgery, although it can appear many months later.
Surgeons recommend not lifting your affected arm above your shoulder for 2 weeks after surgery to allow the lymphatic vessels, blood vessels, and nerves to heal.
Under my Lymphedema Certification, I have learned how to gently lengthen and attempt space correction in the affected limb and ease the symptoms of cording.
Other Techniques That I Use:
Myofascial Trigger Point Therapy: This is a deep-tissue massage technique that spreads out the fascia in the muscle tissue.
This technique can increase your range of motion and decrease pain from migraines, back pain, carpal tunnel, sciatica, and plantar fasciitis.
Acupressure: This is a gentle – yet deep – finger pressure on specific points in the body that helps release chronic tension. I use acupressure in all my massage therapy treatments.
At your first appointment, we’ll go over your health history and decide on the best treatment for you.
You can learn more by reading our FAQ here.
I look forward to treating you.
My Certifications Include:
Axillary Web Syndrome Oct. 2017
Lymphedema Certification Sept. 2017
Massage for People Living with Cancer Dec. 2016
Oncology Massage Therapy: Caring for Clients with Cancer Oct. 2016
Cancer and Massage Therapy May 2016
CPR, AED, and First Aid June 2015
Manual Lymphatic Drainage Sept. 2002
Myofascial Release / Trigger Point Aug. 2002
Jin Shin Do Acupressure May 2002
Massage Therapy Certificate June 2002
