Self-Lymphatic Care: Foundational Techniques for Lymphedema & Recovery

Learn the core protocol for self-lymphatic care with Certified Lymphedema Therapist Rebecca Smith. This gentle technique supports lymph flow, post-surgical recovery, and lymphedema management.

Please consult your medical team first if you have:
• Active infection
• Blood clots (DVT/PE)
• Acute heart or kidney issues
• Undiagnosed cancer
• Fever or early pregnancy

Filmed at BodyCraft Massage Therapy in Midtown Manhattan.

What Is Diaphragmatic Breathing? Understanding the Foundation of Restorative Breath.

Join Rebecca Smith, founder of Body Craft Massage Therapy in Midtown Manhattan, for a clear, beginner-friendly intro to diaphragmatic breathing. Learn where the diaphragm is, how it works, and why this simple technique supports relaxation, recovery, and lymphatic flow.

Great for anyone navigating cancer treatment, chronic conditions, or post-surgical healing.

Diaphragmatic Breathing Practice: Scan, Breathe, Reassess

In this guided practice from Body Craft Massage Therapy, you’ll learn how to:
• Establish a breath baseline with a quick body scan
• Practice step-by-step diaphragmatic breathing
• Deepen your breath in a gentle progression
• Reassess and observe changes in your body

Designed for anyone managing stress, supporting recovery, or exploring mindful movement.

Nighttime compression garments are designed to support the body while you rest, and they serve a different purpose than many daytime compression options.

In this video, Rebecca Smith explains how nighttime compression works, when it may be helpful, and how it differs from daytime garments. She reviews common categories of nighttime compression options for the upper extremity, including quilted garments, Velcro-adjustable systems, and foam-chip designs, and discusses how factors such as tissue quality, comfort, adjustability, and tolerance influence garment choice.

This video also addresses fundamental differences between daytime and nighttime compression garments, as well as general considerations that may guide the selection of different garments. The content is provided for educational purposes to support individual decision-making and to facilitate informed, productive discussions with your lymphedema therapist and medical team.

In this guided breath break from Body Craft Massage Therapy, we’ll put diaphragmatic breathing into action. You’ll:

Establish a baseline with a quick body scan

Practice diaphragmatic breathing

Add a gentle progression to deepen your breath

Reassess and notice what’s shifted

Perfect as a follow-up to our Introduction to Diaphragmatic Breathing video — or anytime you need a grounding pause.

This guided warm-up from Body Craft Massage Therapy offers gentle range-of-motion exercises to support mobility and ease scar tissue tightness—especially after lumpectomy, mastectomy, or thoracic surgery.

— Designed for clients cleared to stretch post-surgery
— Supports lymphatic flow, mobility, and tissue resilience
— Includes diaphragmatic breathing, spinal and shoulder movements, nerve flossing, and light spirals

⚠️ This is not post-op rehab. Please consult your medical team before beginning any new movement practice.

This seated sequence is accessible, modifiable, and perfect as a warm-up before other activity—or as a daily self-care check-in.