Recovering Beauty: How Myofunctional and Craniosacral Therapies Support Post-Plastic Surgery Healing
Schie Health in Virginia Beach | Plastic Surgery, Healing, Myofunctional Therapy, Face Yoga, Craniosacral Therapy
Plastic surgery may be cosmetic in intention, but the healing process is deeply physiological. After facial surgeries such as rhinoplasty, facelift, buccal fat removal, or chin augmentation, patients face swelling, muscle tightness, nerve sensitivity, and altered facial dynamics. This can affect not only appearance, but also function—like breathing, speaking, or facial expression.
At Schie Health, we offer Myofunctional Therapy (MT) and Craniosacral Therapy (CST) to support clients recovering from facial plastic surgery. These therapies work together to promote gentle tissue healing, regulate the nervous system, and restore optimal facial function and symmetry.
Why Post-Surgical Recovery Needs More Than Ice Packs
Facial surgeries often involve structural manipulation—of muscles, fascia, bones, and nerves. While the results can be transformative, the aftermath includes:
Lymphatic congestion and swelling
Muscle guarding or asymmetry
Scar tension and fascial restriction
Altered facial movement (smile, speech, chewing)
Anxiety or emotional release from body image shifts or trauma
Traditional post-op care focuses on wound healing and aesthetics. But integrating MT and CST addresses the often-overlooked layer of functional healing.
How Myofunctional Therapy Helps After Plastic Surgery
Myofunctional Therapy focuses on restoring proper coordination and tone of the lips, tongue, cheeks, and jaw. These muscles are often impacted by swelling, altered nerve sensation, or new structural balance after surgery.
Key Benefits:
Improves symmetry by retraining facial muscle coordination post-procedure
Supports nasal breathing, especially after rhinoplasty or septoplasty
Reduces facial tension from guarding or compensation (e.g., clenching)
Improves speech clarity and swallow if oral function is affected
Restores natural resting posture of lips, jaw, and tongue—key for facial balance
One study found that early neuromuscular retraining of facial muscles after surgery improves symmetry, patient satisfaction, and long-term facial coordination (Felício & de Oliveira, 2011).
How Craniosacral Therapy Enhances Surgical Recovery
Craniosacral Therapy is a gentle hands-on technique that supports the nervous system, releases fascial tension, and promotes lymphatic flow. CST is particularly beneficial after surgery due to its soft-touch approach and ability to work with the body’s self-healing rhythms.
CST helps by:
Reducing post-op swelling and inflammation via improved lymphatic flow
Relieving fascial adhesions around incisions, implants, or altered bone structure
Easing nerve sensitivity and restoring somatic awareness
Supporting vagus nerve regulation to reduce post-op stress, sleep disruption, and emotional fluctuations (Rochester, 2012)
A pilot study showed that CST improved pain, range of motion, and sleep in post-op patients recovering from head and neck procedures (Greenman, 2003).
The Emotional Side of Facial Surgery
Even planned aesthetic procedures can stir unexpected emotions. Patients may feel detached from their new appearance, experience regret, or hold trauma from the anesthesia or recovery process.
Myofunctional Therapy helps rebuild confidence by restoring function and expression, while CST creates a calm, grounded state that supports emotional integration.
When to Begin Therapy
CST: Can often begin within 1–2 weeks post-op (with physician clearance) to reduce swelling and discomfort.
Myofunctional Therapy: Typically begins 2–4 weeks post-op, focusing on breath, gentle movement, and oral posture retraining.
What to Expect at Schie Health
Our sessions are customized and trauma-informed. We work closely with clients to:
Restore ease and symmetry
Improve breathing, expression, and sleep
Reduce pain, puffiness, and tension
Support nervous system calm and body connection
Whether you’ve had rhinoplasty, a facelift, or minor contouring, these therapies are a gentle but powerful addition to your recovery journey.
References
Felício, C. M., & de Oliveira, M. M. (2011). Neuromuscular re-education of orofacial functions in plastic surgery patients. International Journal of Orofacial Myology, 37, 31–36.
Greenman, P. E. (2003). Craniosacral therapy: Application in clinical practice. Journal of the American Osteopathic Association, 103(5), 223–224.
Rochester, R. P. (2012). Craniosacral therapy: Exploring its potential role in post-surgical recovery. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies, 16(1), 60–65. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbmt.2010.06.003
