The warm compress is usually a safer bet than massage early on, especially near the graft site. Gentle heat boosts circulation without putting direct pressure on sensitive areas. Also, mild discomfort during stretches is normal, but sharp pain means you're pushing too far—trust your instincts on that one.
Totally agree about the warm compress—massage near the graft site sounds like a recipe for disaster. I learned that one the hard way. A couple weeks after my bone graft, I got impatient and thought I'd speed things up with some "gentle" massage. Big mistake...felt like I'd poked an angry bear with a stick. 😂
Honestly, though, trusting your instincts is key. Mild discomfort during stretches is one thing, but if you're getting sharp pains, that's your body's way of saying "hey genius, knock it off." I've found that slow and steady really does win this race. Heat packs have been my best friend lately—Netflix binge sessions with a warm compress are officially my new hobby.
Hang in there, it does get better eventually...just maybe don't follow my example of trying to rush things along!
