The post Getting Back to Health in Motion after Breast Cancer Diagnosis appeared first on Missoula Bone & Joint.
">The post Getting Back to Health in Motion after Breast Cancer Diagnosis appeared first on Missoula Bone & Joint.
" /> 'October is an exciting month as it shines light on Breast Cancer Awareness. Physical Therapy has a very large role in a person’s treatment and recovery of breast cancer.
Early detection and treatments for breast cancer are saving more lives, but treatments such as surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy can result in life-changing side-effects. The goal of cancer treatments is to get you cancer free. But “cancer free” does not return you to your old self. That is where physical therapy comes in: the goal of physical therapy is to get you back to your normal everyday activities. Research shows women who received physical therapy after breast cancer surgery demonstrate improvements in range of motion, pain, and swelling faster than those who do not. (1) Not all physical therapists are trained the same. Therapists who have been trained in oncology and breast cancer treatments can help develop a customized plan of care to address your needs.
After breast cancer related treatments, some women experience shoulder pain, swelling, stiffness, and/or webbing in their under arms. Axillary webbing or lymphatic cording is a thick rope like tissue under the skin. Axillary webbing typically is in the underarm, but can spread to the hand if untreated. (2) This can occur after a lymph node biopsy, lumpectomy, and/or mastectomy. Your physical therapist can guide you through gentle exercises to prevent shoulder pain and range of motion restrictions.
Ask your medical team when it is appropriate to start with an exercise routine. The American Cancer Society recommends a patient initiate an exercise routine during the first 3-7 days. This includes simple tasks like using your affected arm as you normally do when you bathe, comb your hair, get dressed, and eat. (3) Other simple activities include:
After the initial couple weeks after therapy, getting your arm back to normal ROM is imperative. Again, ask your medical team when it is appropriate to initiate stretching and strengthening of the affected arm.
If you or someone you know has shoulder pain or tightness in their arm or chest when reaching overhead, swelling in the hand or breast, and/or weakness in the arm after breast cancer treatment, physical therapy may help. Contact us today at Missoula Bone & Joint Physical Therapy for more information (406) 542-4702.
1. Anderson RT, Kimmick GG, McCoy TP, et al. A randomized trial of exercise on well-being and function following breast cancer surgery: the RESTORE trial. J Cancer Surviv. 2012 Jun;6(2):172-181.
2. Axillary Web Syndrome (Cording).http://www.breastcancer.org/treatment/side_effects/aws. Accessed on 6/28/15.
3. http://www.breastcancer.org/tips/exercise/treatment/surgery. Accessed 6/28/15.
4. McNeely ML, Campbell K, Ospina M, et al. Exercise interventions for upper-limb dysfunction due to breast cancer treatment. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2010 Jun 16;(6):CD005211.
Patient testimonial:
“I was 5 years post mastectomy and still had cording in my armpit that was stopping me from pain free exercise. Lauren prescribed a treatment plan that involved a cupping technique to increase blood flow and break up scar tissue, guided stretching, range of motion exercises, and massage. It has helped so much I wish I hadn’t waited this long.” July, 2017
The post Getting Back to Health in Motion after Breast Cancer Diagnosis appeared first on Missoula Bone & Joint.