Breast Cancer Rehabilitation With Women’s Health Physical Therapy
Are you in breast cancer remission or recently became cancer-free–but are now struggling to maintain your health, general wellness, or strength after cancer? At Vitality Women’s Physical Therapy, our women’s health physical therapists want to help you navigate the complex emotional and physical challenges of rehabilitation after breast cancer.
There’s no doubt that a breast cancer diagnosis can be life-changing, but many people don’t realize how those changes can linger even in recovery. Breast cancer rehabilitation is a holistic approach that helps patients rebuild the strength and functionality they need to lead healthy lives–while also working to address mental and emotional difficulties.
If you or a loved one is a breast cancer survivor searching for a way to return to daily life, contact our Chicago or Elmhurst clinic today to learn about your treatment options and gain access to the dedicated support you deserve.
What is Breast Cancer Rehabilitation?
Beating breast cancer is not easy. Patients undergo a series of treatments, including chemotherapy, surgery, radiation therapy, and more, all with their own side effects. The side effects include the following:
- Restrictions in arm and shoulder mobility due to mastectomy or lumpectomy surgeries
- Lymphedema, which causes lymph fluid to build up in different parts of the body, leading to swelling and discomfort
- Muscle weakness, overall fatigue, and a general loss of function
- Pain from the formation of scar tissue and/or the effects of radiation therapy
- Pain, hot flashes, nausea, bladder and bowel issues, and decreased libido from medication to prevent cancer recurrence
Breast cancer rehabilitation can help both people in remission and those currently undergoing cancer treatment. In many cases, incorporating a safe exercise program into your routine can help you manage the intense effects of cancer treatments.
What Techniques Do We Use in Breast Cancer Rehabilitation?
When you visit our clinic, our dedicated team will develop a personalized treatment plan that aligns with your needs. After a thorough evaluation to detect any impairments, pain sources, or other conditions, we’ll pull from a blend of treatment options to find the ones that work for you.
Manual therapy includes several hands-on techniques that offer a wealth of benefits for breast cancer survivors:
- Soft tissue mobilizations can help improve restrictions and reduce scar tissue formation after surgery.
- Lymphatic therapy, a gentle massage-like technique, can promote the flow of lymphatic fluid, reducing lymphedema symptoms. We can also show you how to utilize compression garments.
- Myofascial release involves gently releasing the fascia (a web of flexible tissue that wraps your muscles) to help reduce scar tissue.
Gentle therapeutic exercise is generally one of the most effective choices for patients in breast cancer rehabilitation. Exercising under the guidance of an attentive women’s health physical therapist is a safe way to get your body moving again after surgery or intense energy-depleting cancer treatments, helping to combat fatigue and weakness. It can also…
- Improve range of motion restrictions
- Reduce scar formation
- Reduce pain
- Restore muscle strength and endurance
Functional training helps restore your body’s functionality so you can safely return to your favorite activities. Depending on your needs, we might work with you to improve balance, posture, gait, and more. We can also help restore your ability to do specific work or recreational movements.
A Holistic Approach to Breast Cancer Rehabilitation
At Vitality Women’s Physical Therapy, we understand that recovery and rehabilitation are about more than your physical function. Breast cancer treatments take an enormous emotional toll, and many breast cancer patients and survivors deal with anxiety, depression, and poor body image. That’s why we treat you as a whole person, taking your entire well-being into consideration.
For example, we can show you relaxation and stress reduction techniques to help you navigate the challenges of your diagnosis or recovery. We’ll also find ways to help you continue rehabilitation outside our clinic through home exercise programs, self-massage techniques, self-care activities, and more.
We aim to help you take a proactive role in your rehabilitation. Cancer can be immensely disempowering–but rehabilitation doesn’t have to be.
Start Rehabilitation Today!
You do not have to navigate this difficult time of your life alone. Our team of women’s health physical therapists will help you combat joint pain, limited mobility, low energy levels, and other symptoms and conditions that often appear after cancer treatment.
Vitality Women’s Physical Therapy has helped many breast cancer survivors in the Chicago and Elmhurst area, and we’d love to help you. Request your appointment today.
Sources
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33657814/
https://bmccancer.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12885-019-5648-7