Role of Physical Therapy in Breast Cancer

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and we join in the cause to help those in need. We are sorry for any who have gone through breast cancer or are currently going through it. We offer our support and hope to help you find relief from pain.
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The American Cancer Society recommends regular exercise, which helps improve your ability to perform everyday activities. Physical therapists are trained and educated to understand various health conditions, including cancer. Together we will develop a specialized plan, addressing your specific needs.

Even before surgery, physical therapy can help. Pre-surgical treatment aims to establish a baseline measurement, educate in lymphedema, and establish an exercise program.

After cancer treatments, you may feel a tightness in the chest, underarm, or upper arm. You may also experience stiffness, limited range of motion, fatigue, and lymphedema. Post-surgical physical therapy minimizes side effects. Through a variety of treatment methods, we help decrease your pain and alleviate symptoms, even reducing the need for opioid medication. 

Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM) helps decrease tightness and stiffness symptoms by breaking up the scar tissue and myofascial adhesions. Specific exercises are aimed at keeping the affected tissue mobile. And general exercising keeps you feeling healthy overall.

We choose the safest, most effective exercises that you can perform before, during, and after cancer treatment. Let us help you have a successful recovery.