Services

Breast Cancer Rehabilitation

Women who have undergone a breast surgery are at risk of developing lymphedema, abnormal posture, myofascial restrictions, pain, and upper extremity weakness. With our specialized Breast Cancer Rehabilitation program, patients are evaluated and treated for lymphedema, range of motion restrictions, and deficits with participation in daily activities. We provide guidance on obtaining appropriate compression garments as well as education on lymphedema prevention, self-massage, prosthetic options and total body strengthening. Patients can be treated throughout the duration of their treatment, from diagnosis to breast reconstruction.

Our goal with treatment is to restore function and to improve our patient’s quality of life.

Patients can begin a therapy program after adequate healing of the incision. One of the benefits of rehabilitation is that exercise can help with fatigue, which is a very common complaint among patients with breast cancer.

Physical and occupational therapy can help breast cancer patients help common side effects including:

  • Improving range of motion
  • Ease muscle tightness
  • Scar/implant mobility
  • Improve shoulder strength
  • Decreasing swelling
  • Increasing mobility

Reconstruction

Treatment can also be very beneficial during the reconstruction process. Physical and occupational therapy can help by providing the following benefits:

  • Softening tissue during skin expansion
  • Scar tissue reduction
  • Implant motility
  • Improving scar tissue adhesions on existing implants