What is Breast Cancer Rehabilitation?

Breast cancer and its treatments—such as a lumpectomy, mastectomy, lymph node removal, breast reconstruction, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and hormonal therapy—can lead to a variety of physical side effects. While some side effects may improve over time, many can persist and impact your daily activities and life.

However, these long-term side effects are not something you simply have to “live with.”

With Breast Cancer Rehabilitation, you can say goodbye to pain, limited shoulder mobility, chest tightness, cording, and much more!

Our occupational therapist specializing in Breast Cancer Rehabilitation and Lymphedema Therapy is here to support you every step of the way, helping you to overcome cancer-related side effects and reclaim your well-being during and after breast cancer.

How can Breast Cancer Rehabilitation help?

Research shows that physical and occupational therapists play a vital role in a cancer care team, supporting you in your recovery from the moment of your breast cancer diagnosis to survivorship.

Whether you’re newly diagnosed, in active treatment, or finished treatment years ago, Breast Cancer Rehabilitation can:

• Improve your overall quality of life

• Alleviate your pain and discomfort

• Improve your mobility, flexibility, and strength

• Address post-surgical swelling and lymphedema

• Boost your energy levels

• Restore your independence and well-being

• Help you resume physical activity safety

• Ease returning to work

Breast Cancer Rehabilitation Before Surgery

Consulting with a specialized therapist before breast cancer surgery can help you prepare both physically and mentally for your upcoming surgery and recovery.

During your first Breast Cancer Rehabilitation appointment, your specialized therapist will assess your range of motion, posture, strength, and arm measurements to establish your baseline. Once your specific needs are identified, you’ll work together to optimize your physical well-being before surgery. Your one-on-one appointments may include a combination of:

• Hands-on therapy

• Targeted exercises

• Relaxation techniques

• Breathwork

• Lymphedema risk reduction

• Education about your surgery and answers to your questions

You’ll also learn key exercises to perform right after your breast surgery to help you heal and feel better sooner.

Breast Cancer Rehabilitation During & After Treatment

Every breast cancer journey is unique. Depending on the procedures and treatments you’ve undergone you may experience a variety of side effects, including:

• Pain

• Chest tightness

• Decreased shoulder movement

• Scar tissue restrictions

• Axillary Web Syndrome (cording)

• Breast/chest swelling or seroma

• Arm and/or breast lymphedema 

• Postural changes

• Radiation Fibrosis Syndrome 

• Post Mastectomy Pain Syndrome 

• Cancer-Related Fatigue

• Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy

• “Brain fog” and other cognitive impairments

• Joint stiffness and weight gain

• Pelvic floor dysfunctions 

Our Breast Cancer Rehab therapist can help you minimize/overcome all of these side effects so that you can regain your strength, energy, and confidence—both during and after treatment.

What to Expect in Breast Cancer Rehabilitation

After getting to know you and performing a thorough assessment of your movement, strength, and posture, your specialized therapist will develop an individualized treatment plan focused on your unique concerns, needs, and goals.

With a whole-body treatment approach, your therapist will use a combination of techniques to alleviate your pain, improve your scar mobility, and restore your movement, flexibility, and strength. Your one-on-one sessions with your therapist may include a combination of:

• Hands-on therapy techniques like scar massage, soft-tissue mobilization, and myofascial release.

• Lymphatic drainage massage to address post-surgical swelling/seroma and lymphedema.

• Individualized therapeutic exercises to improve your mobility, flexibility, and strength.

• Breathwork and relaxation techniques to reduce any stress and enhance your healing.

• Energy conservation methods to help you successfully manage cancer-related fatigue.

• Education on self-care practices and lymphedema risk reduction.

Who is Breast Cancer Rehabilitation for?

If you’re experiencing ANY side effect from your breast cancer treatments—no matter how minor—Breast Cancer Rehabilitation can help. It is never too early or late to start Breast Cancer Rehabilitation.

We work with breast cancer survivors and previvors who have undergone a variety of surgeries, including but not limited to:

• Lumpectomy

• Mastectomy

• Aesthetic flat closure

• Expander and implant reconstruction

• Tissue reconstruction: TRAM flap, DIEP flap, LAT flap, TDAP flap, etc.

• Explant surgery

• Skin and fat grafting  

We also work with patients during chemotherapy and radiation therapy to ease side effects and improve their well-being.

At FemFirstHealth, we are committed to providing you with the care, support, and guidance you need to thrive beyond cancer.