By: Emily Kitteringham, PT, DPT, CSCS

Breast cancer undoubtedly brings changes to your physical, emotional, and mental health as you undergo treatment and enter into survivorship. Spooner can help you navigate any changes- expected and unexpected- in these new phases of your life.

When to Seek Breast Health Rehabilitation

Our Breast Health Rehabilitation Team has been helping women and men thrive prior to, during, and after undergoing cancer treatments. Seeking out a breast health therapist may be beneficial for you if you have:

  • Side effects during or after chemotherapy and/or radiation treatments,
  • Decreased energy levels following chemotherapy,
  • Post-lumpectomy or mastectomy (or any other breast-related reconstruction/ surgeries),
  • Limitations in activities of daily living,
  • Swelling in your arm or hand,
  • Tightness through the chest wall or armpit with reaching, and/or
  • Symptoms of peripheral neuropathy in the hands or feet, such as tingling, weakness, numbness, or pain.

Physical therapy looks different for every patient. Whether you have been referred to Spooner by your doctor, or if you are looking for solutions to the symptoms you are experiencing after treatment, you will receive care that is individualized to you.

Your First Breast Health Rehabilitation Visit

At your first Breast Health visit at Spooner, you will have a physical therapist that has been specifically trained and certified to treat breast cancer-related conditions like lymphedema, post-operative procedures, radiation scarring, and more.

Your therapist will ask you questions to understand you and your goals, so, together, you both can begin preparing your individualized plan of care. The questions your therapist may ask could include current or past treatments or surgeries, any functional difficulties you are having from day to day, and if you are experiencing any symptoms of breast cancer-related lymphedema. Alongside this, they will also see how you are physically moving by assessing your range of motion, strength, scars, mobility, and any swelling you may have.

Once your therapist gathers all of your information, they will ask you what goals you want to achieve. Maybe you want to feel more awake throughout the day. Maybe you want to lift up your arm without pain. Maybe you want to get back to exercising safely. Whatever your goal is, you and your therapist will create a plan of care that will specifically help you achieve it.

A combination of manual therapy coupled with progressive exercise may be used in your plan of care. Your treatment at Spooner may include stretching, strengthening, manual therapy, lymphatic drainage, and potentially other interventions to help you achieve your functional goals. Spooner therapists take a whole-body treatment approach to help you safely return to the activities you love.

Our Breast Health Specialists are here to help you move and feel your best during and after cancer treatments. Schedule an appointment today!