Breast Cancer Therapy

Helping patients achieve independence and restore range of motion and strength in the upper body are the primary goals of occupational therapy. Through hands-on interventions and therapeutic exercises, our occupational therapists help restore patients’ abilities to perform everyday activities like bathing, dressing and preparing meals. 

If you have a lumpectomy or a mastectomy (and lymph nodes were removed), your doctor will order OT the day after surgery (while you're still in the hospital). During this time you will receive training on an exercise program you will continue at home.

OT can help with:

• Range of motion, strength
• Axillary web syndrome (cording)
• Joint stiffness
• Scar tissue restriction
• Lymphedema
• Numbness in hands
• Fatigue
• Pain
• Poor endurance
• Restoring independence with daily activities, work and leisure
• Educating patients about self-care management (e.g., skin care, infections, etc.)

Lymphedema
Our lymphedema experts, including occupational therapists, are specially trained in the treatment of lymphedema.

If you experience problems with balance due to neuropathy, and/or back and neck pain at any point during breast cancer treatment, your doctor may order PT. 

Our physical therapists work with patients to improve their health, general fitness and daily function. Through a program thoughtfully personalized to the individual, our therapists help patients manage the pain and physical inabilities that can result from medical and surgical breast cancer treatment. 

PT can help with:

• Pain
• Poor endurance
• Strength
• Balance
• Fatigue
• Joint stiffness
• Numbness in feet
• Scar tissue restriction

After the lymph nodes are removed, the lymph and blood vessels in the underarm area may become inflamed. The vessels then harden, causing rigid scar tissue (cords) to form. Cording can extend from the top of the underarm to the wrist, and can appear days or even years after surgery.

Women who develop cording may experience:

• Discomfort
• Pain
• Limited motion
• Tightness in the armpit

Cording is a common condition and may go away on its own. Massages, stretching and manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) can help ease symptoms.

Any woman who has been treated for breast cancer is at risk for developing lymphedema, a condition that causes swelling in the body. The main treatment for lymphedema is complete or complex decongestive therapy (CDT).

Through exercise, manual lymph drainage and compression bandaging, CDT helps to:

• Relieve discomfort
• Increase lymph drainage
• Decrease swelling
• Lessen skin fibrosis
• Improve condition of skin

Four self-care tips that can help reduce swelling:

1. Use your affected arm as you normally would (dressing, eating, bathing).
2. Talk with your doctor before starting an exercise routine.
3. Do stretching exercises every day.
4. Notify your doctor immediately if you notice swelling or heaviness in your arm.