Physical Therapy After Breast Cancer

Written by: Tiffany Kennedy, PT DPT, Research Park Clinic Director

When I heard that I had breast cancer, I quickly learned that I could not focus on things that I could not control, but had to take full charge of those that I could.  I had to advocate for myself and my needs.

I was assigned a team to navigate my course of treatment, my long journey. The one person that was not assigned, but that I was glad I knew about, was a physical therapist.  Thankfully, I am a therapist and have access to the best team of them at Nesin Therapy Services. Then I began to think about those who do not know the benefits that therapy can have post surgery.  I knew that I should check my mobility in my shoulder prior to surgery to get a baseline of where I needed to return.  I knew to take measurements along my arm to be sure I was not developing lymphedema.  I knew that once the incision was healed and I had any pulling at my incision site (scar), that I could do gentle scar mobilization to alleviate pain.  I knew what exercises to do and at what point to progress my shoulder mobility.  I knew what to do with the pillows when I could not get comfortable at night.  I knew when to start strengthening my shoulder and forearm muscles.  I knew to watch my posture when sitting, not give into the pain in what we therapists call a protected position.  I knew that as much as I wanted to, that I could not hold my arm when walking and needed to use a natural arm swing.  I knew what stretches to do when having muscle spasms.  I knew a lot of things, but it’s because I am a therapist.