Physical therapy after Breast Cancer

What kind of physical therapy does someone need after cancer? 

One of the first things I teach my physical therapy patients and coaching clients is breath awareness and nervous system regulation. This is not something that I had ever done before as a PT but my experience with breast cancer taught me that healing is an active process and if the brain quiets the body sensations can be observed in a more clear way. This body awareness was where I had deep healing following my breast amputation 2 years ago. I guide body awareness helping patients and clients connect from the inside-out instead of the outside-in. 

The next most common thing I help my PT clients battle is the physical impairments of chest tightness, neck pain, shoulder pain or stiffness, nerve pain, rib pain and lymphedema. These are all usually sequela from surgeries, chemotherapy and/or radiation. 

Lots of these women have other medical issues that make this more complicated, conditions like arthritis, neurological conditions or orthopedic problems. 

Many of my clients start out as physical therapy clients and then transition to coaching. Physical therapy is medically necessary and there are functional deficits we are working on. For instance, a woman can no longer blow dry her hair because of shoulder tightness and pain. I would see her for physical therapy to work on massage, joint mobilization, scar release along with targeted exercises to regain function. 

When physical therapy is over and her range of motion and strength returns but she is still having a hard time with stress management, food planning, and exercise, I partner with her as her coach to help her figure out meal plans, exercise goals…

One other thing to note is that I see a lot of women who were premenopausal at diagnosis and put into medical menopause through medicines and treatments to stop their cancer. Women oftentimes need to change their diet and exercise program to combat the side effects of estrogen deprivation. Many of my clients also deal with physical intimacy issues because of estrogen deprivation but also body changes. 

Having breast cancer really does shift a lot of things. I am so honored to be welcomed into someone else’s healing space in their own experience with cancer.