Certain cancers can spread quickly and have a higher likelihood of returning based on the treatment method, which is why women diagnosed with breast cancer or who have a high risk for the condition are oftentimes recommended to pursue a mastectomy procedure. A mastectomy involves the surgical excision of one or both breasts to remove the cancer from the body.
Mastectomies are incredibly common in patients with breast cancer, as roughly 1 in 3 women with either stage 1 or stage 2 breast cancer undergo a mastectomy, while roughly 2 in 3 women with stage 3 breast cancer undergo one. And while adjusting to life after a mastectomy may take some getting used to, physical therapy can help to make this transition a little easier. In today’s blog, we explore how physical therapy can be helpful before and after a mastectomy procedure
PT Before A Mastectomy
You’ll have a lot on your plate in the days and weeks leading up to your mastectomy, and oftentimes it can feel a bit overwhelming. During this time, we recommend that you focus on what you have ownership over and ignore factors that you cannot control. One aspect that you have some control over is your health prior to your operation. By pursuing physical therapy prior to your mastectomy, you can help to establish a baseline or improve a number of important factors, including:
- Range of motion
- Strength
- Posture positioning
All of these factors could be affected by your mastectomy, so it can be incredibly helpful for you and your physical therapist to establish a baseline prior to your procedure. They can also take measurements of certain areas that will make it easier for them to check for any post-op lymphedema so that it can be monitored and addressed as needed.
PT After A Mastectomy
Physical therapy and controlled exercise are incredibly helpful in the recovery process after a mastectomy procedure. In many instances, physical therapy can start just a few days after you are discharged from the surgical center. PT has been shown to offer a number of benefits for patients after a mastectomy, including but not limited to:
- Pain Control – You will have some discomfort and soreness in the breast area, but controlled movements have been shown to help reduce pain sensations. One study found that of women who participated in physical therapy in the six months that followed their surgery, about one-third had no pain after one month, and nearly two-thirds had no pain after six months, which were both higher than those who did not seek out PT after a mastectomy.
- Enhanced Range Of Motion – Some patients may experience some tightness or range of motion limitations as a result of the physical trauma of the surgical procedure. PT can help to break up scar tissue formations and slowly increase your comfortable range of motion as your therapist helps your body relearn how to become comfortable with movements you’ll perform every day.
- Swelling Control – As we mentioned above, lymphedema could develop after your procedure because some lymph nodes will be removed during your mastectomy. Some physical therapists are specifically trained to manage lymphatic drainage and can help reduce this swelling that may develop.
- Breathing Capability – Your lungs can also be impacted by the trauma to the chest region, and your physical therapist can help rebuild their strength and tolerance through gradual exercise progression and certain deep breathing exercises.
- Scar Control – As we alluded to in the point on range of motion, physical therapy and exercise can help break up scar tissue formation, which can help to reduce scar-related physical discomfort. Moreover, manual therapy or massage therapy can help to decrease the visible appearance of mastectomy scars.
Physical therapy can provide all of these physical benefits, but your PT can also help manage the mental and emotional side of post-mastectomy life. We can educate you on best practices, teach you some relaxation exercises and be a resource so that you don’t feel like you’re going through your journey alone, which can greatly improve your mental and emotional health. Let our team at OrthoRehab Specialists be a valuable resource before and after your mastectomy. For more information, or for help with a different physical issue, reach out to our team today at (612) 339-2041.