How can physical therapy help me after breast cancer treatment?

Sometimes after breast cancer surgery, radiation therapy, and breast reconstruction, you can experience pain moving your arm(s) and find your mobility is limited. 

You may be afraid to do things for fear of hurting yourself or be concerned about developing lymphedema. 

Physical therapy can help you safely regain your flexibility, help you progress back to your normal life, and educate you as you recover.

Are strengthening exercises safe after breast cancer treatment?

The good news is YES!  For years women were told to minimize using the arm that was affected by their breast cancer surgery for fear of developing lymphedema.   In 2010 and 2011 findings from the Physical Activity and Lymphedema (PAL) trial found that weight lifting exercises done properly and with guidance by providers trained in the PAL intervention helped to DECREASE a woman’s chance of developing lymphedema by 70%.  It also helped women who already had lymphedema reduce the likelihood of their lymphedema worsening by 50%. 

We are proud to offer this exercise program to our breast cancer survivors with and without lymphedema.

For more information on the PAL trial, please visit their website: 

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Each patient’s treatment is determined on an individual basis after an initial evaluation, but some of the things you may receive are:

·         Manual or hands-on treatment to help mobilize restricted tissue

·         Stretching and strengthening exercises

·         Education on lymphedema risk reduction techniques