Services

Breast Cancer Rehabilitation

Breast Cancer Rehabilitation

Physiotherapy plays a vital role in the patient's post-treatment recovery. After undergoing various treatments, patients will likely continue suffering from different physical side effects during their recovery journey. Our physiotherapist can help the patients to ease pain and improve their range of movement.

 

Breast Cancer Related Complications

We would suggest that a patient who has been diagnosed with breast cancer, before the treatment, discuss with her practitioner about possible complications or impairments that might arise:

 

  • Decreased strength of the upper limb
  • Reduced mobility of the shoulder
  • Post-surgical scarring and tightness (breast and/or Axilla)
  • Upper extremity ache
  • Lymphedema occurs at the upper extremity
  • Soft tissue contracture from radiation therapy
  • Neuropathic pain from chemotherapy
  • Chronic Pain
  • Musculoskeletal pain (Breast, Axilla, and/or neck and shoulder)

 

What does the initial assessment cover

Our registered physiotherapist will conduct a thorough assessment and customize a treatment plan for each patient.

One of our main objectives of cancer rehabilitation is to improve physical function. We aim to help our patients recover quickly by conducting soft tissue release techniques combined with a designed exercise programme to help you adapt to your situation.

 

  • The therapist will review the patient medical history and plan for the cancer treatment pathway.
  • The physiotherapist will assess the patient's shoulder and spinal range of motion.
  • Muscle strength of shoulder and arm
  • Scar and skin condition if surgery was conducted
  • Signs of lymphedema
  • The sensation of shoulder and arm

 

Every Case is Unique: Structure a Rehabilitation Plan to Suit Your Needs

Our physiotherapist treatment plan should cover patients' individual needs, from movement ability to pain management.

Once the wound is stable, the following will be considered in the rehabilitation program (based on individual conditions):

 

Breast Cancer Rehabilitation services

  • Range of motion exercise to mend the tissue extensibility and back to standard movement patterns.
  • Graded strengthening exercise|Core strengthening (for TRAM flap reconstruction)
  • Joint, soft tissue and scar mobilisation 
    • Joint mobilisation 
    • Soft tissue release techniques 
    • Scar tissue massage improves shoulder tightness and discomfort after a mastectomy.
  • Desensitisation technique for neuropathic pain
  • Rotator cuff, serratus anterior, trapezius, rhomboids, pectoralis and biceps muscle groups are to be targeted for the introduction of shoulder rehabilitation. 1 The goal of this rehabilitation is to gradually restore the range of movement and muscle strength and improve the scar tissue restrictions.
  • Lymphatic management includes positional drainage, manual lymphatic drainage and educational advice.
  • Endurance exercise prescription plan and lifestyle advice
  • Goal setting according to lifestyle need
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Duration of the programme

Breast cancer or post-cancer patients may start the programme anytime after their surgeon or medical specialist considers it safe to proceed. Our therapist will adjust the treatment plan according to the patient's condition, current treatment regimen, and advice from their doctors. Normally, each treatment programme may take 4 to 6 weeks with the frequency of one or two visits per week, or it may take up to a few months, depending on individual progress.

 

Life after the cancer treatment programme

What we meant about life after breast cancer is about returning to the familiarities and making new choices.

  • It shouldn't be mistaken that end of treatment doesn't equal the end of the journey with breast cancer.
  • Women face several challenging difficulties after treatment: fatigue resulting from chemotherapy and the effect of other treatments, such as memory deficits and the inability to focus.

Our physiotherapist can assist the patient with her plan to return to day-to-day activities work by assessing the patient's physical capabilities related to their work and daily life.