Breast Cancer Rehabilitation
Breast Cancer Rehabilitation: Support for Your Recovery
Recovering from breast cancer treatment can be physically and emotionally challenging. You may experience stiffness, weakness, pain, or fatigue, making daily activities more difficult.
CHRISTUS Health is here to support you with specialized breast cancer rehabilitation designed to help you regain strength, restore mobility, and feel more like yourself again.
Through physical and occupational therapy, lymphedema treatment, and personalized exercise programs, you can improve your range of motion, manage symptoms, and rebuild confidence in your body. No matter where you are in your recovery, compassionate care is available to help you heal.
The Key Areas of Breast Cancer Rehabilitation
Your recovery needs are unique, so rehabilitation may include a combination of therapies tailored to your symptoms, lifestyle, and goals.
- Physical Therapy – Improve flexibility, rebuild strength, stabilizes the spine, and restore movement through guided exercises and hands-on therapy.
- Occupational Therapy – Learn strategies and exercises to make daily activities easier and regain independence.
- Lymphedema Therapy – Manage swelling and discomfort with specialized treatments to reduce fluid buildup and improve circulation.
- Scar Management – Gentle techniques to soften scar tissue and improve mobility.
- Home Exercise Programs – Continue recovery at home with a personalized exercise plan.
- Patient Education – Empower your recovery with tools and knowledge
Is Breast Cancer Rehabilitation Right for You?
Many people benefit from therapy after a mastectomy, lumpectomy, radiation, chemotherapy, or reconstructive surgery. You may be a good candidate for breast cancer rehabilitation if you have:
- Limited range of motion in your arms, shoulders, or chest
- Pain, weakness, or fatigue affecting daily activities
- Lymphedema or swelling in the arms or upper body
- Tightness or discomfort from scar tissue
- Difficulty with balance or coordination
- Changes in posture or strength following surgery
Lymphedema and Breast Cancer
Lymphedema is a common concern if you’ve undergone breast cancer treatment, particularly after surgery or radiation that affects the lymph nodes.
The lymphatic system, which helps drain fluid from the body, can be disrupted when lymph nodes are removed or damaged during treatment. This can lead to swelling in the arms, chest, or upper body. This condition is not only uncomfortable but also impacts daily activities and mobility.
Lymphedema therapy is a crucial part of breast cancer rehabilitation.
It focuses on reducing swelling, improving circulation, and managing discomfort. Through specialized treatments, such as massage therapy, compression therapy, and exercise, lymphedema can be managed effectively, helping you feel more comfortable and regain confidence in your body.
Frequently Asked Questions
Rehabilitation can begin at different points in your cancer journey. Some people start before surgery to prepare their body, while others begin during or after treatment to regain strength and mobility. Your doctor or therapist can help determine the best timing for you.
At most locations, a physician referral is required to begin therapy. If you’re experiencing pain, stiffness, swelling, or other challenges after treatment, talk to your doctor about whether rehabilitation could help.
The length of rehabilitation varies based on your individual needs and recovery goals. Some people need just a few sessions, while others benefit from ongoing therapy for several weeks or months. Your doctor or therapist will create a plan tailored to you.
Your sessions may include gentle stretching, strengthening exercises, hands-on therapy, and education on managing symptoms like lymphedema or scar tightness. The goal is to improve mobility and function while keeping you as comfortable as possible.
Yes, specialized lymphedema therapy can help manage swelling, improve circulation, and reduce discomfort. Therapists use techniques such as edema control, compression therapy, and targeted exercises to support lymphatic drainage.