{"id":2047,"date":"2021-10-14T11:27:28","date_gmt":"2021-10-14T18:27:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/motipt.com\/?p=2047"},"modified":"2021-12-02T10:19:34","modified_gmt":"2021-12-02T18:19:34","slug":"giving-you-the-tools-physical-therapy-after-mastectomy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/motipt.com\/giving-you-the-tools-physical-therapy-after-mastectomy\/","title":{"rendered":"6- Giving you the tools: Physical Therapy After Mastectomy"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
Road Map to Recovery<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n
  1. Mastectomy<\/li>
  2. 6 weeks of tissue healing<\/li>
  3. Rehab to normalize shoulder mobility and core strength –> Return to function<\/strong><\/li>
  4. Reconstructive breast surgery<\/li>
  5. Rehab to continue shoulder strengthening and activity specific –> Return to activity\/sport\/work<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    I got a mastectomy\u2026 Can I get back to doing things I love? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    After a mastectomy and\/or following cancer treatments, one can experience loss of both mobility in their upper body and core strength. Most patients also don\u2019t realize how incisions can take a minimum of 6 weeks to heal, which can discourage movement and quality of life. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Scar tissue formation from a mastectomy, lumpectomy, or lymph node removals can be painful and can restrict movement in the shoulder, even leading to serious orthopedic side effects like frozen shoulder.   <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    We\u2019re here to help! <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    With physical therapy, one can improve upper extremity mobility and strength baseline, so their future reconstructive surgeries have better recovery and faster outcomes. Exercises to maintain shoulder range of motion and arm mobility may be prescribed as early as 1 week<\/strong> after surgery. Patients may also experience nerve pain caused by scar tissue impinging on nerves. Manual therapy can help restore sensation and relieve nerve pain too!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    What should I expect at physical therapy? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    As part of a post op mastectomy treatment plan, your physical therapist will utilize different manual techniques to improve the scar tissue from the incision and increase upper extremity range of motion, while also prescribing individualized exercises to help restore strength and promote good circulation. As rehabilitation progresses, these exercises may be modified to meet new goals such as returning to a sport!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Physical Therapy as part of a mastectomy treatment plan can have the following benefits:<\/p>\n\n\n\n