How Physical Therapy Helped Me Reclaim My Body and My Life
Therapy plays a crucial role in breast cancer recovery, supporting both the physical and emotional challenges that come with treatment. Physical therapy is often overlooked in cancer care. Yet it is vital; helping to improve range of motion, manage pain, reduce lymphedema, and empower survivors to return to everyday life.
As a breast cancer survivor and a physical therapist, I knew the benefits of PT. Guarded with that knowledge, I advocated for myself to get the referral.
A Growing Need for Recovery Support
According to the American Cancer Society, Breast cancer rates have unfortunately continued to rise But the good news is that thanks to early detection and better targeted treatments, the death rate from breast cancer has declined by 42% over the past 30 years. That means more survivors, like me, who can benefit from physical therapy.
My Personal Experience
My initial complaints were fairly general: discomfort at end ranges of movement, reduced strength, and persistent rib pain. It turned out that tight connective tissue under my arm and across my chest was pulling on my rib. The culprit? Post-surgical and radiation-induced tissue restrictions.
Physical therapy made all the difference. It helped restore strength and flexibility in my chest and arm. Whether you’ve had a lumpectomy or a mastectomy, radiation is often the biggest challenge to tissue mobility. One survivor told me, “Radiation is the gift that keeps on giving.” Unfortunately, it’s true. Tissue shortening can continue for years after treatment ends.
Learning About Cording
Being blindsided by my cancer diagnosis, I dove into researching all my treatment options. That’s when I learned about cording, or Axillary Web Syndrome (AWS). AWS is fairly common side effect of breast cancer surgery, particularly when lymph nodes are removed to check for cancer spread.
Cording feels like tight bands under the skin, often in the armpit and down the arm, which limit movement and can be very painful. The development of cording can be delayed, mine didn’t show up until eight months after radiation.
Common symptoms of cording include:
- A feeling of tightness or pulling in the armpit/arm
- Visible or palpable cords
- Pain when moving or stretching the arm
- Limited shoulder or elbow range of motion
- Difficulty with everyday tasks like dressing or washing your hair
How PT Helped Me Heal
My therapist Gwen was compassionate, knowledgeable, and skilled. She used specific massage techniques, including Graston tools, to address cording. I was also taught self-massage and a home exercise routine targeting both mobility and lymphedema prevention.
At first, you’re naturally in protective mode—after all, you’ve just had surgery—but too little movement can make things worse. On the other hand, I learned the hard way that overdoing it can be just as harmful. Gwen reminded me: sometimes less is more. Too much strain on the arm can trigger lymphedema, and once it starts, it’s hard to reverse. Now, almost 3 years after completing my treatment, I still take precautions, like wearing a compression sleeve on flights over five hours and avoiding heavy lifting. My system is still sensitive and even an insect bite can trigger swelling.
A Lifelong Journey of Recovery
I looked forward to my PT sessions; first weekly, then monthly. Gwen had worked with countless women facing similar challenges, and her encouragement was priceless. PT helped me feel stronger not just physically, but emotionally. I stopped feeling like “just a patient” and started feeling like myself again.
Now, nearly three years post-surgery and approaching the five-year milestone (when recurrence risk drops), I’m still caring for my body daily. I stretch my arm regularly to avoid nighttime numbness and have my lymphedema exercises printed and handy for flare-ups.
I’ve found joy in yoga and swimming, slowly rebuilding strength in ways that feel right for my body.
Survivorship Takes a Team
My recovery journey was supported by an incredible team; my diagnostic doctors, surgeon, radiation techs, oncologist. But my physical therapist played a unique and crucial role. She helped me return not just to daily function, but to my professional life as a PT.
Survivorship is more than just being cancer-free. it’s about living fully, regaining strength, and finding your way back to yourself.
Be Active Be Well
RESOURCES
- How Physical Therapy Helps Breast Cancer Recovery – PT Solutions
- Key Statistics for Breast Cancer – American Cancer Society
Guest Blogger
Michele Hession is a physical therapist and founder of Be Active Be Well. She is a dedicated advocate for both her patients and her team, committed to helping people live their fullest lives. Michele believes that individuals are far more than their disabilities, and that wellness is shaped by many factors—including proper nutrition, purposeful activity, and adapting to the physical environment.
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DISCLAIMER: This article contains information that is intended to help the readers be better informed regarding health care issues. It is presented as general advice on health care and is not intended to be a substitute for the medical advice of a licensed physician. The reader should consult with their doctor in any matters relating to his/her health.
