I know this sounds strange but I am noticing what is really helping me in addition to stretching and massage is mentally "breathing" into the muscles. So this is something we used to do in yoga practice. It's just relaxing and breathing into it, I don't know how else to describe it. I think surgery can be kind of scary for most people so we tighten up and I feel intuitively like that part of the body just needs to relax and trust and release the tension, so just mentally letting the tension go is helping me personally.
I’m so glad I found this. Had mastectomy and armpits nodes removed in July. From last week I felt terrible pain and tightness in the right arm… no one mention anything about cording to me… Well, I now know what I suffered with. I’ve been doing exercises from first day after surgery it didn’t help. I will have to carry on.
Yes, cording is quite a surprise. Especially when we’re not told that this is a potential side effect! I did rehab exercises very consistently after surgery too and my cording was quite stubborn. Keep it up as it will improve with consistent effort over time. Treatment, if your resources allow, helps too.
This video is so comprehensive! I’m 2 months post mastectomy. I see an occupational therapist who does lymphatic massage and cupping. She also made me a “swell pad” which puts compression on the chest. I’ve been doing some exercises on my own as well. These will be a part of my rotation. Thanks so much.
Thank you for this video my cording flared up 6 years after surgery while lifting weights. Weird. Not going to stop training but will try these methods and hopefully get rid of the annoying pain!
@breast-cancer-rehab I've been lifting for about 3 years so not new but I have been going heavier the last few months and I think I must have tweaked something. I train with several professional coaches that have physio and strength and conditioning backgrounds and none of them have ever heard of cording which is so frustrating!
Thanks for the additional info. I had no idea what cording was before I had it. None of my colleagues at my clinic knew either. You often hear more from your medical team about lymphedema (which is common too) but not many talk about cording. Hope yours resolves quickly!
I’m here because I’m 16 months post surgery / treatment and I just developed cording and it correlates w me starting to lift heavier weights !!!! I was fine when I was doing dumbbells up to 8 lbs once I transitioned to 10-12 lbs the issues started !! The side of my breast and arm lit are so uncomfortable now. I had graduated from PT back in August so this is all new ( November ) .
You're welcome. I really wasn't aware of cording leading up to my double mastectomy either. There seems to be a bigger emphasis on discusssing lymphedema ahead of time, which is also a big deal. It would be ideal if cording were discussed more, given how many women get it and how stubborn it can be to treat!
Thank you so much for your videos! Part 1 has made so much sense for me. I ticked all the boxes but 1 for a candidate for cording. I've been doing your exercises religiously as I'm in week 3 post mastectomy with diep flap reconstruction. So helpful and grateful!
This is huge. Had lumpectomy with radiation. Not sure exactly if it’s cording or fibrosis, but all these exercises feel good and help. Cannot stress enough importance of PT. Thank you for this. ❤
I am 8 days post op bilateral mastectomy with extenders. I feel incredible. No pain and i am just waiting for the other shoe to drop with cording and lymphoma. I was HIIT training 4 days a week prior for years. 41yrs old 5'3" 125lbs 20% body fat Fit AF. I am just waiting for it.....lol Your channel is awesome. 🎉🎉🎉🎉Subscribed 🎉🎉🎉🎉
That's great your recovery is going so well. It's amazing how different the process can be for everyone. If you do get cording or lymphedema there are so many things that you can do to address these side effects. Even better when you address them early on. Curious if your expanders are over or under the muscle considering how active you are?
@@breast-cancer-rehab thanks for writing back. I asked prior to surgery about over and under. Mine are over the muscle. Probably part of why I may be pain free and moving about. So freely. I'm in the SF bay area. Keep up your great content. I'll be cruising your channel as my journey continues. You're incredible
@stephanieanderson7208 Yes, over the muscle may be why you’re feeling quite well at this stage. That’s great you could get that. Even though my expanders were under the muscle I felt pretty good post-surgery too. So many factors contribute.
@@breast-cancer-rehab you have been such a HUGE inspiration along the journey I have embarked on. So grateful for your page and your athleticism. You're thriving
Love your info!! 🎉❤ I’m almost 3w post mastectomy, and a fit runner/surfer/yogi. I want to get back to it ASAP! Chemo and radiation to come. I already have cording and lymphedema but your videos are giving me the tools and inspiration needed! So GRATEFUL for your channel. 🎉🎉🎉🎉❤❤❤❤
So glad it helped! I had lymphedema after surgery too. I’m going to do a video about that sometime. Some of the things that you would do for cording (lots of movement) will also help lymphedema.
Thank you for your videos. I’m 2 weeks post op and I had no idea about cording, it feels as if my incision will break its so tight. My doc didn’t even mention this. Your videos are very thorough, informative and extremely helpful. I’m grateful to have found your channel! 🙏🏽🙏🏽
I was pretty surprised when my cording started too. Once you get the go ahead from your surgeon to do scar massage this will help with cording (in addition to the other strategies) - th-cam.com/video/oiDygSX2hM4/w-d-xo.html.
thank you very much for this so usufull video. I had my surgery 18th january, so this is quite recent yet, but I do suffer from stubborn cording. I'll definetly try one of more of those strategies. Thank you so much. Greetings from a brazilian in the Netherlands. :)
Thank you! I have cording in my elbow in the arm where there was lymph node removal. I had double mastectomy surgery at the beginning of December. This means I can't stretch my left arm out without the cord showing up visibly in my left elbow and there is a lot of tension. It probably starts in my armpit.
Wow, I just massaged in my own armpit area and down my left arm just like you showed (the perpendicular massage and circular massage), and the cord in my elbow seemed to pop back to normal and I could keep my elbow straight! I will keep doing that for now and see how it goes! Thank you so much again!!!
Generally once you’re past the 6 week mark after surgery. Before then you can do all of the range of motion exercises for your shoulders (see videos on rehab 0-3wks and 3-6 wks).
I'm 4 weeks post DMX today and noticed the cording yesterday. I have it in my CA affected side arm pit as well as below my rib cage-left side. Can I start the exercises now? or Must I wait 6 weeks? Love your videos :) Thank you so much for offering your personal, professional and educated support. P.S. Started my exercises the day after I got home from surgery.
If it were me, I would start the exercises now. The 6 weeks is a general guideline so that women would hopefully be cautious if they started before this time point. Definitely listen to your body when doing this at the 4 week mark post-surgery. Appreciate your kind words!
I had auxillary breast tissue removed from one armpit. No cancer thank goodness. Its been 4 weeks. I noticed severe tenderness along the inside of my arm down past my elbow and super tender spot just below my inside elbow in the soft tissue. My Dr insisted it was from me favoring my arm and had nothing to do with his surgery. I actually felt the cords tonight in my forearm. How soon can I begin exercising the arm? I'm almost 67. I've had a radical abdominal hysterectomy for cervical and endometrial cancer 3 years ago.I have been using it and trying to extend it with finger walking and rotating hanging swing.
The cording strategies can be started 4-6 weeks post-surgery. If you’re at 4 weeks I would check with your health care team for your case. You could also follow some of the general rehab exercises post-surgery to progressively work on your arm movement (Look for rehab videos 0-3 weeks and 3-6 weeks post-surgery). This would be in addition to the cording strategies.
I also suffered with it after my double mastectomy. However, after my surgeon performed the tissue expander exchange surgery I haven't noticed it. I was thinking maybe because my surgeon did some fat grafing near those areas.
Hi, thanks so much for the video, it’s really good. I have cording from SMX and ANX in July 22. I’ve been doing most of the exercises you suggest but it’s still very stubborn so I’d like to try cupping - but is it ok to do this if you have lymphoedema? Mine started just 2 months ago and I wear a compression sleeve and do daily simple lymph massage
Thank you for your videos on cording. My cording has gotten worse in the last several months after having a mastectomy in 2019 and this is 2023. I’ve been puzzled why it’s worse now and really want to get rid of the cording and I’m looking forward to a cording-free arm again! Any thoughts as to why it’s worse now?
Cording can return but it’s not typical. Sorry that’s the case for you! Just as the onset can be related to inflammation in the area, there may have been increased inflammation or tension in your shoulder, chest or underarm area more recently. Lymphatic massage and general myofascial release (hands-on treatment) will help in addition to the exercises.
You've come to the right place! There's lots of info to help improve your shoulder motion and function. You can start off with the rehab exercises (0-3 weeks, 3-6 weeks and 6+ weeks). It's ok if you're already past the 3 week mark after surgery. It's good to start with the basics and progress from there. You can also do the streching series.
It’s normal to be so hesitant when you have pain! You can start with very light pressure for self-massage and then go deeper over time as you feel more comfortable. Doing exercise/rehab (also starting slow) can give you some confidence that it’s ok to get in there to address the cording.
Thank you. I had a breast reconstruction 6 weeks ago. I am always hesitant to push further because I get scared when I feel pain. It’s improving but very slowly
@Tcgrande77 Sometimes it’s challenging to know when to push things and when to hold back. Once you’re past the 6 week mark post-surgery you’re through the acute stage of healing and you can generally push things more.
@@breast-cancer-rehab mine is not visible actually but i have a pain while swimming, lifting my hand up and even when brushing my teeth. Is it supposed to hurt while doing these exercises. Thanks in advance
@@salihammar5184I would check with a practitioner/therapist to confirm your diagnosis and then you'll have a better idea of what to expect with symptoms and what to do to manage this.
I had lymp node in my left axilla, I asked my doctor and he suggested some antibiotics and pain killers to resolve it, after that even though I didn't get any surgery to remove lymph nodes, I am having cording, and whenever I try to put my hand up it's so painful to do, I am doing your mentioned streching for somedays now, it helps only when I am doing the streching but after sometimes it get back to normal like same pain same discomfort, can you please suggest me what should I do now??
Cording can be so stubborn. Try to do as many of the strategies as possible and keep doing them consistently. Your persistence will pay off over time but it can take many, many months.
QUESTION - How long did your cording last and what helped the most to address it?
I know this sounds strange but I am noticing what is really helping me in addition to stretching and massage is mentally "breathing" into the muscles. So this is something we used to do in yoga practice. It's just relaxing and breathing into it, I don't know how else to describe it. I think surgery can be kind of scary for most people so we tighten up and I feel intuitively like that part of the body just needs to relax and trust and release the tension, so just mentally letting the tension go is helping me personally.
Great observation! You’re right, there’s tons of guarding/compensation after surgery and “breathing into it” can definitely help.
I’m so glad I found this. Had mastectomy and armpits nodes removed in July. From last week I felt terrible pain and tightness in the right arm… no one mention anything about cording to me… Well, I now know what I suffered with.
I’ve been doing exercises from first day after surgery it didn’t help.
I will have to carry on.
Yes, cording is quite a surprise. Especially when we’re not told that this is a potential side effect! I did rehab exercises very consistently after surgery too and my cording was quite stubborn. Keep it up as it will improve with consistent effort over time. Treatment, if your resources allow, helps too.
This video is so comprehensive! I’m 2 months post mastectomy. I see an occupational therapist who does lymphatic massage and cupping. She also made me a “swell pad” which puts compression on the chest. I’ve been doing some exercises on my own as well. These will be a part of my rotation. Thanks so much.
Glad it was helpful! That’s great you’re getting lymphatic massage and cupping already.
Thank you for this video my cording flared up 6 years after surgery while lifting weights. Weird. Not going to stop training but will try these methods and hopefully get rid of the annoying pain!
So weird right! Curious if you were already lifting weights before your cording flared or are the weights are new?
@breast-cancer-rehab I've been lifting for about 3 years so not new but I have been going heavier the last few months and I think I must have tweaked something. I train with several professional coaches that have physio and strength and conditioning backgrounds and none of them have ever heard of cording which is so frustrating!
Thanks for the additional info.
I had no idea what cording was before I had it. None of my colleagues at my clinic knew either. You often hear more from your medical team about lymphedema (which is common too) but not many talk about cording. Hope yours resolves quickly!
I’m here because I’m
16 months post surgery / treatment and I just developed cording and it correlates w me starting to lift heavier weights !!!! I was fine when I was doing dumbbells up to 8 lbs once I transitioned to 10-12 lbs the issues started !! The side of my breast and arm lit are so uncomfortable now. I had graduated from PT back in August so this is all new ( November ) .
Thanks for sharing! Try the strategies in the video and see what works best for you.
Thank you for sharing this important information. I had no idea this was even a possibility.
You're welcome. I really wasn't aware of cording leading up to my double mastectomy either. There seems to be a bigger emphasis on discusssing lymphedema ahead of time, which is also a big deal. It would be ideal if cording were discussed more, given how many women get it and how stubborn it can be to treat!
Thank you so much for your videos! Part 1 has made so much sense for me. I ticked all the boxes but 1 for a candidate for cording. I've been doing your exercises religiously as I'm in week 3 post mastectomy with diep flap reconstruction. So helpful and grateful!
I'm glad the videos have been so helpful! It's ideal that you're starting this so early after surgery.
This was just what I needed as I just developed cording.
Now I need to find your previous video on this
Thc
Cording can take a while to improve but starting right away will help.
This is huge. Had lumpectomy with radiation. Not sure exactly if it’s cording or fibrosis, but all these exercises feel good and help. Cannot stress enough importance of PT. Thank you for this. ❤
Thank you for the feedback! So glad to hear the exercises are helping.
Thanks!
Much appreciated! Hope the strategies help.
I am 8 days post op bilateral mastectomy with extenders. I feel incredible. No pain and i am just waiting for the other shoe to drop with cording and lymphoma.
I was HIIT training 4 days a week prior for years.
41yrs old
5'3"
125lbs
20% body fat
Fit AF.
I am just waiting for it.....lol
Your channel is awesome.
🎉🎉🎉🎉Subscribed 🎉🎉🎉🎉
That's great your recovery is going so well. It's amazing how different the process can be for everyone. If you do get cording or lymphedema there are so many things that you can do to address these side effects. Even better when you address them early on.
Curious if your expanders are over or under the muscle considering how active you are?
@@breast-cancer-rehab thanks for writing back. I asked prior to surgery about over and under. Mine are over the muscle. Probably part of why I may be pain free and moving about. So freely.
I'm in the SF bay area.
Keep up your great content. I'll be cruising your channel as my journey continues. You're incredible
@stephanieanderson7208 Yes, over the muscle may be why you’re feeling quite well at this stage. That’s great you could get that. Even though my expanders were under the muscle I felt pretty good post-surgery too. So many factors contribute.
@@breast-cancer-rehab you have been such a HUGE inspiration along the journey I have embarked on. So grateful for your page and your athleticism.
You're thriving
Love your info!! 🎉❤ I’m almost 3w post mastectomy, and a fit runner/surfer/yogi. I want to get back to it ASAP! Chemo and radiation to come. I already have cording and lymphedema but your videos are giving me the tools and inspiration needed! So GRATEFUL for your channel. 🎉🎉🎉🎉❤❤❤❤
Thank you for your video. It is very well explained. It is just 4 weeks after my lumpectomy and my cording is very painful. Thank you once again.
Glad it was helpful! You’ll see improvement with your cording but it definitely takes consistent effort.
Thanks for your videos. They have been a great help to my mum since her operation
Thank you for your feedback! All the best to your mom with her recovery.
A lot of Thanks for this video
I 'm from morroco
It help me
I have lymphodema afer my breast cancer surgey
So glad it helped! I had lymphedema after surgery too. I’m going to do a video about that sometime. Some of the things that you would do for cording (lots of movement) will also help lymphedema.
Thank you for your videos. I’m 2 weeks post op and I had no idea about cording, it feels as if my incision will break its so tight. My doc didn’t even mention this. Your videos are very thorough, informative and extremely helpful. I’m grateful to have found your channel! 🙏🏽🙏🏽
I was pretty surprised when my cording started too. Once you get the go ahead from your surgeon to do scar massage this will help with cording (in addition to the other strategies) - th-cam.com/video/oiDygSX2hM4/w-d-xo.html.
Thank you. I have cording, in my arm and down my ribs. Your videos have helped.
It was so werid to have cording down my ribs. Glad to hear the videos have helped with your cording!
Thanks!
Much appreciated!! Thanks.
thank you very much for this so usufull video. I had my surgery 18th january, so this is quite recent yet, but I do suffer from stubborn cording. I'll definetly try one of more of those strategies. Thank you so much. Greetings from a brazilian in the Netherlands. :)
You’re welcome. Glad you found this video so close after your surgery so you can get started.
Thank you for the instruction - very helpful as all your videos! Your explanations are perfect to follow along.
Great to hear!
Thank you! I have cording in my elbow in the arm where there was lymph node removal. I had double mastectomy surgery at the beginning of December. This means I can't stretch my left arm out without the cord showing up visibly in my left elbow and there is a lot of tension. It probably starts in my armpit.
Wow, I just massaged in my own armpit area and down my left arm just like you showed (the perpendicular massage and circular massage), and the cord in my elbow seemed to pop back to normal and I could keep my elbow straight! I will keep doing that for now and see how it goes! Thank you so much again!!!
@@BlessedForever888 That’s great! Keep at it as there can be ups and downs before full resolution.
Extremely helpful so happy and grateful
So glad it was helpful! Hope it doesn't take too long for your cording to improve.
Thank you. These really help!
Glad to hear!
Excellent, informative thankyou
So grateful thank you very much 🙏🏼❤️
So helpful! Thank you
You’re welcome!
How soon can you do this after surgery
Generally once you’re past the 6 week mark after surgery. Before then you can do all of the range of motion exercises for your shoulders (see videos on rehab 0-3wks and 3-6 wks).
I'm 4 weeks post DMX today and noticed the cording yesterday. I have it in my CA affected side arm pit as well as below my rib cage-left side. Can I start the exercises now? or Must I wait 6 weeks? Love your videos :) Thank you so much for offering your personal, professional and educated support. P.S. Started my exercises the day after I got home from surgery.
If it were me, I would start the exercises now. The 6 weeks is a general guideline so that women would hopefully be cautious if they started before this time point. Definitely listen to your body when doing this at the 4 week mark post-surgery. Appreciate your kind words!
I had auxillary breast tissue removed from one armpit. No cancer thank goodness. Its been 4 weeks. I noticed severe tenderness along the inside of my arm down past my elbow and super tender spot just below my inside elbow in the soft tissue. My Dr insisted it was from me favoring my arm and had nothing to do with his surgery. I actually felt the cords tonight in my forearm. How soon can I begin exercising the arm? I'm almost 67. I've had a radical abdominal hysterectomy for cervical and endometrial cancer 3 years ago.I have been using it and trying to extend it with finger walking and rotating hanging swing.
The cording strategies can be started 4-6 weeks post-surgery. If you’re at 4 weeks I would check with your health care team for your case. You could also follow some of the general rehab exercises post-surgery to progressively work on your arm movement (Look for rehab videos 0-3 weeks and 3-6 weeks post-surgery). This would be in addition to the cording strategies.
I had cording randomly a couple years ago after an IV start, it was so painful but I stretched until the cords popped
Interesting!
I also suffered with it after my double mastectomy. However, after my surgeon performed the tissue expander exchange surgery I haven't noticed it. I was thinking maybe because my surgeon did some fat grafing near those areas.
My cording didn’t resolve after my exchange surgery but definitely improved. That’s great to hear you haven’t noticed it since your surgery!
Its been less than two weeks since my lumpectomy and I have cording...is it too early to do anything?
If I were at that stage I would start. I wouldn't do cupping or deep stretches but movement and self-massage would be helpful.
Hi, thanks so much for the video, it’s really good. I have cording from SMX and ANX in July 22. I’ve been doing most of the exercises you suggest but it’s still very stubborn so I’d like to try cupping - but is it ok to do this if you have lymphoedema? Mine started just 2 months ago and I wear a compression sleeve and do daily simple lymph massage
If it were me I would work on the other strategies & lymphatic massage first to see some improvement in the lymphedema before adding in the cupping.
😢Thank you im try this..
Best of luck!
Thank you for your videos on cording. My cording has gotten worse in the last several months after having a mastectomy in 2019 and this is 2023. I’ve been puzzled why it’s worse now and really want to get rid of the cording and I’m looking forward to a cording-free arm again! Any thoughts as to why it’s worse now?
Cording can return but it’s not typical. Sorry that’s the case for you! Just as the onset can be related to inflammation in the area, there may have been increased inflammation or tension in your shoulder, chest or underarm area more recently. Lymphatic massage and general myofascial release (hands-on treatment) will help in addition to the exercises.
❤ Thank you
You're welcome 😊 Hope the strategies help.
I had right mastectomy last Dec.14 2023 and i cant straight up my right arm.
You've come to the right place! There's lots of info to help improve your shoulder motion and function. You can start off with the rehab exercises (0-3 weeks, 3-6 weeks and 6+ weeks). It's ok if you're already past the 3 week mark after surgery. It's good to start with the basics and progress from there. You can also do the streching series.
Cord is so tender and im afraid about to be aggressive with it 🥺🥺like massage or manual therapy 🥺
It’s normal to be so hesitant when you have pain! You can start with very light pressure for self-massage and then go deeper over time as you feel more comfortable. Doing exercise/rehab (also starting slow) can give you some confidence that it’s ok to get in there to address the cording.
Thank you. I had a breast reconstruction 6 weeks ago. I am always hesitant to push further because I get scared when I feel pain. It’s improving but very slowly
@Tcgrande77 Sometimes it’s challenging to know when to push things and when to hold back. Once you’re past the 6 week mark post-surgery you’re through the acute stage of healing and you can generally push things more.
Can i ask how much it takes to back to normal
Cording recovery is quite variable. The research suggests many weeks to months. Mine is still visible 2.5 years out but my function is quite good.
@@breast-cancer-rehab mine is not visible actually but i have a pain while swimming, lifting my hand up and even when brushing my teeth. Is it supposed to hurt while doing these exercises. Thanks in advance
@@salihammar5184I would check with a practitioner/therapist to confirm your diagnosis and then you'll have a better idea of what to expect with symptoms and what to do to manage this.
Thank you for all your support and videos. I’m body aware and fit, this cording is driving me crazy! No one talks about it, thank you again ❤
I hear you! I wasn’t aware of cording either. It seems even more obvious when you’re body aware.
I had lymp node in my left axilla, I asked my doctor and he suggested some antibiotics and pain killers to resolve it, after that even though I didn't get any surgery to remove lymph nodes, I am having cording, and whenever I try to put my hand up it's so painful to do, I am doing your mentioned streching for somedays now, it helps only when I am doing the streching but after sometimes it get back to normal like same pain same discomfort, can you please suggest me what should I do now??
Cording can be so stubborn. Try to do as many of the strategies as possible and keep doing them consistently. Your persistence will pay off over time but it can take many, many months.