MY TOP 5 STRETCHES AFTER BREAST CANCER TREATMENT | Long Term Stretches to improve flexibility
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 8 ก.ค. 2024
- I believe progressive stretching exercises following Breast Cancer Treatment is essential. If you're going to regain full range of movement and be pain free you need targeted stretches for your shoulder girdle, rib cage and upper back.
Unfortunately people are still not referred on to Physiotherapy during or after Breast Cancer Treatment. There are women presenting as new patients up to 15 years following their original treatment with chronic pain and tension....all because they were not shown some simple stretching and mobility exercises early.
But the good news - if your Breast Cancer Treatment finished years ago (or a few months ago), you can still make a positive impact on your movement and reduce your pain. Watch this video to learn my Top 5 Stretches that focus on the areas prone to chronic tension and stiffness.
Thank you! I’m six years post-mastectomy and have never fully recovered my range of motion. I feel better after one round of these stretches.
That is so awesome to hear Camille!! I have a Private Facebook Group called 'The Compass Community' - a global online Breast Cancer Education & Support Network with weekly live education sessions and Q&A. I will be able to assist you more on this platform. Here is the link if you would like to join: facebook.com/groups/breastcancercompasscommunity
Thank you Jen. I look forward to sharing with my sister who is over a month into her recovery from surgery. Nice job with the tips.
Hi Jen. I have recently had a lumpectomy to the lower outside of my breast and had two sentinel lymph nodes removed. (cancer free now, yay!) Unfortunately, I have cording in both 1) my breast (presenting as a noticeable dent with a ridge that runs almost to the edge of my armpit) and 2) my armpit-to-upper-arm areas, but your videos have been a tremendous help. Thank you, thank you, thank you. I have been doing some firm undirected massage since surgery, but was relieved to see this video SHOWING that the direction of massage (toward the armpit). I'd been more or less focusing on trying to break up what feels like scar adhesions and not focusing on moving any accumulated fluids. For my breast, I'd been pretty much cupping my breast and firmly massaging in somewhat of a circular motion but in no particular direction (toward armpit vs toward sternum). By the way, I seem to have a fair amount of nerve damage. Therefore, I do my daily massage in the shower with the benefit of a gentle liquid soap solution. Doing both breasts simultaneously and with the same pressure allows me to be aware of the exact pressure that I am exerting. I would very much appreciate live demonstrations of both breast and arm cord massages to be able to visualize the exact technique that you use. Even if you used a dummy (though a visual of the compression amount is what I'm most interested in), a demo would probably help both me and others similarly "afflicted." Again, sincere thanks for making your videos available. (P.S. I'm in Northern California or I'd be trying to work with you in person.) Best regards to you and all your other viewers.
Hi Emily! Thank you for your lovely feedback. When I originally filmed these videos my editing skills were not up to scratch and I wasn't confident putting up treatment videos. I do one-one-one International Telehealth appointments so if you're interested please email me enquiries@thebreastcancerphysio.com
I also have a Private Facebook Group called 'The Compass Community' - a global online Breast Cancer Education & Support Network with weekly live education sessions and Q&A. I will be able to assist you more on this platform. Here is the link if you would like to join: facebook.com/groups/breastcancercompasscommunity
So much useful information.Thank you so much
I’m so grateful for your help!
My absolute pleasure Kerry! Glad you found this video helpful! Jen :)
😊 Thank you Jen for the great advice and exercises.Really helpful
You're very welcome Cari! Glad you found the video helpful. Jen
Thank you. Everything you mention especially back will definitely be doing. 🌸😘🌸
Thanks Wendy! I've launched a new Private Group on Facebook - The Compass Community - a global online Breast Cancer Education & Support Network with free weekly live education sessions. I will be able to provide more interaction with everyone on this platform. If you would like to join please click on this link: facebook.com/groups/breastcancercompasscommunity
These are great, thanks.
Thanks so much for your positive feedback Lucille! Jen x
Getting ready to do them!
Haha thanks Tona! Hope they are helpful! Jen :)
Thank you for your informative videos. They’ve really helped me a lot.
Thankyou Annie! So glad these videos are helpful for you! Jen x
It's amazing to me how the breast surgeons don't tell you about doing anything to help range of motion.
Another AWESOME video, Jenn!!! Your delivery is just fantastic, so thorough, yet never boring! I’m never left with questions, and always feel as though you’ve kept our safety top of mind. Great stuff!!
Seriously Happy, you just made me seriously happy! haha! Thank YOU for your lovely feedback, SO appreciated! Let me know if there are any specific topics you would like covered. Jen x
I can't even begin to tell you how much I appreciate your videos. Honestly, you've been my best friend through this whole cancer experience.
@@susanl.burnett8426 what a lovely comment! Thank you SO much for supporting my Channel! Jen xxx
Dear Jen, thank you for this video and all the other videos you have made. If I were in your state, I would make appointment to see you. You are so passionate in what you do and helping breast cancer patients. I just had DIEP Flap done and my left arm pit and shoulder region are really uncomfortable. Surgeon says he does not think it is lymphodema (I had 3 nodes removed years ago) and it is early stage healing. I have been trying to massage and stretch a bit on my left side instinctively but finding this video of yours really is a God sent. Thanks again! x
Thank you so much for your lovely feedback! I really appreciate it. Are you in Australia? I can do Zoom Consultations if you're within Australia. Jen
I've launched a new Private Group on Facebook - The Compass Community - a global online Breast Cancer Education & Support Network with free weekly live education sessions. I will be able to provide more interaction with everyone on this platform. If you would like to join please click on this link: facebook.com/groups/breastcancercompasscommunity
@@TheBreastCancerPhysio Hey Jen, for things like physio, I really prefer in person where the physician can feel and massage the affected areas :(. I hope that is understandable. I have made an appointment with one in July in case I need to see one, but she did say my symptoms may ease as I am early days after surgery so I may not need to see her in the end. Meanwhile, I love to watch videos made by practitioners like yourself to gather knowledge. And I really appreciate all the people who make videos like yours to help patients.
You shared about the tennis ball in the video. Can I share something which I learnt from another physician here on TH-cam? Putting the tennis ball into a long sock is very useful. It makes it easier to manipulate the tennis ball, ease of use and ball not falling dropping and having to pick it up etc. Hope that helps. :)
@@TheBreastCancerPhysio Oh I thought I will update. It’s 4 weeks post op and the discomfort under my arm pit and at the back have subsided a lot. I guess it’s post surgery issues. 💖
Thank you for what you're doing. I'm a 16-year BC survivor. I have had so much pain, on an off, over the years. I am so glad I found your videos. Any ideas for tennis elbow/elbow pain? I believe I've developed it due to my lack of mobility. I will begin the exercises in this video. You've made me feel so hopeful!
Hi Susan! Thanks for your lovely feedback! I can help you address tennis elbow / elbow pain. I have a Private Facebook Group called 'The Compass Community' - a global online Breast Cancer Education & Support Network with weekly live education sessions and Q&A. I will be able to assist you more on this platform. Here is the link if you would like to join: facebook.com/groups/breastcancercompasscommunity
After how many weeks of surgery we should do theas stretches?
Hi Jen
Not sure if I'm just missing it but I can't find the link for the foam roller. Are you able to direct me please. Thankyou :)
Hi Lissa, here is a link to foam rollers you can purchase at Kmart: www.kmart.com.au/product/foam-roller-assorted-42556435/
If you want other options google foam roller and it will come up with a lot of other brands / colours / sizes etc. Jen
Do you have patients who report feeling like something it ripping loose when performing the latissimus dorsi stretch? I’m 11 months post op and still feel like something is tearing loose when doing this stretch. I’m going to try your exercises. Thanks again, Jen!
Hi Alynda, I suspect you might be incredibly tight through lat dorsi. Have you tried getting a massage on this muscle? If regular stretching is not helping it may need to be released by a therapist.
I've launched a new Private Group on Facebook - The Compass Community - a global online Breast Cancer Education & Support Network with free weekly live education sessions. I will be able to provide more interaction with everyone on this platform including treatment demonstrations. If you would like to join please click on this link: facebook.com/groups/breastcancercompasscommunity
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I have a quick question. I had a bilateral mastectomy about 6 weeks ago and the drains were removed about a week and a half ago but I feel like I’m experiencing more tightness now than I did previously. The discomfort is really aggravating and I don’t know what to do for it. I have had great range of motion from about a week and a half after the surgery. I feel a very deep itching, and I can’t seem to quench it by scratching it because of the numbness. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I’m 75 years old I’m not sure if age has anything to do with it.
Hi Lucy, the increasing tension is very normal. When surgery is performed you initially have wounds, but then scar tissue is laid down and increases tension. On top of this we strongly tend to overprotect the operated area and soft tissue tension increases. Are you able to get a referral to a Physiotherapist / Physical Therapist that can assess and treat you? Itching can be a sign of inflammation (not infection) and tension so I would still suggest referral to Physiotherapy. Message me back if you're not sure how to get in touch with someone.
I have a Private Facebook Group called 'The Compass Community' - a global online Breast Cancer Education & Support Network with weekly live education sessions and Q&A. I will be able to assist you more on this platform. Here is the link if you would like to join: facebook.com/groups/breastcancercompasscommunity
@@TheBreastCancerPhysio Thank you so much for taking the time to respond! I truly appreciate it. I will look into Physical Therapy here in the states and see if I can find someone to help. I will continue with these stretches.
I really enjoy your approach to PT post mastectomy.
Thank you Mary! Appreciate your positive feedback. Jen x