Physical therapy is indicated in the postoperative breast cancer because after mastectomy, there are complications such as decreased shoulder movement, lymphedema, fibrosis and decreased sensitivity in the area, and physical therapy helps improve arm swelling, and also combats shoulder pain and increased degree of movement, returns normal sensitivity and fights fibrosis.
The main benefits of physiotherapy after breast cancer are improving body image, the ability to perform daily activities and promoting satisfaction with work capacity and self-satisfaction.
- The physical therapist should evaluate a woman’s health and limitations and indicate the physiotherapy treatment that may be performed.
- Such as:.
Some exercises that can be done include those of clinical Pilates and exercises that can be performed inside a pool with hot water, in hydrotherapy.
Women should not be afraid to have a swollen arm after exercise as this is more common in women with a body mass index (BMI) greater than 25 kg/m2, nor does exercise prevent healing, does not facilitate the formation of seromas., nor does it increase the risk of healing complications, being a safe procedure.
Physical therapy is recommended for all women who have had breast surgery, have had additional radiation therapy or not; however, women who undergo radiation therapy after a mastectomy have more important complications and need even more physical therapy.
Physical therapy exercises can be started on the first day of the postoperative period and must respect the limit of pain and discomfort, but it is important to gradually increase the range of motion.
Physical therapy should begin the day before surgery and last 1 to 2 years, before surgery the physical therapist may clear up some doubts, evaluate shoulder movement and perform certain exercises that the woman will need to perform after surgery.It is recommended that you have sessions that repeat 2 or 3 times per week.
The woman should bathe daily, taking care to always apply a moisturizer to the affected area to keep the skin well elastic and hydrated.It is also important to be careful when cooking, cutting nails and waxing to avoid burns, cuts and sores, which can become more easily infected.
The elastic sleeve should be used, as recommended by the doctor and/or physical therapist, with a compression of 30 to 60 mmHg during the day, as well as during exercise, but no need to sleep with the sleeve.
To decrease the swelling of the arm after removing the breast what can be done is to keep the arm up, as this facilitates the venous return, thus reducing swelling and discomfort when feeling the heavy arm.It is recommended to avoid tight clothing, preferring light, cotton fabrics.
A good way to combat shoulder pain after breast removal is to place an ice pack in place of the pain.The compress should be applied daily, 2 to 3 times a day, for about 15 minutes.To protect the skin, wrap the ice pack on a sheet of paper towels.
A good strategy for normalizing sensitivity in the scar area is to desensitize using different textures and temperatures, so it is recommended to perform circular movements with a cotton ball for a few minutes, as well as with a small ice pebble, however the physiotherapist may indicate other ways to obtain results, depending on the needs of each one.
Applying moisturizer throughout the region after a daily bath also helps peel the skin and improve sensitivity.
To combat back and neck pains and just above the shoulders, taking a hot bath and self-masking is a good strategy.Self-massage can be done by applying grape seed oil; sweet almond oil or moisturizer with circular movements in the sore area.
Stretching also helps relieve pain by reducing spasms.See some examples of stretching you can do to combat neck pain.