How Physiotherapy helps post-mastectomy.



Mastectomy

A mastectomy is an operation to remove a woman’s breast, because it has been affected by breast cancer

Large number of women in the world is affected by breast cancer every year. It is a cancer that forms in the cells of the breasts and some breast cells begin to grow abnormally. Most commonly found in women.

Survival rates of breast cancer have increased with the awareness and advances in the diagnosis and management of breast cancer.

Consult your doctor if you find a lump or any other changes in your breast.

Doctors use a mammogram (an X-ray picture of the breast) to look for any early signs of breast cancer.




 

Symptoms:

  • Pain and swelling in any area of the breast.
  • New lump in the breast
  • New lump in the underarm
  • Redness of skin around the breast

 

How Physiotherapy can help post mastectomy?

The complications post mastectomy include Pain, limited range of motion, muscle weakness, lymph edema and also psychological complications like depression, anxiety, negative body image.

Overall management is required for post mastectomy that is a multidisciplinary team of which physiotherapy is a part of

Physiotherapy after breast surgery is important as it may help in reducing pain, Increase Range of motion, strength and reducing the risk of lymph edema.

 

Instructions:

  • Before starting exercise practice breathing properly and continue breathing while performing exercises also.
  • Start on exercises the day after your surgery.
  • Take pain medications 30 minutes before doing exercise.
  • Do not engage in any activity that causes pain and discomfort.
  • Keep your incision clean and dry.
  • While coughing or sneezing place your hand over the incision.

 

1. Diaphragmatic breathing: This breathing technique helps to ease discomfort and tightness around the incision. Start with placing one hand on your upper chest and the other just below your rib cage. This will allow you to feel your diaphragm move as you breathe in and out. Breathe in slowly through your nose so that your abdomen moves out against your hand and expand as shown in below given image. The hand on your chest should remain as still as possible and exhale slowly through pursed lip (as if blowing off candle slowly).





 

2. Shoulder rolls: Stand or sit comfortably and move your shoulder in circular motion, start with making small circles from shoulder until you feel a slight stretch.



 

3. Arm circles: Stand with feet slightly apart for balance. Raise your affected hand outside at your shoulder level slowly not more than 90 degree. Move your hand in circular motion in air and make sure movement is occurring at your shoulder and not your elbow. Keep your elbows straight.



4. Wand exercise: Helps increase your ability to move your shoulders forward. You will need a broom handle or stick. Lie on your back with your knees bent and your feet flat on the bed or floor. Grasp the wand/stick across your belly in both hands with your palms facing up. Lift the stick over your head as far until you feel the stretch. Do Not move more than 90 degree. Hold for 5 seconds and lower your arm slowly.



 

5. Forward wall crawl: helps increasing mobility in your shoulder. Stand in front of the wall with your toes about 7 to 9 inches from the wall. Place your hands on the wall. Use your fingers to climb the wall, reach as high until you feel a stretch. Hold for 5 seconds and slowly move down to the starting position.



6. Elbow winging:  It helps increase the movement in the shoulder and chest. Lie on your back with your knees bent and your feet flat on the bed or floor. Hold onto your hands behind your neck and elbows pointing in the direction of the ceiling. Move your elbows away from each other and down toward the bed or floor.



Above given exercises should be performed twice a day. This post surgery exercises must be performed carefully under supervision of your therapist.



For any queries regarding any of this exercise or health related issues, you can drop a mail at Ultimate Physio

 

 

 

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