Breast cancer rehabilitation

Lymphedema and pelvic floor therapy

Lymphedema therapy

Outpatient lymphedema treatment allows patients to work with a lymphedema certified therapist to address minimal to severe swelling because of the normal drainage pattern in the body’s lymph nodes disturbed or damaged by breast cancer. They are trained in treating, educating, and garment fitting when working with lymphedema patients. Lymph node swelling can be the result of surgery that involved the removal of lymph nodes or as a side effect of radiation therapy. A physician diagnosis of lymphedema is required to undergo this type of specialized treatment.

Pelvic floor therapy

Chemotherapy and hormonal therapy for breast cancer may affect your pelvic muscles, also called the pelvic floor. These muscles, which run from the tailbone to the pubic bone, help support your bladder and other organs. While the reason is not really know, hormonal therapy may have something to do with it. Estrogen helps to maintain the health of the pelvic floor. To prevent some breast cancers, hormonal therapy is used to block estrogen and other hormones from reaching breast cancer cells. Blocking estrogen may lead to pelvic floor problems. Also, chemotherapy can cause ovaries to temporarily shut down, leading to early menopause and a weak pelvic floor. Pelvic floor therapy is taught by specially trained physical therapists to help strengthen, relax, and coordinate the muscles, ligaments, and connective tissues in the pelvic area.