We can help with these issues and more:
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Home > What We Treat > After Cancer
TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR BODY AFTER CANCER
THERE IS HOPE!
After cancer, many women silently suffer with painful scarring, limited range of motion, lymphedema, numbness, loss of strength, difficulty returning to exercise, and difficulty participating in sexual activity. It’s standard practice to go to rehabilitation after orthopedic surgery; however, many women are unaware they can ask to be referred to rehabilitation after surgery for cancer.
Rehabilitating after cancer is a daunting task and one you do not have to embark on alone. The therapists at You’re In CONTROL! helps you accelerate the healing process and restore muscle and tissue integrity to limit your obstacles. We help you Take CONTROL! and feel at home in your body once again.
THE STATISTICS SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES
After Mastectomy
AFTER MASTECTOMY
Without holistic post-op care, mastectomy can leave women with postural compensations and chronic pain.
After mastectomy, women often experience muscle tightness, tissue restrictions, and nerve tension in their shoulder, neck, chest wall, and arm(s). These issues can lead to postural compensations and chronic pain, not to mention the difficulty participating in upper body exercise and fitness activities.
As an occupational therapy clinic, we are uniquely qualified to provide holistic treatment.
Our rehabilitation addresses physical issues including the shoulder, arm, chest, scars, tissue mobility, breathing patterns, posture, range of motion, and strength. We also address the emotional aspects of rebuilding body image and human occupation. We believe rehabilitation should guide each woman to find home in their body after mastectomy. Each plan of care is unique to each woman’s needs.
Rehab for mastectomy may include:
- Scar Management, Care, and Remodeling
- Postural Training
- Manual Therapy
- Compensatory Strategies
- Nerve Glides
- Myofascial Release
- Adaptive Techniques
- Body Image Intervention
If your mastectomy was last month, last year, or even several years ago, we invite you to utilize our holistic approach to treatment and experience the many ways we can help.
Lymphedema
LYMPHEDEMA
Lymphedema can develop as a side effect of cancer surgery and/or radiation therapy.
Lymph is a thin, clear fluid that circulates throughout the body to remove wastes, bacteria, and other substances from tissues. Edema is the buildup of excess fluid. Thus, lymphedema occurs when too much lymph collects in any area of the body.
When lymphedema develops in people who have been treated for breast cancer, it usually occurs in the arm and hand. However, sometimes it affects the breast, underarm, chest, trunk, and/or back.
When lymphedema develops in people who have been treated for pelvic cancers such as cervical, endometrial, vaginal, uterine, rectal, or colon, it occurs in the lower extremities, genitals, or rectal tracts.
Click image for a larger version and attribution.
As an occupational therapy clinic, You’re In CONTROL! is uniquely qualified to provide holistic treatment. Our rehabilitation addresses the physical issues of lymphedema. We also address the emotional and practical aspects of rebuilding body image. We believe rehabilitation should guide each woman to find home in their body. Each plan of care we create is created to specifically address each individual woman’s needs.
Rehab for lymphedema may include:
- Lymph Massage
- Scar Management, Care, and Remodeling
- Compression Garments
- Manual Therapy
- Compensatory Strategies
- Nerve Glides
- Myofascial Release
- Adaptive Techniques
- Body Image Intervention
Lymphedema occurs in nearly 50% of breast cancer survivors and 40% of cervical cancer survivors. [source]
You are not alone. Our therapy services can help you achieve control of lymphedema.
Citations:
1. Warren, A. G., Brorson, H., Borud, L. J., & Slavin, S. A. (2007). “Lymphedema: a comprehensive review.” Annals of Plastic Surgery, 59(4), 464–472. DOI: 10.1097/01.sap.0000257149.42922.7e
2. Nunns D, Williamson K, Swaney L, et al. “The morbidity of surgery and adjuvant radiotherapy in the management of endometrial carcinoma.” International Journal of Gynecological Cancer 2000;10:233-8.
After Radiation Treatment
AFTER RADIATION TREATMENT
Radiation can cause women’s skin to become fragile and inflamed, leading to long term fibrosis scarring and immobility.
For women after breast cancer, radiation can leave the breasts feeling painful and stiff. For women after cervical or ovarian cancer, it causes bladder or sexual dysfunctions. Radiation can also injure the muscles of the heart, which can lead to difficulty exercising and conditioning.
Our clinic addresses functional impairments from radiation treatment including lymphedema, fatigue, pain, peripheral neuropathy, deconditioning, and genitourinary issues such as bladder leakage and pain with sex. Each woman experiences different impairments during and after radiation treatment. It is important to have an individualized evaluation to focus your rehabilitation.
The best time to start rehab is during the early stages of radiation therapy. This will help reduce local inflammation. The more the inflammation is reduced with therapy, the less scar tissue fibrosis there will be.
Rehab for radiation inflammation and scarring may include:
- Scar Management, Care, and Remodeling
- Postural Training
- Manual Therapy
- Compensatory Strategies
- Nerve Glides
- Myofascial Release
- Adaptive Techniques
- Energy Conservation
- Body Image Intervention
Even if it has been years since you have undergone radiation treatments, therapy is still extremely important. It is never too late to start.
You’re In CONTROL! can help restore tissue mobility, tissue flexibility, range of motion, strength, postural control, and function to all affected areas of the body.
After Gynecological Cancer
AFTER GYNECOLOGICAL CANCER
After surviving gynecological cancer, many women silently suffer with pelvic issues.
Treatment for gynecological cancer often brings about toileting and sexual issues as well as pain throughout the hips and pelvis.
It’s easy for women to remain silent about their pelvic dysfunctions. After cervical cancer, women are often focused on surviving and are unaware there is hope to thrive after treatment. Pelvic functions are in fact an important and daily part of life and should be rehabilitated.
Each woman experiences different impairments during and after cancer treatment. Additionally, each woman has different goals for her body after treatment. It is important to have an individualized evaluation to focus your rehabilitation.
Rehab for women after gynecological cancer may include:
- Scar Management, Care, and Remodeling
- Postural Training
- Manual Therapy
- Compensatory Strategies
- Nerve Glides
- Myofascial Release
- Adaptive Techniques
- Energy Conservation
- Vaginal Dilation
- Body Image Intervention
The best time to start rehab is during the early stages of cancer treatment, but even if it has been years since you have had treatment for gynecological cancer therapy is still extremely important. It is never too late to start.
You’re In CONTROL! can guide you to take control of your body after cancer.
It’s time to take control!
1
Decide to Take Control
Don’t put it off. Decide to take control of your body.
3
WORK YOUR PROGRAM
Use the app, do your exercises, take control of your life.
4
You’re in Control!
Feel like a natural woman again!