Breast Cancer Rehabilitation Physiotherapy
Reducing or eliminating the side effects of your breast cancer treatment so you can focus on what matters most.
Ongoing Side Effects From Breast Cancer Treatment Are Extremely Common, But This Doesn’t Have To Be Your “New Normal”
Breast cancer treatment side effects can build over time and take their toll. Though some symptoms will ease over time, many can persist and impact your day-to-day life.
The good news is that many of your symptoms can be improved or eliminated with a balanced breast cancer rehab approach, so you can feel better and focus on what’s most important to you.
No matter where you are along your breast cancer treatment path, breast cancer rehabilitation can help.
Breast Cancer Rehabilitation Can Help With:
- Pain
- Cording (Axillary web syndrome)
- Tightness in the chest, shoulder or neck
- Scar tissue tightness
- Decreased movement of the shoulder, neck and spine
- Muscle weakness
- Post-surgery swelling
- Lymphedema
- Radiation fibrosis
- Post-mastectomy pain
- Cancer-related fatigue
- Tingling in the hands &/or feet (neuropathy)
- Pelvic pain and incontinence
- Pain with intercourse
- Bone health (osteoporosis and osteopenia)
- Heart health
- Fear of movement
- Understanding the “do’s” and “don’ts” of recovery
- Loss of confidence in body
- Returning to sport and work
No matter where you are on your treatment path, breast cancer rehab can help you move with more connection, comfort, and confidence.
Breast Cancer Rehab Physiotherapy Pathways
Comprehensive In-Person & Online Options
Breast Cancer Recovery Program
This comprehensive movement & education program will move you out of survival mode & into recovery mode. Learn what’s going on in your body, what to expect and targeted exercises to help you recover & feel better.
Lymphedema Smart
Learn everything you need to know about cancer-related lymphedema: what it is, how to reduce your risk, how to monitor & detect it early, and where to access skilled treatment if you think you’re developing lymphedema.
Virtual One-on-One Physiotherapy
Your virtual video appointments will be booked specifically with me. Treatments are personalized to your specific needs to improve your well-being and quality of life. (Available to residents of Ontario, Canada only)
In-Person One-on-One Physiotherapy
Your in-person appointments will be booked specifically with me. Treatments are personalized to your specific needs to improve your wellbeing and quality of life.
The Cancer Rehab Physio Experience
What people are saying
"Your online program and exercises were a game changer for my recovery; the overall content of the [Breast Cancer Recovery Program] is amazing. I wish I had had it when I was first diagnosed. It would have alleviated a lot of anxiety and questions."
Kelly
Diagnosed with Breast Cancer
“Thank you for being such a wonderful healer in my life in my darkest days. Not only are you tremendously skilled but you are a gem of a human being whose presence soothed and encouraged me each and every time I saw you. I feel so fortunate to have had you walk with me through the muck...”
Kim
Diagnosed with Breast Cancer
“I was thinking about [Beth] and the work [she does] and [has] done for me. I was hiking in the Gatineau and enjoying the moment. Body in motion, mind somewhat still. Thank you for your expert advice and positive attitude. You were teaching me how to give myself a bit more grace. Your videos of me doing the exercises and your excitement when I made progress helped so much! I am grateful.”
Christina
Diagnosed with Melanoma
"Beth has provided suggestions and treatment that have increased the range of movement of both arms, but even more significantly, made them feel like arms again so that I can participate in normal activities (eg. dragon boating) and be pain free. In the spirit of the body being "connected", Beth's intelligent approach results in improvements in whole body wellness, which she teaches the patient to maintain."
Ann
Diagnosed with Breast Cancer
Breast Cancer Rehab Physiotherapy FAQs
While all physiotherapists are trained to assess and optimize movement, strength and function, the unique needs of people impacted by breast cancer is not commonly understood by “regular” physiotherapists.
Working in breast cancer rehab requires a special set of skills, training and experience. Having worked in this field since 2008, I have sat with hundreds of people impacted by breast cancer. As a result, I have the experience and skills to quickly identify common patterns and problems, making our work together much more effective. This experience and insight are woven into all the treatment pathways I offer.
Although breast cancer rehab can be helpful at any time, the ideal time is before big problems show up. A little information can go a long way!
Breast cancer rehab at this time allows the chance to assess your current situation, answer any questions, identify subtle problems that may be starting (even ones you may not realize), and learn what symptoms you should monitor for so you can get help quickly (when and if you need it.) The sooner we intervene, the better the outcome.
It is never too late to access breast cancer rehab support!
Unfortunately, however, the farther out people are from their original breast cancer diagnosis, the less likely they are to link their symptoms to their breast cancer treatments. This is where I often find people fall through the cracks.
I commonly hear stories of people seeing multiple different health care providers who ultimately weren’t able to help; and the common thread is that the root cause of their symptoms were never linked to their past breast cancer treatments! Though many of these people are left to conclude that they just have to “suck it up”, our work together can change this. Breast cancer rehab, absolutely can help improve your symptoms.
Though general exercise is an important part of breast cancer recovery, breast cancer rehab is much more complex than exercise alone. My whole-person approach to breast cancer rehab uses a combination of tailored education, mindful and targeted movement and hands-on techniques to help you move with connection, comfort, and confidence.
The great news is that there is so much that is within your power to manage after breast cancer surgery; you just might need a little guidance to understand the “do’s and don’ts” and the “why’s”. This is where breast cancer rehab can help. From understanding your healing process, to targeted, progressive and mindful movement, we can take an intentional approach to progressively guide you through your post-surgery healing.
This can be very successfully accomplished through 2 of my treatment pathways: Breast Cancer Recovery or 1:1 Breast Cancer Physiotherapy.
Though cancer-related lymphedema most commonly occurs in the first 2-3 years after breast cancer treatment, the risk of developing lymphedema is lifelong. Understanding how you can manage your lymphedema risk and how to monitor for early signs of lymphedema is extremely important.
This is why I created the Lymphedema Smart Workshop; to give you loads of accurate, evidence-informed information to help you take charge of your lymphedema risk and know when to act if you suspect you’re developing early-stage lymphedema.
Still Wondering If Breast Cancer Rehab Is Right For You?
Exercises That Can Help In Your Recovery
Cancer Surgery Recovery
Mindfulness Practice
Lymphatic Massage
Deep Breathing
Our Latest Posts
Self-Massage for Constipation: The “I Love You” Technique
Managing constipation during cancer treatment can be challenging, but self-care...
Read MoreHow to Manage Constipation During Chemotherapy
Are you feeling a little “blocked up” from chemotherapy? Constipation...
Read More3 Things to Improve Hip & Low Back Stiffness After Pelvic Radiation Therapy
Pelvic radiation therapy can lead to stiffness and discomfort in...
Read More