Breast Cancer Recovery & Rehabilitation

Treatment to fight cancer is one thing … recovery is quite another. Our goal is to restore function and teach self-management strategies early in the post-mastectomy recovery process.

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Ivy Rehab / Therapy Services / Physical Therapy / Breast Cancer Recovery & Rehabilitation

Breast cancer treatment.

Treatment to fight cancer is one thing…recovery is quite another. Our goal is to restore function and teach self-management strategies early in the post-mastectomy recovery process. We will be there for the entire journey from start to finish. Our team has the education and experience to ensure that you receive the best care possible after your breast cancer surgery or radiation therapy.

If you are recovering from breast cancer or have had a prophylactic (preventative) mastectomy after a positive test for the BRCA gene mutation or other genetic mutations, we are here for you. Physical therapy has been shown to be beneficial in aiding you in the breast cancer recovery process and can help breast cancer patients in many different ways.

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Women Breast Cancer Support Charity Concept
Joyful cancer survivor in her 30s, wearing a pink headscarf and yellow sweater, flexing her muscles in an urban setting.

Reasons physical therapy post-surgery may be prescribed.

To prepare for radiation treatment:

  • A certain amount of shoulder range of motion is required to begin breast cancer treatment

To reduce post-breast surgery side effects:

  • Scar tissue/soft tissue mobility
  • Axillary Web Syndrome (AWS) (Cording)
  • Flexibility
  • Range of motion
  • Strength

To combat the side effects of chemotherapy:

  • Decreased cardiovascular endurance
  • Sarcopenia (age-related loss of lean muscle strength and function, replaced by fat)

What makes physical therapy for breast cancer different from traditional physical therapy?

Manual therapists have been trained to restore scar tissue mobility, range of motion, flexibility, strength, and muscular and cardiovascular endurance. With a patient who is recovering from breast cancer, physical therapy specialization requires not only treating these side effects but also having a thorough understanding of specific precautions. These specifics include post-surgical, chemotherapy, and/or radiation therapy precautions, the importance of scar tissue mobility, stretching, and progressive strengthening.

Physical Therapy for breast cancer can help with:

  • Myofascial release techniques
  • Shoulder dysfunction management
  • Orthopedic shoulder and/or neck issues
  • Posture restoration
  • Post-fat-grafting and plastic surgery tissue remodeling
  • Acute and chronic rehabilitation strategies
  • Lymphedema prevention, treatment, and management
  • Reconstruction soft tissue re-alignment and functional breast cancer recovery
  • Wound and skincare as needed
  • Cancer-related fatigue management
  • Breast care for individuals who test positive for BRCA gene mutation or other genetic mutations
  • Utilizing strategies that include:
Back Pain & Stress

Empowerment through education.

Our highly trained therapists also focus heavily on patient education. We believe that empowerment through knowledge is a vital component of the rehabilitation process, and we will make sure that you are educated about what to expect throughout your journey. Our goal is to help you feel prepared and knowledgeable about symptoms you may encounter following breast cancer surgery, as well as activities and/or exercises that may be helpful to you throughout your healing process.

If you have just undergone targeted breast cancer treatment, now is the time to receive effective, targeted therapy from Ivy Rehab to assist your recovery. Our recovery therapists are experts in post-surgery treatment to help breast cancer patients with a comfortable rehabilitation process.

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Find the right therapy today.

Discover how Ivy Rehab can help you achieve your therapy goals.

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Check out some of our 4 and 5 star reviews

Excellent4.8★★★★★ review us on ★★★★★ I was in a terrible accident in October and my doctor recommended coming to Parks Sports and seeing Stephaine. She was so great! I saw her 2x a week for about 5 months and was back to work within 2 months. She wasn’t just part of my physical healing but also emotional, thank you for everything Stepanie!Response from the ownerThank you, Gloria! So glad you can return to things you do. ★★★★★ Highly recommend, very positive experience!After tearing my Achilles playing basketball, Tyler, Adam, and Michelle helped me go from non-weight bearing to running. Over the past five months, the Ivy Rehab team has consistently provided me with different exercises to regain muscle size, improve stability and range of motion, and simulate various athletic movements to regain muscle memory. The Ivy Rehab team was very personable and knowledgeable especially when answering specific questions about the cause of my injury, various timelines throughout PT, and how to combat new pains/feelings from my injury.Response from the ownerThank you so much for your positive feedback, it means the world to us! – The team at Ivy Rehab Physical Therapy, Conshohocken ★★★★★ The best decision I made was going to this PT clinic. Everyone goes above and beyond to make sure that you reach your goals and eliminate pain and discomfort. Getting a second surgery was an easy decision knowing I will have this team behind me every step of the way.Response from the ownerThank you so much for your positive feedback, it means the world to us! – The team at Ivy Rehab, North Wales! ★★★★★ I can’t say enough great things about the physical therapists and physical therapist aides I’ve been working with to get my hamstring better. Brian, Cosimo and Bo – the physical therapists I’ve worked with – are amazing at what they do.My exercises are carefully chosen based on each session I have at Excel. Brian, Cosimo, and Bo give me their complete focus when I’m doing my rehab exercises. My hamstring has gotten better thanks to their attention and focus.Primo and Talia – the physical therapy aides are amazing to work with. They offer clear directions for each exercise. They help keep my session moving along.I highly recommend Excel! I’m so happy I was referred here.Response from the ownerHi Kerri – what an awesome review! This is incredible to read and really appreciate you taking the time to share your experience. We’re so glad that the Hackensack team was able to help you with your recovery. ★★★★★ I have been completely impressed by Tim’s expertise and knowledge. My symptoms began decreasing within in 2 visits. Great hand specialist, great practice! ★★★★★ Two months after my foot fracture I was still finding it very difficult to walk and I searched for the physical therapy center close to my home. I was delighted with Excel physical therapy and chose to have Catherine as my physiotherapist after reading good reviews about her. I felt better at the very first session – 50% of the stiffness that follows a fracture was gone! I am now having treatment for my hips and my back and hoping for the same excellent results.Response from the ownerThanks, Cathy! We are so glad you chose Excel PT. ★★★★★ So happy for choosing ivy rehab for my twins . When my twins first got here they made very little eye contact and little to no speech . Their speech has improved so much and play skills. I can finally feel like they understand me and understand them . They are always eager to enter their session with speech and ot ❤️ I love to hear them say, “time to go to ot “Response from the ownerThank you so much for sharing your thoughts, we appreciate you! – The team at Ivy Rehab for Kids, Canton ★★★★★ What a great facility! Everyone is very friendly and helpful at all times. My physical therapist was Cosimo and he helped me get back into my prime in no time! Highly recommend!Response from the ownerHi Alina! Thanks so much for taking the time to leave us a review and recommendation. Glad to hear about your experience with Cosimo! ★★★★★ Chris is a wonderful therapist. He took the time to put together a program that was specifically designed to me so I was able to return to a better and stronger version of myself. He is extremely knowledgeable and I would recommend Chris to anyone who needs physical therapy. I felt confident in his care and will return to him in the future. Thank you, Chris!Response from the ownerThat’s wonderful to hear – thank you so much for sharing your feedback with us! – The team at Ivy Rehab Physical Therapy, Caledonia ★★★★★ I couldn’t be happier with my experience at Ivy Rehab Fishers. I’ve worked with both Rachel and Kevin and have nothing but good things to say. The environment is very clean, professional, and welcoming. I’d recommend this place to anybody seeking physical therapy. Thank you! ★★★★★ Everyone at this location is knowledgeable, kind and caring. You always get 5 star treatment from everyone here. From the moment you walk you get greeted and taken care with ease when scheduling follow up appointments and don’t have the hassle of dealing with insurance.The physical therapists are also top of line who go above and beyond to take care of you, with kindness, compassion and knowledge.Although I’ve seen almost everyone there, the primary 2 therapist I work with are Karen and Veronia, who both find new and creative ways to treat me based on my physical abilities.I couldn’t have envisioned a better team to work with.Response from the ownerThank you so much for your positive feedback, it means the world to us! – The team at Peak Performance, New Hyde Park! ★★★★★ It’s been a miracle working with Dr Kris.I couldn’t walk on me knee for 2 weeks. No weight baring had to use a walker.My knees are bone and bone per the x-ray and the orthopedic surgeon.After one visit with Dr. CHRIS, my legs were swinging freely and my left one wouldn’t bend at all.After my second appointment, My knee was down to about one or 2% pain. I was barely limping.The dry needling that he did on me is miraculous.Thank you, Dr. CHRISResponse from the ownerThank you so much for your positive feedback, it means the world to us! – The team at Ivy Rehab Physical Therapy, Caledonia ★★★★★ The staff at Maximum Performance is absolutely professional and friendly, and the facility is great. My post-surgery treatment was spot-on and helped me progress to the point I started engaging in workouts within weeks.Response from the ownerHi Ignace! That you for your kind words about both our staff and facility. We are happy to hear that you are achieving your post-op goals…Go Giants! ★★★★★ I have been coming to Ivy Rehab (Peak Performance) since 2008 and YES I’m back again 2024. I’ve had 2-arthroscopy surgery, 2 knee replacements and now back again. Everyone at this Facility go beyond there job function. I’ve had a lot of therapy through these years and I have always came back. Thank you John and your team for all they have done for me.Response from the ownerIt’s great to hear this feedback! Thank you for taking the time to share your review! – The team at Ivy Rehab Physical Therapy, Island Park ★★★★★ After my shoulder injury, I began treatment and therapy at Ivy Rehab and I can’t say enough about this great place! I worked with Kelsey and Marissa and both ladies were professional, compassionate and genuine in their care for me. I would highly recommend Ivy Rehab Shelby NC for any therapy or rehab needs!Response from the ownerThank you for taking the time to share your experience, it means so much! – The team at Ivy Rehab PT, Shelby ★★★★★ Chris does tremendous work focusing on ways to get my mobility back and provides useful guidance and techniques to help maintain going forward. I felt amazing after each session and highly recommend Chris for your PT needs.Response from the ownerThank you for taking the time to share this review, it means so much! – The team at Ivy Rehab Physical Therapy, Caledonia ★★★★★ I would like to recommend this place to anyone seeking Physical Therapy. Upon arrival I am always greeted with a smile. Everyone working there including Veronia, Ryan, Serratia, Freddie, Jaci, and my Physical Therapist Nicole were very helpful.Nicole is very professional and really cared. She is very intelligent and knew exactly how to help me. The facility is very clean and they do a great job keeping things running. Excellent experience!Response from the ownerIt’s great to hear this feedback! Thank you for taking the time to share your review! – The team at Ivy Rehab Physical Therapy, New Hyde Park ★★★★★ This is not my first encounter with physical therapy.Brian Stinton is by far the most knowledgeable,compassionate and dedicated physical therapist that I have ever encountered.His diligence and perseverance in making sure that I succeeded has left me with the impression of a person truly dedicated to his profession.Response from the ownerHi Herbert – we’re so happy to hear about your experience with Brian. Thank you for taking the time to let us know! ★★★★★ Personal, excellent caliber PT! Christian is great! When one modality doesn’t seem to bring results he has something else for you to try! Very positive place! The whole team has your back!Response from the ownerHi Susan, thanks so much for sharing your experience. We’re so happy to hear you achieved results with Christian and our Cresskill team! We really appreciate your review. ★★★★★ The Park Sports Team was great in helping me navigate insurance and a treatment plan for my injury. They were very responsive and accommodating when I needed to move appointments around, and never made me feel like it was an issue. Emmanuel at the front desk always got back to me quickly for scheduling and payment options. Megan, my therapist, was very professional and always gave me her full attention, even when the place was busy. She helped get my shoulder back into working order and I’ve got a slew of exercises I can do at home to maintain my new strength. Can’t say enough nice things about the team!Response from the ownerThank you for sharing this with us! – The team at Park Sports Physical Therapy, Brooklyn – Williamsburg ★★★★★ I was Laura’s patient for over a month, getting PT on an injured elbow. She was professional, knowledgeable, and I always left feeling like I made progress. Laura got me back to work and I am thankful!Response from the ownerThank you for sharing this with us! – The team at Excel Physical Therapy, Hackensack js_loader