October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month!

See the video below for a few words from our client Tessa regarding her experience with Vickie at A Step Ahead Physical Therapy. Thanks Tessa!

Breast cancer has become the most diagnosed cancer among women. Many of those undergoing treatment or in recovery are still unaware of the many benefits physical therapy can offer as they traverse their journey. Most women experience one or more common physical impairments which often go unrecognized, untreated, and negatively impact function and quality of life for many years.

Physical therapy can offer solutions for these impairments at many stages along the way. As outpatient physical therapists, we treat clients post-operatively, pre-radiation and after radiation and chemotherapies.

A comprehensive physical therapy evaluation focuses on one’s posture, arm size, strength, and movement of the shoulder blade, shoulder, neck and trunk. The physical therapist will also assess the integrity of any incisions and all soft tissue structures of the chest, armpit, neck, trunk and stomach. The presence of any pain or cording will be noted. We also include manual techniques to address cording, soft tissue and joint dysfunction, and a tailored exercise program will be prescribed. Exercise after breast cancer affords many benefits including: decreased fatigue, decreased severity of nausea, improved weight control and improved self-image, reduction in lymphedema, and decreased risk of cancer recurrence.

Physical therapy should be part of the journey for anyone diagnosed with breast cancer and we are honored to join you on this journey to recovery!