The Saint Peter’s University Hospital Lymphedema Prevention and Rehabilitation Program is a service of the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. Personalized and customized physical therapy and occupational therapy services are provided to meet the special needs of cancer survivors from time of diagnosis to full recovery.
As members of the Saint Peter’s Breast Center interdisciplinary team, physical and occupational therapists are specially trained to understand the side effects of breast cancer and its treatments, and provide comprehensive treatment to enhance recovery, restore and maximize daily function, and improve the quality of life.
Who may benefit from the program for breast cancer patients?
The team of physical and occupational therapists can help patients who are currently undergoing or have completed breast cancer treatment. The rehabilitation program can significantly benefit patients in all stages of treatment – from diagnosis to survivorship – to prevent and manage the side effects of breast cancer surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, and reconstruction.
Patients experiencing the following may benefit from this lymphedema management program:
- Post-operative breast, trunk and/or upper extremity swelling
- Increased sensitivity and pain at the surgical site such as neck, shoulder, upper back, shoulder blade, arm or trunk
- Muscle weakness and limited range of motion in the affected arm
- Painful and restricted soft tissue and scar tissue caused by surgery or radiation
- Cancer-related fatigue and loss of energy
- Difficulty performing activities of daily living such as carrying groceries, reaching into cabinets, hooking a bra, and styling hair
- Difficulty performing recreational activities such as favorite sports, hobbies and , gardening
What treatment options does the program include?
Following a comprehensive evaluation to fully understand each patient’s specific needs and goals, a customized plan of care is provided to help patients regain the physical and emotional wellbeing of their body and mind. Whether the plan of care is for prevention or treatment, our goal is to improve quality of life and return patients to the active and independent lifestyle led prior to cancer.
Depending on individual needs and stage of recovery, the rehabilitation program for lymphedema management may include any of the following:
Lymphedema Prevention and Surveillance Program provides patients with ongoing monitoring and management of lymphedema or other treatment complications throughout the entire course of treatment. Early detection and treatment of lymphedema allows for the most effective treatment and yields better patient outcomes.
- Baseline arm measurements taken prior to surgery
- Post-operative follow-up for arm measurements and management of edema
- Early education and instruction in risk reduction and self-management
- Ongoing surveillance to allow for early intervention if complications arise
Education and Instruction allows for patients to take an active role early in their recovery. The program includes instruction in:
- Lymphedema risk reduction and prevention
- Self-Management techniques for lymphedema
- Education and instruction is safely returning to exercise and recreational activity
- Pain management
Complete Decongestive Therapy is presently the “gold standard” of treatment for the management of lymphedema and includes:
- Manual lymph drainage
- Compression bandaging and compression garments
- Lymphatic exercise
- Education in skin care, prevention, and self-management
Specialized hands-on treatment techniques encourage healing and reduce complications following surgery and radiation. They may include:
- Manual lymph drainage
- Scar massage
- Myofascial release techniques
- Joint and soft tissue mobilization
Therapeutic modalities may be used in conjunction with a comprehensive physical therapy program including complete decongestive therapy to reduce symptoms of lymphedema.
Therapeutic Exercise Program
- Lymphedema exercises
- Post-operative rehabilitation
- Core strengthening and stabilization exercises
- Postural re-education
- Aerobic exercise
- Breathing and relaxation techniques
How do I get started?
Speak to your breast surgeon, oncologist, radiation oncologist, plastic surgeon or primary care doctor if you have started breast cancer treatment and have not had an evaluation by a certified lymphedema therapist, or if you are having symptoms and have not fully recovered from your breast cancer treatment.
Contact our department at (732) 339-7111 with any questions or if you are interested in scheduling an appointment for lymphedema services offered in the Saint Peter’s University Hospital Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.
A prescription from a physician is required to initiate therapy and, depending on your insurance, a referral may also be necessary.
Appointments are available Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.