When people think about breast cancer treatments, physical therapy probably isn\u2019t their first thought. However, physical therapy can play an important role in recovery from a mastectomy or lumpectomy.<\/p>\n
A potential side effect of breast cancer surgery is lymphedema, a painful swelling of the breast, chest, shoulder, arm or hand. A specialized type of physical therapy, known as lymphedema therapy, can help manage this condition.<\/p>\n
Rita Ator, physical therapist at ATI\u2019s Bolingbrook West location, says lymphedema therapy is a medical necessity for many patients.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen left stagnant, the condition will worsen, and complications can arise,\u201d says Rita. \u201cInfection can cause patients to be hospitalized.\u201d<\/p>\n
How can PT help?<\/strong><\/b><\/p>\n At ATI, many of the lymphedema-trained therapists practice\u00a0Complete Decongestive Therapy (CDT)\u00a0<\/strong><\/b>which includes:<\/p>\n This treatment not only manages the conditions, but teaches the patient self-care options as well.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" When people think about breast cancer treatments, physical therapy probably isn\u2019t their first thought. However, physical therapy can play an […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1029","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n\n