How have others dealt with tightness in the chest following double mastectomy?

TeamofHope

I'm 3 months out from surgery and currently in chemo. I just graduated from the camisole to a bra with prosthesis.

I've found a few exercises on youtube, but I still seem quite "tight". The surgeron and oncologist say I am recovering beautifully on my chest, but I would like to know if others have had success with certain exercises, etc, how long and how often do you do them? Thanks for any tips!

Elaine_wi

Scar Mobilization

I was still quite tight after three months. I went to physical therapy for a couple weeks for scar mobilization and range of motion exercises. I also did scar mobilizations on my self with vitamin E oil. I listened to my body and stretched the areas that felt tight. The tightness improved a lot within a couple of weeks.

Our body has an amazing ability to heal itself. What I have learned is that the healing takes place in stages and continues to improve, a few days at a time, on our body's own time schedule.

Apaugh

life long for me.

Like Elaine, I went into PT with a specialist in that area.  It has been over a year since my double mastectomy.  I do the massages everyday.  Since I have lymphedemia in my arms, mine will be lifelong.  In the shower with soap works great and lotion before you go to bed.  Keeping that scar tissue broken up is important.

TeamofHope

Elaine_wi said:

Scar Mobilization

I was still quite tight after three months. I went to physical therapy for a couple weeks for scar mobilization and range of motion exercises. I also did scar mobilizations on my self with vitamin E oil. I listened to my body and stretched the areas that felt tight. The tightness improved a lot within a couple of weeks.

Our body has an amazing ability to heal itself. What I have learned is that the healing takes place in stages and continues to improve, a few days at a time, on our body's own time schedule.

tightness in chest

Hello Elaine and Apaugh too, I don't know what "scar mobiliztion" means, is this something your PT showed you?  I would like to find a PT who has had experience in double masectomy recovery. I have rubbed Vit. E oil into my scars, altough I've gotten a bit lax on the regularity. Since you both were helped by that, I will continue and nifty tip, to do it in the shower. Have either of you heard of 'Lymplatic enhancement therapy, or LET"? or "oncology massages". Yes, "we were fearfully and wonderfully made!" Thanks for your answers!

 

Elaine_wi

Ask your surgeon to refer you to a physical therapist who is experienced with mastectomy recovery. The PT can explain scar mobilization, it is not too complicated. It helps the new collagen fibers to lay down in a straight pattern rather than in multidirectional clumps, thereby reducing tightness. Here's a website that explains it:

https://www.verywell.com/scar-tissue-massage-and-management-2696639

If you have lymphedema, LET sounds like a good idea. Even if you don't, anything that helps with lymphatic circulation is healthy for anyone. An oncology massage is not much different than a regular, therapeutic massage other than the massage therapist having more awareness of what each client's specific needs are.

TeamofHope

Elaine_wi said:

Ask your surgeon to refer you to a physical therapist who is experienced with mastectomy recovery. The PT can explain scar mobilization, it is not too complicated. It helps the new collagen fibers to lay down in a straight pattern rather than in multidirectional clumps, thereby reducing tightness. Here's a website that explains it:

https://www.verywell.com/scar-tissue-massage-and-management-2696639

If you have lymphedema, LET sounds like a good idea. Even if you don't, anything that helps with lymphatic circulation is healthy for anyone. An oncology massage is not much different than a regular, therapeutic massage other than the massage therapist having more awareness of what each client's specific needs are.

I appreciate the new

I appreciate the new information, Elaine. I will definately pursue this avenue. I do not have lymphedema.  Bless you!

Elaine_wi

Keep us Posted

I'm glad you visited this board. You can find a lot of support here. Keep us posted on how you're doing.

ballerina06

After PT, I continue to do

After PT, I continue to do light stretches, massage, heat pad on low and I soak in Epson salt. My last mx was in 2014 and since then my chest muscles feel much looser  but I do light stretches everyday.

TeamofHope

That sounds very encouraging,

That sounds very encouraging, Ballerina06! Thank you for sharing your success with the tighness!

TraciInLA

TeamofHope said:

That sounds very encouraging,

That sounds very encouraging, Ballerina06! Thank you for sharing your success with the tighness!

I need to stretch every day

I had a bilateral mastectomy with no reconstruction nearly 3 years ago now.  My mobility and strength were back to normal quickly, but yes, the tightness is just a small fact of life for me now.  I's mild, and doesn't interfere with my activities, but I definitely have to stretch my arms and chest for a minute or 2 several times a day. 

Mainly, I just have to try not to sit still for too long, especially leaning my arms on my desk -- but I figure that's God's way of telling me I sit too much anyway, so don't really mind the reminder to stand up for a minute, take a few deep breaths, and get some circulation going again!

I also have a couple of yoga stretches that my yoga teacher taught me that I sometimes do in the evenings -- I found just easy, beginner-level yoga very helpful when I was recovering, and there are some great yoga DVDs and online classes out there.

Traci

TeamofHope

TraciInLA said:

I need to stretch every day

I had a bilateral mastectomy with no reconstruction nearly 3 years ago now.  My mobility and strength were back to normal quickly, but yes, the tightness is just a small fact of life for me now.  I's mild, and doesn't interfere with my activities, but I definitely have to stretch my arms and chest for a minute or 2 several times a day. 

Mainly, I just have to try not to sit still for too long, especially leaning my arms on my desk -- but I figure that's God's way of telling me I sit too much anyway, so don't really mind the reminder to stand up for a minute, take a few deep breaths, and get some circulation going again!

I also have a couple of yoga stretches that my yoga teacher taught me that I sometimes do in the evenings -- I found just easy, beginner-level yoga very helpful when I was recovering, and there are some great yoga DVDs and online classes out there.

Traci

You sure have persistance in

You sure have persistance in streaching, Tracy God is our constant Provider, Wise and God. It's funny when it hits me, like it did you, and sometimes I just say to myself, 'That is funny, Lord. Thank you for making me laugh and see the humor in this situation!"