Physical Therapy and Breast Health

By Heather Allen, MS, PT

Journeying into Healing, LLC

. http://www.journeyingintohealing.com/

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Physical Therapy and Breast Health

Most people wouldn't know it, but physical therapists provide quite a bit of treatment to restore and maintain breast health. From post-operative care for a reduction, to care after a diagnosis of breast cancer, therapists treat to maintain breast health and provide preventive care; our treatment extends beyond pain, scars, and restoring lost range of motion.

Here's the story of a young woman who has two children and breast fed both. She has a history of breast cancer in her family and has done regular monthly self-exams with no significant findings. She was introduced to and instructed in John F. Barnes myofascial release and self-breast treatment techniques.

While doing a fascial release on her breast one day she had an interesting experience. In conjunction with a fascial release of the breast tissue, she also experienced a discharge of a milky substance from her nipple. She continued with the technique and got more releases, including more discharge from her breast.

The discharge changed to yellow in color and got thicker, about a tablespoon in all. At first she was a little frightened, but then she remembered the words of her therapist, this is not an unusual occurrence. In fact it was a positive one. What had just happened was something that had the potential to save her life.

When the fascial tissue gets restricted in the breast, the same issues can arise as anywhere else in the body. It means cellular toxins can get trapped and normal cellular and system function can be compromised. In the story above, the patient had a history of blocked ducts in that breast while nursing.

What likely happened was a release of fascial restrictions around those ducts allowing the trapped milk to finally escape. As strange as that may sound, this treatment may have saved the young woman's life for there's no way to determine what that trapped milk may have meant for her overall breast health in years to come.

This patient was fortunate to have received training in myofascial release techniques and learned how to do them herself. It's important for women to know that proper breast care and health extend beyond the regular monthly breast self exam. Whether there's a history of breast cancer in your family, or you yourself have had breast health issues, learning and using myofascial release techniques can be life saving treatment.