Physiotherapy in Breast Cancer

Physical therapy can help with the following symptoms related to breast cancer:

• Decreased skin elasticity (skin changes);
• Pain;
• Sensitivity changes;
• Decreased strength;
• Decreased range of motion;
• Lymphatic complications (seroma / lymphorrhea, lymphocele, wall edema, breast edema, superficial lymphatic thrombosis, lymphedema).
• Fibrosis;
• Vascular changes;
• Treatment-induced nerve changes.

The techniques used in physiotherapyin breast cancer are techniques that seek:

• Reduce edema, such as massage, lymphatic drainage, compression bandaging, elastic sleeve, and pressure therapy;
• Increase the patient's strength, range of motion, and functionality through clinical exercise.
• Manual techniques such as massage or myofascial therapy to improve the condition of the surrounding soft tissue and scar.

Other treatment techniques can also be used, depending on the changes in each patient, such as electrotherapy, acupuncture, myofascial techniques or even exercises and pelvic floor physiotherapy. The work of the pelvic floor muscles has a huge impact since sexual function is often affected after cancer.

Physiotherapy over time

Breast cancer survivors should have periodic follow-up with their oncologist and should be aware of possible changes that may appear and that may be an alert for new pathologies. Among which we can highlight pathologies such as dysfunctions in range of movement, pain, fatigue, neuropathy, bone fragility and arthralgias, as well as cardiovascular and pulmonary function.

In these cases, the physical therapist acts to prevent possible dysfunctions as well as to treat them, always performing a previous evaluation and elaborating a personalized treatment and exercise plan.

Physiotherapy will help the patient to understand a little better what changes to make in their daily life in order to prevent or reduce the onset of complications.

However, physical therapy should not be performed only after surgery. Physical therapy should accompany the patient from the initial moment of diagnosis, enhancing the entire treatment and reducing the possibility of complications. 

A Physiotherapy has shown great improvements in the patient's condition, having as its objective:

• Improve symptoms related to the upper limbs, trunk, and affected area by improving the mobility of the limb and the mobility of the surrounding tissues;
• Helping the healing process;
• Improve edema, preventing the possible formation of lymphedema and skin infections;
• Restore the motor function of the limb;
• Correct the posture;
• Improve the aesthetics and function of the scar / breast reconstruction;
• Facilitate social return;
• Facilitate occupational/vocational adjustment.

At Michelle Bond Clinic the physiotherapy sessions focus on individualized and personalized treatment. They last about 1 hour.

In our service, besides the technical quality, we value the integrality of the care and the quality of the relationship between the patient and the team. Follow-up is done between sessions in order to obtain faster and more lasting results.

• 1 Session of Physiotherapy (1 hour): 60€.
• Package with 4 sessions: 220€.

Health Insurance

• Future Healthcare: 15% discount on list price
• ADSE Free Regime: In this regime, ADSE beneficiaries are free to choose healthcare providers, outside the scope of the ADSE Network. This regime works by initially bearing the total charges, and then requesting reimbursement from ADSE, which will be attributed in accordance with the Price Table and Rules of the Free Regime in force. For more information on how to request reimbursement, please visit the ADSE website.

At the moment, we do not work with other health insurances, however, we provide invoice and reports necessary to be reimbursed by the insurance company.

Degree in Physiotherapy from Escola Superior de Tecnologia da Saúde in Coimbra.

Specialization in Physiotherapy and Breast Cancer at Bwizer, Lisbon

Highly qualified. Believes in continuous training. Has different complementary training.

Always, to guarantee excellent results for your patients.