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No relief from tightness and pain after mastectomy?

Page last modified on: August 20, 2008

Question from Patti: I had a double mastectomy August '05. I still have tightness and pain throughout the area. I have been through physical therapy, but no relief. Any suggestions? Thank you.: Answers —Kristin Brill, M.D., F.A.C.S.: The tightness and pain is probably secondary to scar tissue. Physical therapy is really the first line to address that. There are alternative methods to deal with chronic pain or tightness. Some include practices like yoga or acupuncture. Many women have had success with alternative treatments as well.; Linda Miller, P.T.: Any physical therapy may also need to include some deep soft tissue and scar tissue work. The therapist shouldn't be afraid to actually do aggressive soft tissue work if that's indicated.

On Wednesday, May 21, 2008, our Ask-the-Expert Online Conference was called After Surgery: Short-term and Long-term Effects. Kristin Brill, M.D., F.A.C.S. and Linda Miller, P.T. answered your questions about short-term and long-term side effects of breast surgery, and what you can do about them.

The materials presented in these conferences do not necessarily reflect the views of Breastcancer.org. A qualified healthcare professional should be consulted before using any therapeutic product or regimen discussed. All readers should verify all information and data before employing any therapies described here.

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Meet the Experts

Kristin Brill, M.D., F.A.C.S. is a breast surgeon and clinical instructor at the Thomas Jefferson University Department of Surgery in Philadelphia, PA. She also maintains a practice in Cherry Hill, N.J. Dr. Brill is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons. In addition, she has published breast cancer research in medical journals such as Annals of Plastic Surgery and Cancer, and she has presented research at the American Society of Clinical Oncology.

Linda Miller, P.T. is the clinical director of the Breast Cancer Physical Therapy Center, LTD, a private practice serving the Philadelphia, PA and southern New Jersey areas. Linda specializes in treating post-operative complications of breast cancer surgery, including lymphedema.