The Fascial Voice: Breast Health

Hello patients of Arancia Physical Therapy! In this week’s blog, we will be discussing the very important topics of breast health and breast cancer. We will also discuss the role myofascial release can have in helping you heal from mastectomy, breast reduction, and augmentation. In addition, we will include information about our winner from the Gloria Gemma Passport to Survivorship Event and an invitation to our October Women's Health Event. We hope to see you there!

Breast Health Myofascial release is an effective treatment for many breast issues and post-surgery following mastectomies, breast reduction, and augmentation. In addition to relieving the pain after a mastectomy has healed, MFR can soften your scar and surrounding tissue. In addition to the visible external scar, scars grow internally like a vine. From breast surgeries, these scars can grow like vines into the respiratory diaphragm and into the neck. This can cause serious complications including breathing problems and a tugging sensation from the strength of the scar vine. The tugging will pull you forward and cause a strain in your back and neck leading to headaches, neck pain, and back pain.

Breast Augmentations Scars are common after breast augmentations wether preformed for cosmetic reasons or reconstruction after mastectomies. Breast Augmentation scars commonly resemble a "C" on its back under the breast. They may also come up to the breast's midline with a scar around the nipple. This is due to the nipples having to be repositioned. This process severs many sensory nerves and can cause a very undesirable thick and dark scar. MFR is an effective treatment to lighten and soften these scars.  Aesthetically, augmentations can result in breasts that appear unnatural. They can become hard and do not look or feel normal. Many surgeons don't recognize that fascia runs throughout the body creating a twisting force that tends to cause rotation. While their patient is lying on the surgical table, the breasts may appear level, but this is because the patient isn't standing, in their natural position, with gravity. When the woman stands, they are able to see the fascia drag, which creates a high or low breast. Breasts can also become hypersensitive or have decreased sensation after augmentation. An effective treatment for almost all of these conditions is MFR. MFR can reposition the breasts of patients who have healed from augmentation and help create a more soft, supple and natural appearance.

Breast Cancer October is Breast Cancer awareness month and with important reason. Over 3.3 Million Breast Cancer Survivors are alive in the United States today! We have seen a gradual reduction in female breast cancer incidence rates among women aged 50 and older. Death rates from breast cancer have been declining since about 1990, in part due to better screening, early detection, increased awareness, and continually improving treatment options. We are thankful for the Gloria Gemma Foundation, that provides free programs and support services to breast cancer patients, suvivors and their loved ones in Rhode Island and nearby Massachusetts. We were able to attend their wonderful Passport to Survivorship event on Saturday, September 29th at the Omni Hotel in Providence, Rhode Island.

The winner of our contest, with a guess of 786, and the total number of almonds in the jar being 783, KIM CAMPAGNA! Congratulations!!!! You have won a 1 hour Free PT session, and a Beautycounter gift-set!

We don't want you to wait any longer to start feeling better! Contact us today by phone at 401.602.7006 or by email at jessica@aranciapt.com