The Importance of Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy in Breast Cancer Recovery
When discussing breast cancer recovery, the focus often rests heavily on the breasts themselves. However, a crucial aspect that deserves attention is the pelvic floor. While we’re grateful for advancements in treatment options like radiation, surgery, and chemotherapy, these interventions can lead to significant side effects such as pelvic pain, urinary incontinence, and intimacy struggles. These complications can hinder recovery and impact overall quality of life.
A Holistic Approach to Cancer Care
Traditionally, cancer treatments prioritized eradicating the disease, often at the expense of the patient's overall well-being. Thankfully, today's approach has evolved to encompass not just cancer treatment but also the preservation of quality of life. This shift recognizes that cancer influences every aspect of your life, necessitating a whole-person perspective in care.
Embracing Complementary Care: The Role of Pelvic Floor PT
With this broader understanding, there is a growing emphasis on complementary care, including pelvic floor physical therapy (PFPT). PFPT can help individuals regain control over their bodies, relieve pain, and restore a sense of normalcy. Here are some specific ways PFPT can help:
Manage Pelvic Pain: Alleviates pain and improves mobility using manual therapy and stretching techniques.
Enhance Sexual Health: Addresses vaginal dryness and discomfort with targeted exercises and guidance on lubricants and relaxation techniques.
Improve Bladder Control: Strengthens pelvic floor muscles and teaches bladder control strategies to reduce urinary incontinence.
Aid Lymphedema Management: Utilizes manual lymphatic drainage and exercises to reduce swelling post-surgery or radiation.
Restore Core Strength: Rebuilds core and pelvic stability to support recovery and daily activities.
Support Bowel Function: Offers techniques to regulate bowel movements and improve muscle coordination.
Promote Overall Well-Being: Personalized programs improve physical comfort and emotional health, helping patients regain confidence and control.
Despite all the ways that PFPT can help, about half of women undergoing breast cancer treatment report experiencing pelvic floor dysfunction, yet most do not receive PFPT as part of their recovery plan*. Factors such as embarrassment, lack of awareness, financial constraints, and cultural barriers contribute to this gap. It's essential to change this narrative and recognize that breast cancer recovery involves nurturing the *whole* body, including the pelvic floor.
Navigating Painful Sex After Cancer
This topic is of particular concern for many patients. Hormone therapy in particular can significantly alter vaginal tissue, resulting in dryness and discomfort, but these challenges don’t have to be endured silently.
PFPT can effectively address pain, strengthen pelvic muscles, and restore healthy sexual function. Emerging technologies and products, like dilator training, topical estrogen, and biofeedback can also be integrated into your care plan. We can also recommend sexual health psychologists or counselors to address the emotional impacts of body image changes, intimacy concerns, and sexual dysfunction during cancer treatment and recovery.
Prioritizing Your Whole Self
Breast cancer recovery is not just about treating the disease; it’s about restoring your entire self. You deserve to feel good in your body again, both physically and emotionally. We’re here to help you navigate these challenges and regain your strength - give us a call today: (813) 540-0639.
*Source:
Gormley, E. A., & Lightner, K. K. (2017). Pelvic floor disorders and sexual dysfunction in breast cancer survivors: A review. Cancer, 123(8), 1437-1448. DOI: 10.1002/cncr.30434