As we honor Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we recognize not only the challenges faced by breast cancer survivors but also the importance of breast and chest health for everyone. Whether you’re recovering from breast cancer, dealing with post-surgical pain, or experiencing discomfort due to other factors like stress or posture, maintaining healthy breast and chest tissue is key to overall well-being. Understanding the role of fascia can be a powerful tool in addressing these issues and promoting long-term health.
We’ve created a special workshop just for breast and chest health!
Why Fascia Matters
Fascia is a connective tissue network that surrounds and supports muscles, organs, and bones, allowing smooth movement and coordination throughout the body. Fascia also impacts our circulation, lymphatic drainage, and even our perception of pain. When healthy, fascia is flexible and responsive, enabling pain-free movement. However, when it tightens due to surgery, radiation treatments, breastfeeding, or stress, it can cause pain and restrict movement. The fascia in the breast and chest can also be affected by the continual wearing of a tight bra. Fascia is meant to move and stretch!
Fascia is also closely connected to the lymphatic system. For those who have undergone breast cancer treatments, fascial restrictions can impair lymphatic drainage. Lymph node removal and radiation can cause swelling and discomfort. Addressing these fascial restrictions can help restore proper function and alleviate symptoms.
Breast Cancer Survivors & The Broader Scope of Breast & Chest Pain
For breast cancer survivors, the journey doesn’t end after treatment. Up to 60% experience long-term chest and breast pain, tightness, and limited mobility due to scar tissue. This includes fascial restrictions from surgery or radiation treatments. Many aren’t aware that fascia-informed™ therapies like myofascial release can address these issues, improving mobility and reducing pain.
Breast and chest pain isn’t exclusive to breast cancer survivors. Over 70% of women experience chest pain for reasons like breastfeeding, post-surgery tightness, or stress. Breastfeeding can lead to issues like blocked ducts or mastitis, which can create fascial restrictions. Stress and poor posture can also tighten chest muscles, leading to headaches, restricted breathing, and shoulder discomfort.
At Mayer Fascia Wellness, we are a team of highly trained occupational therapists with a specialized focus on fascial health and its critical role in pain management, mobility, and overall functionality. Our holistic, fascia-informed™ approach integrates a variety of therapeutic techniques tailored to your specific needs, providing the opportunity for optimal healing and function.
Resources for Breast and Chest Health
We offer comprehensive services, including:
Myofascial Release Therapy
This gentle, hands-on manual technique addresses restrictions in the fascia, promoting better movement, circulation, and healing. By applying targeted pressure, we help soften scar tissue, improve mobility, and alleviate pain caused by fascial restrictions. For breast cancer survivors, this can mean:
- Reduced Pain
- Enhanced Mobility
- Improved Lymphatic Drainage
Posture, Alignment, and Ergonomics
Proper posture and alignment are key to maintaining healthy fascia, especially after surgeries or injuries. We offer personalized assessments and interventions to improve posture, reduce strain, and enhance daily functional movement, helping you feel stronger and more balanced. For those interested in learning more about posture, check out our on-demand course.
Natural Movement Coaching
Movement is medicine. Our therapists are experts in guiding clients through natural movement patterns that support long-term health and wellness. We help you retrain your body to move efficiently and pain-free, whether recovering from surgery, managing chronic pain, or looking to enhance overall fitness.
Workshops and Classes:
In addition to one-on-one therapy, we offer fascia-informed™ workshops and yoga classes that keep your body’s fascia healthy, hydrated, and mobile. Our myofascial self-treatment workshops empower you with the tools and techniques to maintain your fascial health anywhere!
At Mayer Fascia Wellness, we are dedicated to helping our clients achieve a pain-free, active lifestyle. Whether you’re recovering from breast cancer treatment, dealing with postural imbalances, or looking to improve your overall well-being, our comprehensive occupational therapy services are here to support your journey toward better health.
For breast cancer awareness month, we created a special breast and chest myofascial self-treatment workshop. This workshop is open to anyone interested in learning a fascia-informed™ approach to myofascial self-treatment for the breast and chest areas of the body. We hope you join us at future workshops! 💖
Visit Mayer Fascia Wellness for more information on how our occupational therapists can help you. Explore our workshops, services, and personalized care options.
Kaitlyn Rambo OTD, OTR/L, PAMS, LSVT-BIG
