Physiotherapy lymphoedema and breast cancer service

The physiotherapy breast cancer and lymphoedema service is based in the Breast Unit, Magnolia Centre, York Hospital.

Physiotherapy provides specialist assessment, treatment and management for patients who have or are at risk of developing upper limb, breast or truncal lymphoedema following breast surgery. Manual lymphatic drainage, lymphatic bandaging and kineosiotaping is available. Patients requiring compression garment are measured and fitted with an initial  arm garment.

There is physiotherapy expertise in the management of cording , scar and tissue tightness following mastectomy , axillary dissection and beast reconstruction.

A Return to Movement class is held in the Breast Unit once a month for individuals who have recently undergone breast surgery included are supervised shoulder exercises, advice on arm position and exercises during radiotherapy  and lymphoedema information and advice. A further session is offered at 4 to 6 months which includes advice and information on returning to exercise and further supervised shoulder exercises.