Upper-Extremity Lymphedema Therapy After Breast Cancer
If you have noticed swelling, heaviness, or tightness in your arm, hand, or chest after breast cancer surgery or radiation, you are not imagining it, and you do not have to manage it alone. Dickstein Physical Therapy provides specialized upper-extremity lymphedema care in Bethesda, led by Stephanie Miller, PT, DPT, who has spent more than 16 years treating breast cancer-related lymphedema.
What is breast cancer-related lymphedema? It is swelling that can develop after mastectomy, lumpectomy, axillary lymph node removal, or radiation, when the lymphatic system can no longer drain fluid from the arm the way it should. It may appear soon after treatment or years later. Common signs include swelling in the arm, hand, or chest, a feeling of heaviness or fullness, tightness in rings, sleeves, or watches, and aching or reduced flexibility. Caught early, lymphedema is very manageable, which is why we encourage you to call at the first sign of change rather than waiting.
Every visit is a full session, one-on-one with your physical therapist. Your care plan may include manual lymphatic drainage, compression garment guidance and fitting (Stephanie is Sigvaris certified in lymphedema compression), individualized exercise to restore strength and shoulder mobility, skin care education, and training so you can confidently manage your lymphedema at home. We coordinate with your breast surgeon, oncologist, and care team throughout.
Stephanie Miller, PT, DPT, has focused her career on breast cancer rehabilitation and lymphedema management. Her training includes certifications in STAR Cancer Rehabilitation, the Academy of Lymphatic Studies, and Sigvaris lymphedema compression, and she stays current through ongoing oncology rehabilitation education.
Our lymphedema program is dedicated to upper-extremity lymphedema related to breast cancer treatment. If you are dealing with lower-extremity or other forms of lymphedema, give us a call and we will gladly help point you toward an appropriate provider.
Call (301) 229-9110 or request an appointment. Whether you were referred by your surgeon or found us on your own, we will help you understand what is happening and build a plan to manage it.