Osteopathic Care After Breast Cancer Treatment: Continuing Our Education

The learning never stops.

As osteopaths, continuing education is an important part of our practice. We want to keep learning, developing our skills and improving our understanding of the different experiences our patients may go through.

This month, Christian and I will be travelling to Melbourne to undertake a specialised one-day course called After Breast Cancer Treatment: An Osteopathic Approach, presented by breast care osteopath Amanda Hannaford.

Why are we doing this course?

Breast cancer treatment can be life-saving, but the physical effects of treatment don’t necessarily end when the treatment itself is finished.

Surgery, radiation therapy and breast reconstruction can all affect the tissues of the body. Some people may experience ongoing tightness, changes in sensation, scar tissue, adhesions, restricted movement or discomfort. Others may develop issues such as Axillary Web Syndrome (cording) or post-mastectomy pain.

The course will help us develop a deeper understanding of these changes and how they can affect the body during recovery.

What will we be learning?

The course combines both theory and practical learning. We’ll be looking at different breast cancer treatments and their effects on the body’s tissues, as well as learning more about assessment and osteopathic approaches that may be appropriate during and after treatment.

The practical component includes working with scar tissue and adhesions, cording and changes associated with breast reconstruction, as well as approaches for providing symptomatic relief.

An important part of the course is also understanding when it is appropriate and safe to provide treatment, and when other healthcare professionals or further medical assessment may be required.

Bringing what we learn back into practice

At this stage, we’re going to the course with an open mind. We don’t want to make assumptions about how this knowledge will fit into our practice before we’ve completed the training.

Once we’ve finished the course, we’ll take some time to reflect on what we’ve learned and consider how we can incorporate it safely and appropriately into our osteopathic care.

We’ll share more information towards the end of August, including what we’ve learned and how this may be relevant to people who have completed breast cancer treatment.

We’re really looking forward to expanding our knowledge in this area and bringing that learning back to our patients.

If you have any questions about your individual circumstances or whether osteopathic treatment may be appropriate for you following breast cancer treatment, please speak with your treating medical team and your osteopath.