- by Jenny Wright
Meet my client, Amy; Amy was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2025. Her treatment involved a mastectomy on her right side and a lumpectomy on her left, followed by radiotherapy. She then completed six months of physiotherapy before being discharged, because her progress had plateaued. Amy’s range of movement hadn’t fully returned, and she described her scar tissue on the side of her mastectomy as “extremely tight and solid”.
This was having a real, daily impact:
- Washing her hair had become difficult, with noticeable pulling across her chest
- Reaching her left shoulder with her right arm was a struggle
- Her left arm ached at the end of the day
- Wearing her prosthetic breast was uncomfortable by the late afternoon
- Noticeable “puffiness” under the left arm
Scar Therapy Assessment and Treatment
Amy attended an initial assessment followed by a focused block of four weekly appointments, with a review session four weeks later, a total of six appointments over two months.
Treatment combined specialist Restore Scar Massage techniques to address tissue tightness and restriction, alongside Pilates-based rehabilitation to rebuild movement, strength, and confidence through the shoulder girdle and chest wall.
A personalised home programme was progressed at each appointment to reinforce changes between sessions and encourage long-term self-management.
Results After Six Appointments
By the end of treatment, Amy reported several meaningful improvements:
- Washing her hair was easier and more comfortable.
- Reaching across to her opposite shoulder required less effort.
- Her scar tissue felt softer and appeared less restricted, with reduced pulling towards the armpit.
- Wearing her breast prosthesis became more comfortable throughout the day, a change also noticed by her husband.
- The puffiness under her left arm had reduced.
Amy’s Experience
“I wasn’t sure how much scar therapy could really help, but the difference has been incredible. From the very first session my range of movement improved significantly.”
Why Scar Therapy Can Help After Breast Cancer Surgery
Breast cancer surgery and radiotherapy can sometimes leave scar tissue that feels tight, uncomfortable, or restrictive. While healing timelines vary from person to person, targeted scar therapy and rehabilitation can help improve comfort, mobility, body awareness, and confidence during recovery.
For Amy, six appointments helped her move from ongoing tightness and discomfort towards greater ease in everyday activities. Simple tasks such as washing her hair, reaching into a wardrobe, and wearing her prosthesis became more comfortable again.
She continues to follow her home therapy programme, and we review her progress on an as-needed basis.
Individual results vary, and treatment outcomes depend on factors including surgery type, healing, radiotherapy history, and adherence to rehabilitation programmes.
This case study and permission to share these client images was provided by Jenny Wright, Specialist Occupational Therapist. Find Jenny on the Restore Scar Therapy Directory at Rise Holistic Rehab in Stockton-on-Tees https://restorescartherapy.com/therapist/jenny-wright/
