Mastectomy Pain -

What mastectomy pain?

Mastectomy pain refers to discomfort, soreness, or chronic pain experienced in the upper body after the surgical removal of one or both breasts, typically due to breast cancer treatment.

Common Related Conditions

Adhesions

Shoulder or Neck Pain

Back or Hip Pain

Chronic Post-Surgical Pain Syndrome

Painful Scar Tissue or Hypersensitivity

Myofascial Pain

Causes of mastectomy pain

Mastectomy pain can result from several factors related to the surgical removal of one or both breasts. Pain may arise from the incision and tissue trauma itself, as well as from nerve injury or entrapment during surgery, which can lead to sharp, burning, or shooting sensations. The formation of post-surgical scar tissue and internal adhesions can restrict movement of the chest, shoulder, and surrounding tissues, contributing to ongoing discomfort. Removal of lymph nodes may cause lymphedema, placing tension on tissues and worsening pain. Altered posture or shoulder mechanics after surgery can create secondary pain in the back, neck, or arm, and radiation therapy, if part of the treatment plan, can cause tissue stiffness and fibrosis. Pre-existing conditions or prior surgeries may further amplify post-mastectomy pain, making it a multifactorial challenge that can affect mobility, daily activities, and overall quality of life.

Symptoms of adhesions and scar tissue

Persistent pain or tenderness at the surgical site
Sharp, burning, or shooting nerve pain in the chest, underarm, or shoulder
Aching or pulling sensations in the chest, shoulder, or back
Restricted range of motion in the shoulder or arm
Numbness or tingling around the incision or underarm
Swelling or tightness from lymphedema
Pain during daily activities such as lifting, reaching, or exercising
Postural discomfort due to compensatory movements
Pain during touch or pressure on the chest area

Treatment for mastectomy pain

The Clear Passage® Approach is a manual, hands-on therapy designed to slowly and methodically reduce or eliminate external and internal scars called adhesions by dissipating the glue-like bonds called cross-links that bind collagen fibers together. As we treat, our therapists tell us it feels like we are pulling out the run in a powerful three-dimensional sweater, strand by strand. Numerous peer-reviewed medical journals indicate that as this unique therapy dissipates adhesions, pain often decreases significantly and function improves, without surgery or drugs.

Clear Passage® Therapy utilizes a non-surgical, hands-on physical therapy approach designed to reduce adhesions—internal scar tissue—that can form after surgery. Using specialized manual techniques developed and refined over more than 30 years, our trained therapists gently manipulate and stretch the affected tissues to dissolve, distort, and detach restrictive adhesions. Numerous peer-reviewed studies show we have restored normal mobility and greatly improved the function of organs and muscles in the abdomen and pelvis.

The therapy typically involves a 5-day course of treatment, broken into two-hour sessions. During treatment, therapists focus on the areas where your adhesions are interfering with organ movement, blood flow, and nerve function. The goal is to reduce pain, improve range of motion, and enhance function.

Other Treatments for Mastectomy Pain (Surgery, Drugs)

Some patients are offered pain-relieving medications. Physicians may suggest more invasive procedures like nerve blocks or surgery to lyse (destroy) the adhesions. While lysis of adhesions can be effective in some cases, the surgery has major drawbacks:

It carries risks associated with anesthesia or infection.
Surgeons can mistakenly cut of burn nearby or underlying structures.
Despite the best skills of the finest surgeon, the body tends to create more adhesions as it heals from the very surgery designed to remove them.

The Journal of Laparoscopic Surgery (2020) notes that laparoscopy, the least invasive of major surgeries, caused new adhesions to form in 97% of cases, at the exact sites where the surgery was performed.

Condition Specific Disclaimer:

Clear Passage®Therapy provides specialized manual physical therapy focused on decreasing adhesions and improving tissue mobility without surgery. Individual results vary; no medical or therapeutic technique can guarantee pain relief or specific medical outcomes. We always encourage each applicant to our program to consult their physician to rule out underlying conditions and determine the most appropriate course of care.

Testimonials:

To read Clear Passage® Therapy patient success stories, please visit our Testimonials page.

Mastectomy Pain