Breast Cancer Recovery in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia | Medical and health

Breast Cancer Recovery

Locality: Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

Phone: +61 416 123 810

Address: Alderley 4051 Brisbane, QLD, Australia

Website: www.breastcancer-rehabandwellness.com/summit-deeper-dive

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25.01.2022 Women are now more likely to be offered immediate breast reconstruction at breast cancer removal surgery. However, to make a decision to do this and then decide which kind of breast reconstruction method to go with is really complex! This research paper from 2017 found their study group with subpectoral implants had greater shoulder weakness ( adduction), and a difference in stiffness of the pectoral muscles, even at a resting position. The changes measured in pectoral muscl...e stiffness ( shear wave velocity) found that breast cancer survivors with increasing muscle stiffness were more likely to experience greater difficulty in managing day to day tasks using the shoulder. This is why more and more oncoplastic surgeons are moving towards under pec implant placement. Take your time and research. This research paper here: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/jor.24257 See more

25.01.2022 Trauma and poor mental health after breast cancer can result in Grade 2/3 adverse effects (CTCAE) which affect ADL: life engagement and satisfaction. In some cases, people have pre-existing experiences and conditions- then add the trauma of breast cancer! Wildfire magazine focused on "Body" this month; the editor collected an amazing group of young women breast cancer survivors who shared way more than what we have time to hear in our clinic appointments. This month's mag is ...now available along with the online sharing event (video) from the women featured. A must view low-cost resource for oncology HPs and women after breast cancer: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org//digital-download-body20

25.01.2022 Neck stretches can help relieve pain but they can be hard to get right. Marjorie Brook, a great practitioner and international trainer, has now made her practices available by video.

24.01.2022 These are some of my experiences I shared with therapists about breast cancer rehab for problematic scars and adhesions that cause pain and reduced arm movement. https://youtu.be/lJgcCRODriY

23.01.2022 The Breast Cancer Rehabilitation & Wellness Summit LAUNCH starts in 90 mins! Register to receive daily program reminders over Dec1-7. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/breast-cancer-rehabilitation-w This is my pet personal project to raise awareness of the importance of providing ( providers) and seeking (survivors) important rehab in a timely way.

22.01.2022 Free online Yoga class offered specifically for cancer survivors and thrives. USA DMT time 12.pm.( Australia 10pm). You can see the instructor is very well trained.

22.01.2022 12 hours left for viewing Day 1 and 2 of the online Breast Cancer rehabilitation & Wellness Summit. The program changes each day so come back to this page: https://www.breastcancer-rehabandwellness.com/summit-19-20 Also view the preview program: 25 /3 min snapshots from each presenter. This will remain open over the year and can be shared; help change lives. This "owner" speaks about her cording experience and makes recommendations so that we do not miss or dismiss cording. https://youtu.be/CiUMxp4uLTo

21.01.2022 I missed last week, but on track again for a 21 min session on measures and self-healing options for persistent shoulder pain. You will see that shoulder blade changes are not just limited to after breast cancer surgery and how changes can cause persistent stretch of the muscles at the back of the shoulder. I hope that you can find a buddy to participate in the challenge this week.... Click through to the full version at the link top right of the video. https://youtu.be/YunCFfBJ1KM See more

20.01.2022 My friend and colleague Susannah H is starting a new service for breast cancer survivors- supporting recovery. She needs your design help- vote or comment on her logos. Help her make a decision on this so she can roll forward.https://99designs.com/contests/poll/2d382d1e57

20.01.2022 Ways to deal with hands and feet nerve changes from anti-cancer drugs are discussed today at the 3rd day's program at the Breast Cancer Rehab & Wellness ONLINE Summit. Launch week is open for seven days and then will be available through sponsor websites over 2020. Great information to share with your patients and colleagues. https://www.breastcancer-rehabandwellness.com/summit-19-20 https://youtu.be/kqafFY0MWeM

20.01.2022 I am loving my latest work with long standing head, neck and throat movement restrictions, which weirdly can impact on the whole body via the dura surrounding the spinal cord. Yesterday, I worked on a womans throat which had been causing chocking episodes. Her specialists medical investigations had found no explaination for this scary and embarrassing problem. Changing the biomechanics at the throat and nose bones, in this case, resulted in easier swallowing and better sh...oulder movement (that must be from taking the stress off the dura at the spine nerves). You can best book in by connecting by email or sms [email protected] or 0416123810 UPDATE: I am no longer working at the Mater Private Beast Clinic Brisbane. Appointments are now 100% at my Alderley home office. Easy parking, gentle environ and maximum attention to the root cause of current annoying symptoms.

19.01.2022 Women, with arm movement problems and unexplained pain after breast cancer may benefit during c. virus containment: stay away from work and social isolation. HOW? The Australian govt is working to make it easier for people to access health professional services by video consult from their home. Hopefully the health insurance providers, via allied health rebates, come to the party as well. This is a great time to lobby your HF provider. Im excited about this because I know ...video appointments can really help breast cancer survivors. One simple example is when a woman fears or unknowingly neglects touching her breast, in the years after breast cancer surgery etc. By providing a good physical assessment and then special training to safely use their own touch, a woman can restore better arm movement and have less pressure pain. This is possible through online Telehealth/video appointments with a trained therapist. I teach women to use Lewiss Barrier Release, taping or adapted cupping and love seeing people show surprise that they can do it themselves, at home. No travel time and travel costs reduce overall costs to the breast cancer survivor. Read more about Telehealth or video appointments with Denise Stewart: https://www.breastandshoulder-rehab.com/online-video-appoin See more

19.01.2022 An interesting research paper on the benefits on dynamic taping 3 zones after mastectomy + lymphoedema. Taping was used at the chest, upper arm and lower arm. The results describe significant changes in SPADI measures which is a pain + function measures reported by the participant. Worth reading and sharing with your treating therapist if you have some shoulder difficulties and not necessarily lymphedema. https://journals.sagepub.com//full/10.1177/1534735419847276

18.01.2022 Vagus nerve stimulation has been investigated as an anti-ageing treatment modality for over 55's and authors are asking why not for cancer patients during their wellness stage. I am over 55 and I know my body likes to spend more time in calm and so will commence my own at home Vagus Nerve stimulation to the ear, which is by TNS for 15- 30 mins daily.... Read the research for wellness after cancer: http://www.clinicsinoncology.com/pdfs_fol/cio-v3-id1515.pdf Or for wellness for over 55's, where if the baseline measure showed a sympathetic nervous system elevation ( ready for flight/ fright) then mood, sleep and some aspects of QOL improved compared to the control (sham) group. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov//PMC6/pdf/aging-11-102074.pdf Connect to book in a TNS Vagus Nerve session to discover the parameters that better suit your body's needs.

18.01.2022 Day 6 of the online BCR&W Summit. Don't miss the cancer-related fatigue info and resource by Jo Muirhead. https://www.breastcancer-rehabandwellness.com/summit-19-20 24 hour access today and then go to the sponsors' page for 2020 for full program access https://youtu.be/x90nWXC8Vfo

16.01.2022 The Goddess Venus is in all of us (ladies): some live by her, some had her and lost her, some, like me, are continually seeking and finding the richness of love. I see much of my work with cancer survivors is helping women find the love of their body and soul, after surgery (+) removed or interfered with their breast/s. Hence my Venus has a uni mastectomy, who will sit proudly at my office entrance. Clay sculpture experience with Caroline Jones ( Fine artist) was made easy and CV safe. My last experience with clay was in Grade 7! so I really appreciated Caroline's expert guidance.

15.01.2022 What do you do when your Breast Surgeon is happy with the surgery to remove the cancer and is happy with the healing BUT you know that your arm movement is not the same as it used to be. You could consider being a volunteer at the next workshops Jan 31 - Feb 8th in Darwin. There will be eight treatment sessions where you can receive assessment and treatment by therapists upskilling in breast cancer rehab. Get to visit Darwin in the wet season and have intensive treatment fo...r arm / shoulder/ chest pain. The root cause for failing to achieve full arm movement after mastectomy or lumpectomy can be really hard to work out yourself. Receive an assessment and treatment at the workshop and you can fine tune your recovery. Connect to find out more.

14.01.2022 Who would have thought that no contact breast cancer rehab was a thing. No contact breast cancer rehab is certainly a thing! Interested? Connect to investigate your at-home rehab plan.... For example: Today my online patient (New Zealand) demonstrated the changes in skin movement to the side of the implants and her improved REACH out the BACK movement. What I loved was her confidence, as she had learned these in the first online 45 min session, only 2 weeks before. In our second no contact session today we focused on three things: A 2 step exercise to manage down the back of arm pain when working with the arm above shoulder height Finding balanced posture when the body wants to swing forwarder around. Use a kiss cupping method for persistent tightness in the pec muscle. CV 19 restrictions have changed how we do things: We can do video conferencing with people outside of our stay at home bubble I can see limitations in arm movement and skin movement from my screen. You can learn how to touch and manage changes from mastectomy and radiotherapy with the right instruction. I can post an easy to use cupping device to many places in the world. Its taking a while to get to New Zealand because of Level 3 CV 19 movement restrictions- but thats OK because that skill is for session 2/3. Emails with reminders of the training covered in the sessions can be posted. No contact breast cancer rehab is certainly a thing! Interested? Connect to investigate your at-home rehab plan.

13.01.2022 When you look at the beauty of this morning walk and add physical exercise- no wonder walking with poles is helpful to health and wellness. (Thanks to David Pratt for our photos) A 2020 small study of cancer survivors found they realized a nice improvement in the six-minute walk test and physical activity levels after an 8-week community walking program compared to usual physical activity. https://journals.lww.com//Nordic_Pole_Walking_for_Individu... What does it take to start? 1. Purchase a couple of training sessions on safety and technique, 2. Buy the poles that will best suit you, then 3. Plan your walking program- individual or group Book training sessions with Denise: Coolum or Brisbane northside https://www.breastandshoulder-rehab.com/nordic-walking

13.01.2022 Foot pain after breast cancer treatments is way too common, but the real cause might not be obvious. The lady I saw recently, is an example of this- she was told that her ever increasing foot pain was from her chemo drugs - so she would have to learn to live with it. But standing at work as a nurse was getting to be unbearable, wearing a closed shoe was unbearable. More importantly- she had fun and adventure planned- bush and coastline walking in Australia - was that ever g...oing to be possible? Repeated insole modifications made no difference. She mentioned this problem while we were in the final stage of managing an episode of arm lymphoedema, so I had a closer look and feel. Her left foot was far worse than the right, I barely touched the skin under her toes and she almost jumped off the massage table. We did a trial session of myofascial release and the pain reduced somewhat, and the skin became less taught. So she went home with a self treatment program: 5 mins /twice daily skin and superficial soft tissue massage to gently stretch the painful tissues. Two weeks latter: The pain was noticeably less, but now more specific at some locations of her foot. I wondered out loud, could this be from something else- not the chemo drugs? had there been an older injury to her foot? YES! I was run over by a scooter- my foot got jammed under the wheel. I haven’t been able to put weight through my mangled second toe since this accident. Now we have a new plan: let’s not live with it. Together we will work through a rehab approach to a traumatic injury: increase circulation daily by using a couple of different devices, skin taping, treat the tendinitis with hands on massage method and more if needed. I will keep you posted as to whether the planned Cape to Cape walk (Tasmania) will happen in 2021. Message to self: the cause might not be the chemo drugs- ask about old and traumatic injuries.

12.01.2022 You will know if your breast has too much deep scar tissue. You lose: the "jiggle", being able to reach that shelf above your head, celebrate with a HIGH 5, or just receive a cuddle from a loved one. Breast Surgeons rarely mention there is a therapy for scar or adhesion. Regaining some softness in breast tissue after surgery to remove cancer and radiotherapy is possible. Treatment can start during your first appointment, as well as learn how to use 1-3 specific massage tech...niques at home, to continue the positive changes. Connect to book in a complimentary online discovery session (15 mins), an initial consult in Brisbane or a video conference appointment (I will guide you or your partner to be my hands). Cuddle Photo by Irina Murza on Unsplash See more

12.01.2022 During Cancer Rehab Awareness Week, the first week in September, I am launching new online breast cancer rehab programs for allied health professionals: 1. Reach out the Back Test 2. Rehab needs after ALND I would love FIVE experienced cancer rehab therapists or BC related lymphedema therapists to review these and offer their professional advice/feedback and gain by benchmarking against my practices.... If you can volunteer 2 hours in July, connect now. See more

09.01.2022 Dealing or not dealing with strong emotions is high on the radar at the moment. Last year I did an online training course on the use of tuning fork energy for health and wellness with Eileen Mckusick and have been amazed at how I love the gentleness and ease of using this method for my own body. It is hard to believe that vibration and sound from a tuning fork can work online, but I was able to follow along and loved Eileens great insights into our biofield energy. No ...conflict of interest https://theshiftnetwork.com/pa/qa-eileen-mckusick-20200602

09.01.2022 This event is for breast cancer thrivers and is only days away and is an online program that matches to early morning in Australia. https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/workshops/bodyevent

09.01.2022 The women I treated today want to share their story so others get the help they need. Read about Brenda's experience with not getting the full story from her Breast Surgeon.

08.01.2022 Supporting Best Recovery after Breast Cancer Surgery: a 2-day workshop in Darwin Australia has just been completed. Lymphoedema trained therapists can up-skill and change breast cancer survivors lives. In two days the therapists learned new skills and were able to apply these and get this kind of feedback from a volunteer after 2/1hour prac sessions. We used physical measures where 2/3 volunteers achieved a 30+ degree arm movement improvement that had nothing to do with mu...scle relaxation or exercise :increased movement at the skin and superficial layers. I wonder whether if we used a hope scale, we could have nailed another aspect of the outcomes of oncology rehab. This feedback highlights the GAP in current care for (breast)cancer survivors in many areas across the world. Therapists up-skilling in oncology rehab is one gapsolution BUT the other is choosing to integrate a cancer rehab model within a community: involving public and private health. If you have some solutions for the GAP in post cancer treatment care, please add in.

08.01.2022 YES! the first-ever Cancer REHAB awareness week. Women and men are being left behind because they don't know anything about how these services can change their side-effect experience. The women I see with reduced arm movement ask " why was I not told about this" If you are a therapist working in this space, join in a week-long celebration. It is " us" at the grassroots (usually in private practice) who can lead the way. This is an initiative by Lou James, a proud and act...ive cancer rehab specialist in NZ. She has a logo that you can use to share with your community. https://www.pincandsteel.com/raise-awareness/ There can be a fundraising component to this for the Pinc& Steel Foundation which is now present in several countries. See more

08.01.2022 Melanie Weller is training a modified Vomer Technique, in her Biofield Flow certification course, as a way to improve movement and modulate Vagus tone. Sounds like it should be a great treatment for breast cancer survivors: this is a short insight into my appraisal method for innovations in breast cancer rehab. Why? Old head and neck injuries can increase strain on the vomer/upper palate, which in turn affects the neck, shoulder, hip and more. ... Week 2 of the online course and I am loving my learning! https://www.breastandshoulder-rehab.com//old-head-and-neck

06.01.2022 During Cancer Rehab Awareness Week (the first week of September, I am launching new online breast cancer rehab programs for allied health professionals: 1. Reach out the Back Test 2. Rehab needs after ALND I would love FIVE experienced cancer rehab therapists to review these and offer their professional advice/feedback.... You will get to see my new cancer rehab work first! And use this as a way to benchmark against my practices. If you can volunteer 2 hours in July, connect now.

06.01.2022 I am excited! In May I get to investigate whether my breast cancer rehab course translates to the USA. Rehab therapists from Chomp Community Hospital and local breast cancer survivors in Monterey CA will pilot my 2-day workshop on May 17/18. It will be interesting, as I anticipate many similarities and then many differences: Similarity All health professionals have access to the same online research Difference: Each country has its own terminology, pronunciations, and slang.... I say " untreated deep scar will feel mushy to touch" They say .....(I will let you know) Similarity: Therapists in Australia need to do 20 hours of continuing education and set documentation every year. Difference: Therapists in the USA mostly attend workshops that are accredited with their professional Association. This is approved state by state and adds extra expense to pass onto the end-user - yes the customer, who is most likely struggling financially because they can not return to usual work. I will know more - after the workshop. You may be asking where are the exciting bits? Every workshop is exciting as every therapist leaves with a new way of looking at the person's potential for better recovery. And I love seeing the look on the volunteer survivor's faces when they see improvements in their arm and shoulder after giving up hope of positive change ever occurring. https://goldprograms4health.com//level-1-usa-pilot-worksh/

05.01.2022 Finding your best creative self in times of stress is never easy. Melanie Weller is offering insights into her new approach to find focus and calm. Read more and register here: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_vq4L74voQGmhpgCb4ENtCA

03.01.2022 Start your daily home exercises to strengthen bones:chemo., radiotherapy and oestrogen changers have a long term impact. Carol Michaels has been a leader in designing programs to support survivors of cancer and she has just updated her YouTube collection. https://youtu.be/Y-RQQ4QcQ-E

03.01.2022 All too often breast cancer survivors are discharged after their medical treatment to wait out their recovery from a huge range of side effects related to surgery, chemo and radiotherapy. What happens when recovery does not happen? I didnt think I could improve: had occasional remedial massages which didnt help(volunteer)... In an outback Australian city, Darwin, therapists connected with the local breast cancer support group, NTBCVoice, to run a workshop for local therapists to up-skill; so they could better care for breast cancer survivors who live with chronic pain and movement restrictions. The local breast cancer support group sponsored the training workshop. I designed the training program and then travelled to the remote city; this reduces travel and accomodation expenses for the local therapists. Volunteers came to prac sessions, each with the intention of helping other survivors to get better care. They received new assessments to identify why arm movement has not fully recovered, and some possible locations for the source of their pain. Real life practice and supervision with volunteers allowed the therapists evaluate how effective a range of new treatment methods could be. Volunteers response :I didnt understand the scar tissue before, I am happy to think there is definitely room for improvement, my side felt a lot freer and less achy after the session Can we replicate this training model for breast cancer survivors in other communities? This all started because one therapist in a remote area felt she could do more to help her clients after breast cancer.

02.01.2022 This is not Australia, but should be.

02.01.2022 Changing directions in your life, or taking charge more in the things you're doing right now may take some extra energy and new decisions. Both will come when you have fewer things on your mind: having more headspace to renew energy and find new ideas. Register and join in Melanie Weller's Evidence-based Sharmanism video series ( free access to live or after the event recordings). Follow her fabulous short meditation sessions and enjoy her guidance to create your own inner... creative solutions. https://melanieweller.com/event/evidence-based-shamanism/ See more

01.01.2022 Feeling off-kilter, things are not going to plan? You can take a moment to investigate your own beliefs, thoughts, and reactions to life. If you are open to a richer contemplation, join in Melanie Weller's online Story Prescription(tm) circle; where Melanie offers new ways of "telling/playing the story" I am loving getting up at 4am Australian time to get a live meetup or register and access the thought-provoking sessions at an easier time. https://youtu.be/T6_CKsZ4Avo

01.01.2022 Coolum boardwalk today. Mum and I did a 90 min walk. Mum is confined to the house and garden for the rest of the day as per COVID instructions. This outing also gives her the opportunity to catch up with her other walking buddies. We stop and chat while staying 2 poles distance. Maybe we only walk for 60 mins