The Breast Cancer PT

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The Breast Cancer PT Amanda Grilli, PT, CLT. She truly believes that "Knowledge is Power".

Oncology Physical Therapist, Certified Lymphedema Therapist, and Breast Cancer Coach dedicated to helping survivors and previvors move with less pain, tightness, and mobility limitations so they can feel more like themselves. As a physical therapist and certified lymphedema therapist Amanda Grilli is devoted to helping breast cancer survivors live well beyond cancer. Using a holistic whole-body treatment approach, she helps her clients to overcome their cancer-related side effects, while also building a trusting partnership with their body and mind. Through education, support and care, she empowers her clients to take an active role in their recovery, during all stages of their cancer journey.

10/21/2026

While most people associate Axillary Web Syndrome (AWS) with the armpit or arm, these tight, rope-like bands can ALSO develop along your chest wall, rib cage, and trunk.

This is known as truncal cording, and it can make everyday movements like reaching overhead, twisting your body, or even taking a deep breath uncomfortable.

The problem?

Truncal cording is rarely talked about, which means it can go unrecognized, leaving people struggling with symptoms without knowing what’s causing them.

So, how can you recognize truncal cording?
✨ Visible cord-like bands along the chest wall or trunk
✨ A pulling sensation along the ribs or trunk
✨ Discomfort when reaching
✨ Tightness when rotating or bending your trunk
✨ Pulling or discomfort when taking a deep breath

But here’s what I REALLY want you to know…

Just because cording is common after breast cancer surgery DOES NOT mean you have to live with the discomfort!

With appropriate assessment and treatment from an Oncology Physical or Occupational Therapist, pain, tightness, and movement restrictions can be improved!

Here are 3 ways truncal cording is treated:

1️⃣ Targeted Exercises: Gentle stretches and nerve-gliding exercises targeting the shoulder, chest wall, and trunk can help reduce tension associated with cording and restore more comfortable movement.

2️⃣ Hands-On Therapy: A trained oncology therapist may use techniques like myofascial release and scar massage to address tissue restrictions and improve mobility.

3️⃣ Breathing Exercises: Diaphragmatic breathing and gentle rib cage expansion exercises can encourage chest wall movement and help reduce pulling sensations during deep breaths.

If this sounds like something you’re experiencing, please know that you’re not imagining it, and you don’t have to simply “push through” the discomfort.

There are many ways to improve how you feel and move.

Comment “YES” if you’d like me to film exercises for truncal cording.

🤍 Share this post to help educate other survivors and previvors about this often-overlooked side effect

🤍 Follow for more education and support for breast cancer recove

10/19/2026

Sometimes, the simplest movements can make a difference in how your shoulder feels.

Shoulder pain and stiffness are common concerns among breast cancer patients and survivors, and for some, these symptoms can continue for months or even years after treatment.

Whether it’s reaching overhead, getting dressed, or simply finding a comfortable sleeping position, shoulder discomfort can affect so many aspects of daily life.

But here’s something important to remember…

Just because shoulder pain is common doesn’t mean it’s something you have to live with!

One gentle exercise that may help improve shoulder comfort and mobility is the Shoulder Pendulum.

Unlike exercises that require you to actively lift your arm, shoulder pendulums use gravity and gentle body movements to encourage shoulder mobility while allowing the surrounding muscles to remain relatively relaxed.

Why can shoulder pendulums be helpful?
- Encourage gentle movement of the shoulder joint
- Help reduce feelings of stiffness and discomfort
- Promote relaxation of the shoulder muscles
- Reduce protective muscle guarding

Here’s how to perform Shoulder Pendulums:

Stand beside a sturdy table or chair and place one hand on it for support. Gently bend forward at your hips, allowing your affected arm to hang loosely toward the floor.

Keeping your shoulder and arm relaxed, gently shift your body weight to create small, controlled movements of your hanging arm.

Start by allowing your arm to swing forward and backward, side to side, or in small circles. Always keep the movement small and comfortable.

The key is to let your body create the movement rather than actively swinging your arm using your shoulder muscles.

Keep in mind that shoulder pain after breast cancer treatment can have many underlying causes, and shoulder pendulums are just one exercise that may help.

If you’re experiencing persistent pain, an oncology Physical or Occupational Therapist can help identify contributing factors and develop an individualized rehabilitation plan.

🤍 Save this exercise for your recovery.

🤍 Share to help others navigate shoulder pain.

10/12/2026

After breast cancer surgery or radiation, changes in posture, muscle tightness, scar tissue, swelling, and inflammation can all affect how your nerves move and function.

These changes can sometimes contribute to increased nerve sensitivity or irritation, leading to symptoms such as tingling, numbness, and discomfort.

If you experience tingling or numbness along the pinky side of your hand, particularly in your ring and pinky fingers, your ulnar nerve may be involved.

When this happens, a gentle ulnar nerve gliding exercise can help!

Ulnar nerve glides encourage the nerve to move more freely through the surrounding tissues, potentially reducing sensitivity and improving comfort with everyday movements.

Ulnar Nerve Glide:

Sit or stand tall with your arm extended out to the side at shoulder height, keeping your gaze straight ahead throughout the entire exercise.

Make an “OK” sign by bringing your thumb and index finger together.

Slowly bend your elbow and bring your hand toward the side of your face.

Then slowly return to the starting position.

Repeat 5–10x with slow, controlled movement. You may feel mild tension, pulling, or tingling, but it should be gentle and should ease right away. Do not push into pain.

Remember, nerves need movement too.

Consistent, gentle exercises like this can play an important role in restoring comfortable arm function after surgery and radiation.

🤍 Save this exercise.

🤍 Follow for more exercises to support breast cancer recovery.

   

Introducing the Breast Cancer Recovery Summit, a special half-day educational event dedicated to helping you better unde...
10/12/2026

Introducing the Breast Cancer Recovery Summit, a special half-day educational event dedicated to helping you better understand and manage the side effects of breast cancer treatment, improve your quality of life, and feel supported from diagnosis through survivorship.

📅 Sunday, November 15, 2026
📍 New York City

Breast cancer treatment can affect how you feel, how you move, and how you live your life. Pain, fatigue, tightness, neuropathy, lymphedema, and changes in mobility are just some of the challenges that can affect everyday life, sometimes persisting for months or even years after treatment ends.

Yet too many people are left navigating these side effects with little guidance on how to manage them or where to turn for support.

The Breast Cancer Recovery Summit was created to help change that.

Join us for a half-day educational event where you can get answers to your questions, learn practical ways to manage treatment-related side effects, and connect others who understand.

From expert-led educational panels and therapeutic movement to meaningful connections and community resources, we've created an afternoon dedicated to supporting your recovery, well-being, and quality of life.

Whether you're currently undergoing treatment, navigating recovery or survivorship, living with metastatic breast cancer, facing hereditary risk, or supporting someone affected by breast cancer, we cannot wait to welcome you.

Registration is now open.

Reserve your spot and learn more here: https://www.wellbeyondbreastcancer.org/breast-cancer-recovery-summit

One of the most meaningful parts of my work is sitting beside someone, listening to their story, and helping them feel l...
10/08/2026

One of the most meaningful parts of my work is sitting beside someone, listening to their story, and helping them feel less alone in navigating the side effects of breast cancer.

This past weekend, I was honoured to be invited to speak at the Sisters Network Inc. Black Breast Cancer Summit in Houston about breast cancer rehabilitation and how it can support quality of life during treatment and into survivorship.

Through my nonprofit Well Beyond Breast Cancer we also offered free one-on-one consultations, creating space for attendees to share their concerns, ask questions, and receive guidance for their recovery.

Every conversation was a powerful reminder of why I started Well Beyond Breast Cancer: to help ensure that no one is left struggling with the side effects of treatment without the care and support they deserve.

I was so grateful to share this experience with Patrice, one of our partnering therapists at Well Beyond Breast Cancer.

Thank you to everyone who trusted us with their stories, and to Sisters Network for welcoming us and creating space for these important conversations.

It was such a privilege to be part of this weekend 🤍

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