[vlcarr]

Thanks everyone. So far I'm feeling much better today!

Pam, my surgeon sent me to PT and I didn't really know why either. I have the standard exercises I do at home, but what they do at my sessions is called Myofascial Release therapy. It's a hands on type of therapy where they touch and put pressure on the area including the incision sites on the breast and the side where the drainage tubes were.

It's kind of hard to explain but the handout explains that fascia is a tough connective tissue that spreads throughout the body in a three dimensional web from your head to your feet without interruption. Trauma or inflammation can create a binding down of fascia resulting in excessive pressure on nerves, muscles, blood vessels and/or organs.

It goes on to say that since standard tests such as x-rays, CAT scans, etc do not show the restriction, it is thought that an extremely high percentage of people suffering with pain, headaches and/or lack of motion may be having fascial problems, but most go undiagnosed.

The therapist told me yesterday they are starting this on women who had mastectomies earlier than in the past to avoid problems down the road.

It doesn't hurt at all, and I can tell a difference when I do my exercises. Things don't feel as tight.

I highly recommend it.

Thanks again for sharing your experiences with me. I feel better about the rib pain after reading your posts!