Hi Reader,
Axillary cording (also called cording after breast cancer surgery or axillary web syndrome) can cause tightness, pain, and limited arm movement after lymph node surgery or radiation.
Up to 86% of women experience it after breast surgery, often noticing it when reaching overhead, like a guitar string pulling from the armpit down the arm.
Cording involves inflamed or clotted lymphatic vessels and scar tissue, and in some cases may even appear before surgery.
Most cases resolve within a few months, but gentle exercises can help it improve faster and with less discomfort. It's important to note that aggressive stretching often makes it worse.
Click "play" on the video below to learn techniques to release cording, restore shoulder range of motion, and reduce discomfort.
These beginner-friendly exercises are safe to try early on and can support long-term recovery.
In this blog post, you'll learn:
- What cording is
- Why it happens
- Gentle ways to improve it
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Kelly Sturm
Doctor of Physical Therapy
Certified Lymphedema Therapist (CLT-LANA)
Board-Certified Oncology Clinical Specialist
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