22/09/2026
Radiation Fibrosis
Following radiation treatment, changes can occur within the tissues themselves. & it affects all underlying tissue that is radiated- muscle, ligaments, fascia, bone & skin. They can become thicker, stiffer and less flexible, which may leave you feeling tight, restricted or like there is a pulling sensation through your chest, armpit or shoulder (post breast cancer radiation)
One of the frustrating things we hear from patients is:
βI stretch all the time, but it still feels tight.β
Radiated tissues often respond better to gentle, sustained stretching rather than short, forceful stretches.
Try slowing things down and gradually working towards holding a comfortable stretch for 30β60 seconds.
A few things to keep in mind:
Explore different positions. There isnβt necessarily one βbestβ stretch. We often trial several positions with patients to find the movement that gives them the most useful stretch.
Have you tried some myofascial release/scar massage? It can make a world of difference if stretching alone is not being as effective
Think gentle, not forceful. Aim for a mild pulling or lengthening sensation, rather than pain or aggressive stretching.
Scar tissue changes over time. What once was quite mobile tissue can often mature into more dense/tight tissue. Often we donβt have patients reporting issue with tissue tightness until 6-12 months after treatment!
Be consistent. Small amounts of regular, comfortable stretching can be more useful than sporadic stretching πββοΈ
Our Cancer Rehab Physio can help assess where your movement is restricted and develop an individualised approach to mobility, strength, scar tissue mobilisation and massage following cancer treatment.
DM for how we can help you with this issueπ
