The Pink Pros

As a physical therapist and certified lymphedema therapist Amanda Grilli is devoted to helping breast cancer survivors live well beyond cancer.

The Pink Pros was founded with the goal of helping breast cancer thrivers to feel their very best physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually, during each stage of their cancer recovery. 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. She truly believes that "Knowledge is Power".

04/06/2022

Radiation therapy side effects may continue to worsen after the completion of your treatments … TRUE!

Many people are relieved once they reach the end of their radiation treatments, under the impression that their side effects have peaked and that they are completely in the clear for developing other radiation-related side effects.

However, this isn’t necessarily true.

Unfortunately, radiation continues to have an effect on the body AFTER the completion of your treatment. Thus, certain side effects may peak up to 2-3 weeks after your treatment is finished.

Meaning -> any skin changes usually continue to worsen in the 2-3 weeks following treatment. Thereafter, the skin typically begins to heal.

So, after the completion of your radiation:
✨ Continue with your radiation skin care routine for a minimum of 2-3 weeks or until your skin has healed. When your skin is no longer red or sore, you can then return to your usual skin care products.

✨ Continue to protect your radiated skin from irritants such as tight clothing, extremes of temperature, harsh skin care products, etc.

✨ Continue to allow yourself extra time to rest, as fatigue also tends to worsen, lasting weeks to months after radiation.

If you are experiencing any side effects, whether early or late, from your radiation treatments, breast cancer rehabilitation CAN help you to feel and move better.

💌 Share to educate & empower others.

Disclaimer: This page provides general education only and is not intended to diagnose or treat any medical conditions. Always consult with your healthcare team for an individualized treatment plan.

💌 Share to educate & empower others.

ℹ️ Disclaimer: This page provides general education and not personalized interventions. Always consult with your healthcare team for an individualized treatment plan.

03/31/2022

Although radiation therapy is an effective treatment for cancer, it does come with some side effects - one notable one being Radiation Fibrosis Syndrome.

In addition to damaging cancer cells, radiation also unfortunately damages all of the normal tissues within the radiated field. Due to this damage, the radiated skin and underlying soft tissues can progressively become stiff and hard, resulting in a variety of symptoms, including:

〰 pain
〰 muscles cramps, weakness or atrophy
〰 Tightness in your chest and shoulder
〰 a change in your posture
〰 decreased shoulder mobility
〰 decreased chest flexibility
〰 a change in your skin's appearance
〰 a change in your skin's texture

The signs and symptoms of radiation fibrosis are known as Radiation Fibrosis Syndrome.

It’s important to note that NOT everyone will develop radiation fibrosis. There are numerous factors that play a role in the development and severity of radiation fibrosis, including:

〰 the total dose and dose per fraction
〰 the area of tissue being treated
〰 the time of treatment
〰 history of certain health conditions
〰 genetic predisposition to skin issues

⭐️ If you are experiencing any signs and symptoms of Radiation Fibrosis, breast cancer rehabilitation CAN help! A physical therapist trained in breast cancer rehabilitation can help you feel and move better after radiation.

💌 Share to educate & empower others.

ℹ️ Disclaimer: This page provides general education and not personalized interventions. Always consult with your healthcare team for an individualized treatment plan.

03/10/2022

NO!

You can definitely go back to doing the activities that you used to do before your breast surgery. Being at risk for lymphedema, shouldn’t prevent you from participating in the activities that you enjoy most.

✨ The key is to just get your body ready to perform the exercise that you want to get back to doing - and this is done by slowly re-introducing the activity.

With a slow and incremental increase in exercise, whether aerobic or resistance in nature, your lymphatic system has time to readjust to the new levels of activity. Not only is exercising safe, but studies have also shown that exercising after breast cancer surgery can reduce your risk of developing lymphedema.

How to Re-Introduce Exercise:
⭐️ Before getting back to strengthening and high intensity exercises, restoring your shoulder range of motion should be priority. Having full shoulder mobility will help in ensuring that you have proper joint alignment and form while exercising. Proper form and alignment are key to injury prevention.

⭐️ Once your range of motion has improved, you can then start to incorporate strengthening exercises. The key is to start with VERY light weight (1-2 lbs.) and then VERY gradually increase the weight, working towards your goal. Generally, I recommend using a specific weight for at least 2 weeks before increasing to a heavier weight.

⭐️ As you exercise, listen to your body, and monitor how your arm feels. If you feel any heaviness or pain during and after exercise, then modifications need to be made to your exercise as it may have been too much, too soon.

💛 If you are nervous about getting back to exercise or are unsure about progressing your activity levels, please don’t hesitate to reach out to a Certified Lymphedema Therapist. The therapist will be able to safely guide you in your journey back to exercise after breast surgery.

💌 Share to educate & empower others.

03/08/2022

Happy International Women’s Day!

Let’s celebrate how far we’ve come and continue to lift each other up.

Together we can, together we rise.

🧡

03/06/2022

Happy World Lymphedema Day 🦋

Raising awareness about lymphedema today, and every day, is crucial!

Despite lymphedema affecting millions of people worldwide, many are still unfamiliar with the condition and the treatment options available. Due to this lack of awareness amongst BOTH the general public and healthcare providers, many people affected by lymphedema never receive the timely care and education needed to manage their life-long condition.

In clinic, I unfortunately meet so many patients who have been living with UNMANAGED lymphedema for YEARS.

As I then begin to explain that together we CAN improve their lymphedema, time and time again I hear the same comments …

“Why didn’t anyone tell me that there was a way to manage my swelling”

“I was told I couldn’t do anything about my lymphedema”

“I wish I would have known about you sooner”

Often, these comments are followed by tears …

Tears of frustration that they never received any guidance or education about their condition.

Tears of hope that they finally found someone who can help them manage their lymphedema and improve their quality of life.

Together, we need to …
🦋 Educate for improved lymphedema awareness
🦋 Advocate for improved services for all affected by lymphedema

Together we can make a difference!

💌 Share to educate & empower others.

02/20/2022

Have you ever noticed that your breathing becomes irregular and shallow when you’re feeling stressed?

Well, that’s because your sympathetic nervous system gets kicked into high alert as your body goes into “fight-or-flight” mode. While this response to stress is useful in the short-term, it becomes problematic in the long-term. Over time, repeated activation of the sympathetic nervous system takes a toll on the body, as it suppresses immune function and can lead to the development of numerous health problems.

But here’s some good news …

You can dampen the activity of your sympathetic nervous system by BOX BREATHING!

⭐️ Box Breathing
Box breathing is a simple but powerful technique used to calm the nervous system and restore wellbeing to the body and mind when under stress. Box breathing does so, by activating your bodily system responsible for “rest-and-digest” - your parasympathetic nervous system.

When activated your parasympathetic nervous system slows down your breathing, lowers your heart rate, decreases your blood pressure, and guides your body and mind back into a state of relaxation and well-being.

So, whenever you’re feeling stressed, practice some box breathing to activate your parasympathetic nervous system and immediately reduce your stress and anxiety.

⭐️ How to Box Breathe:
Find a quiet, calm environment, where you can focus on yourself and your breath. Get into a comfortable seated position, close your eyes, and try to let go of any tension that you may be holding throughout your body.

✨Inhale slowly through your nose for 4 seconds⁠.
✨Then, hold your breath for 4 seconds.
✨Then, slowly exhale through your nose for 4 seconds.
✨Finally, hold your exhale for 4 seconds.

This breathing technique is just another great tool to have in your self-care toolbox.

On this , take a moment to focus on you and your breathe ❤️

💌 Share to educate & empower others.

02/16/2022

Do you know how lymphedema compression therapy works?

Or what the difference between a compression bandage and garment is?

Don’t worry if you don’t … you aren’t alone.

Unfortunately, most people don’t receive any education on such lymphedema topics 😔

So, today I am breaking it down for you and talking all about compression therapy …
✨What it is?
✨How does it work?
✨What does a compression bandage do?
✨What does a compression garment do?
✨What is the difference between a bandage and garment?

Having a good understanding of compression therapy, can help you to better manage your lymphedema in the long-term.

Knowledge truly is power.

💌 Share to educate & empower others.

ℹ️ Disclaimer: This page provides general education and not personalized interventions. Always consult with your healthcare team for an individualized treatment plan.

02/09/2022

When it comes to managing lymphedema, wearing a compression garment is key.

But in order to effectively and safely maintain your swelling, your garment must be the right size, type and fit!

Having the right fit is one of the most important aspects of compression therapy, as an ill-fitting compression sleeve can actually worsen your lymphedema by placing too much or too little pressure on certain areas of your limb.

So, an ill-fitting garment can be worse than wearing no garment at all!

Here are a few tips to ensuring that your garment is the proper fit:

✨ A well-fitting garment should be comfortable and not cause any pain or any tingling or numbness.

✨ Your sleeve should extend from your wrist to your axilla and your glove should overlap onto your sleeve by at least an inch, so that there is no gapping as you move.

✨ Your garment shouldn’t have any binds, creases, or wrinkles, as these may cause a buildup of fluid.

✨ Your garment should be snug - it shouldn’t be loose and slip down your arm as you move. You shouldn’t need to constantly readjust your sleeve.

✨ Your garment shouldn’t be too tight that it causes bulging at your wrist or at the top of your arm.

✨ Your garment shouldn’t cause any skin irritation or breakdown. Pay attention to your elbow, wrist, and knuckles.

✨ You should never experience increased swelling in your fingers, nor should your fingers change color or become unusually cold.

✨ Your garment shouldn’t limit your ability to move your arm, nor should it interfere with your daily self-care and activities.

Should you have any concerns about your compression garment, please do not hesitate to speak with your lymphedema therapist or send me a DM.

💌 Share to educate & empower others.

Address

286 Madison Avenue
New City, NY
10017

Website

http://www.thepinkpros.com/

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