cording problems

I've had three bouts of cording and have had none of them snapped. I've always done gentle massage and gentle stretching and each time it has gone away and I have regained full range of motion. There is not strong research on cording, though it is my contention that it is way more common than the breast surgeons think it is.

I heard nothing about lymphedema or cording during my visits with oncologist/surgeon or radiation oncologist.  When I first went to physical therapy for my lymphedema, I commented the therapist about the "void" left in my armpit where I assumed surgeon had removed lymph nodes.  She gently corrected me: it wasn't a "void"  in the armpit, those were two cords that had developed in the armpit, raising the skin and leaving a hollow between them.  She was able to show me that they continued down into my upper arm.  She did a lot of manual stretching in the area, saying that sometimes one could even hear them pop when they break.  Mine would not break - and let me tell you she tried!!!! Ouch!  She did get eventually get them stretched.

It was a surprise to me to realize the range of motion that I had lost in that arm.  With her stretching manipulation and having me do arm exercises, I got my range of motion back. That was three years ago.  Now, when I feel my arm tightening up and that pulling feeling in my armpit, I start back with the snow-angel stretches that she started me on:  Lay on your back on the floor, arms at your side, palms up.  Keeping arms in contact with the floor, raise them as high as you can overhead - like you are a child making a snow angel.  Works for me!