Breast cancer treatment saves lives—but for many survivors, the journey doesn’t end when treatment does. Long after surgery, radiation, or reconstruction, persistent pain in the chest wall, breast, or surrounding areas can interfere with everyday life. At Salt + Light Wellness, we see this often, and we’re here to say: you’re not alone—and there are tools that can help.
One of the most effective tools we use in our clinic? Dry needling with electrical stimulation (e-stim).
What the Research Says
A 2019 clinical perspective published in Rehabilitation Oncology by Bell, Stout, and Geiser highlighted the growing role of dry needling in treating chronic breast and chest wall pain after breast cancer treatment. The authors reviewed cases where patients with long-standing pain experienced significant relief through targeted dry needling of myofascial trigger points—especially when other therapies had fallen short.
Their findings support what we see every day in our practice: when soft tissues become restricted or sensitized from surgery, radiation, or scar tissue, they often need more than stretching and exercise to heal.
How Dry Needling Works
Dry needling involves inserting very thin, sterile needles into tight or painful muscles, trigger points, or restricted fascia. This causes a localized twitch response and prompts the muscle to relax, improving blood flow and reducing pain.
When paired with gentle electrical stimulation, the benefits increase. E-stim sends a mild pulsing current through the needles, creating a deep tissue effect that helps:
- Release stubborn tightness and radiation-induced fibrosis
- Increase local circulation and oxygen delivery
- Decrease hypersensitivity and nerve irritation
- Promote lymphatic flow in adjacent tissues
- Calm the nervous system and reduce pain
Why It Matters for Breast Cancer Survivors
After breast cancer surgery, reconstruction, or radiation, the body can hold tension and pain in the chest wall, underarm, shoulder, and rib cage. Scar tissue may bind layers of tissue together. Nerves may become hypersensitive. Muscles may remain guarded long after healing.
Dry needling with e-stim can address these changes at a deeper level, helping to:
- Improve range of motion in the chest, neck, and shoulder
- Reduce pain and pulling sensations
- Improve posture and breathing
- Support emotional healing by reducing daily physical discomfort
What to Expect in Our Office
At Salt + Light Wellness, we offer individualized dry needling sessions for breast cancer survivors as part of a full-body, compassionate approach to healing. We’ll always start with a full evaluation and discuss whether this technique is appropriate for your specific history and goals.
Treatment is gentle, targeted, and always customized. Most patients feel a gentle pulsing sensation during e-stim and experience improved mobility, less tightness, and a feeling of relief after just a few sessions.
Your Healing Matters
If you’re dealing with chronic chest wall discomfort after breast cancer treatment—even months or years later—know that you’re not alone, and there are ways to feel better. Dry needling with e-stim is just one of the tools we use to support your healing from the inside out.
We’re here to help you move, breathe, and live more freely again.
Interested in learning more?
Reach out or schedule now and see if this approach could be part of your recovery journey.
Dr. Nina Routon
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