Ebbing axillary web syndrome the physical therapy way: A narrative review

Abstract

Axillary web syndrome (AWS) or cording is a clinical entity characterized by a palpable cord tissue or band generally extending from axilla to antecubital fossa with restricted shoulder mobility commonly occurring in both axillary surgical cases and nonaxillary surgeries. Exercises in the form of active and passive exercises, joint mobilizations, manual therapies in the form of massage therapy, myofascial release, manual lymphatic drainage, thermal therapy, and low level LASER therapy are found to be effective in patients with AWS. There is dearth in literature for manual therapy techniques used for AWS in breast cancer patients. Future research is recommended to conduct clinical trials using advanced manual therapy techniques like cupping, jade stone mobilization and matrix in addition to the exercise protocols in larger population for breast cancer survivors with axillary web syndrome.