Cancer Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation in Melbourne

At Laneways, we provide compassionate, non-judgemental care for every body. If you’re preparing for, undergoing, recovering from, or living with cancer, we’re here to support you through every stage of treatment and recovery.

Many people experience swelling, lymphoedema, scar tightness, pain, fatigue, reduced exercise tolerance, or loss of function during or after cancer treatment — physiotherapy can play an important role in managing these symptoms and supporting your recovery.

Advanced Training in Oncology and Lymphoedema Care

We provide comprehensive, evidence-based physiotherapy care tailored to cancer recovery and survivorship — individualised to improve movement, reduce discomfort, manage swelling, and help you rebuild strength, function and confidence in your body.

Nadia is an accredited lymphoedema physiotherapist and a member of the Australasian Lymphology Association, with additional training in cancer rehabilitation and oncology care.
She works across Laneways and a large public health lymphoedema service in Melbourne, supporting people with a wide range of complexity — from early-stage post-treatment changes through to more complex lymphoedema and chronic swelling presentations.

This dual clinical experience means your care is informed by both specialist outpatient management and higher-level public health lymphoedema services, ensuring evidence-based, up-to-date, and practical treatment tailored to your needs.

What We Treat

Our focus is on supporting cancer recovery, improving function, reducing discomfort, and helping you move with greater confidence throughout and after treatment.

We also recognise the emotional and physical impact this stage of life can have, including fatigue, grief, and changes in identity and wellbeing.

Lymphoedema & swelling management

Breast, trunk, and upper limb lymphoedema
Post-cancer treatment swelling and fluid changes
Ongoing lymphatic monitoring and management

Post-surgical recovery & scar care

Scar tissue management following cancer or breast surgery
Abdominal and caesarean section scars
Soft tissue tightness and restricted movement
Axillary web syndrome (cording)

Breast cancer treatment-related conditions

Cording (axillary web syndrome)
Breast and chest wall pain or sensitivity
Post-operative pain and reduced shoulder mobility

Pain & musculoskeletal rehabilitation

Neck, shoulder, back, and hip pain
Postural and movement-related pain during or after treatment
Reduced strength, mobility, and functional capacity

Support and Treatment

Cancer Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation

Your care is individualised and may include a combination of:

Comprehensive assessment and ongoing monitoring
Education and self-management support, including risk reduction strategies
Limb measurements and tracking of swelling changes
Lymphoedema assessment, monitoring, and management
Prescription and fitting of compression garments (standard and custom-made)
Manual lymphatic drainage (MLD)
Sequential intermittent pneumatic compression (SIPC) systems
Photobiomodulation (low level laser therapy)
Scar management and post-surgical tissue care
Soft tissue and myofascial release
Individualised exercise prescription and rehabilitation programmes

We offer consultations in clinic, via telehealth, and in-home where appropriate. Care may be accessed through Medicare Chronic Disease Management plans, Aged Care funding, and NDIS supports (where eligible). We can also assist with access to the SWEP government-funded garment scheme.

Manual Lymphatic Drainage Massage

Manual Lymphatic Drainage is a clinical lymphatic massage technique designed to physically facilitate the movement of fluid within the body. Rather than a standard remedial massage, MLD is a targeted manual therapy used to move lymphatic fluid away from overloaded or congested areas, assisting in the reduction of swelling and the improvement of patient comfort.

As part of your cancer recovery care, MLD may be used for:

Cancer-Related Lymphoedema: Targeted massage to clear congested tissues and redirect fluid to healthy nodes, for swelling that develops following lymph node removal or damage during cancer treatment.
Post-Surgical Recovery: Assisting the body in processing post-operative fluid and inflammatory by-products following cancer-related surgery, to support recovery.
Scar and Tissue Comfort: Improving tissue mobility and comfort around areas affected by surgery or radiation therapy.
Volume Reduction: Actively moving fluid toward functioning lymphatic pathways to reduce swelling and heaviness.

MLD is integrated into your broader oncology rehabilitation plan, supported by evidence-based scar management, exercise, and — where appropriate — compression therapy.

Judgment-free, size-inclusive care

Evidence-based treatments that consider your whole story

Practical solutions that work for your life

We make it easy to get started

Book an initial consultation online or simply pick up the phone. We’re here and ready to support you.

We listen & support

Share with us your experiences and the areas you’re looking for help and guidance.

Individualised solutions

We’ll tailor a plan to help you manage pain, experience greater mobility and develop consistent habits that work for you.

FAQ

What types of cancer-related side effects can physiotherapy help with?

Physiotherapy supports recovery across all stages of treatment and survivorship by addressing:

Swelling & Fluid Management: Lymphoedema and post-surgical or post-radiation swelling.
Mobility & Tissue Tightness: Scar tissue stiffness, radiation fibrosis, restricted range of motion, and axillary web syndrome (cording).
Bone Health & Muscle Strength: Guarding against muscle loss (sarcopenia) and preserving bone density through tailored, safe resistance training.
Fatigue Management & Pacing: Individualised strategies and graded exercise to build stamina and manage cancer-related fatigue without over-exertion.
Returning to Exercise & Daily Life: Safe, structured guidance to rebuild confidence, restore functional strength, and return to work, sport, and daily activities.
Nerve & Joint Symptoms: Managing chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (tingling or numbness in hands and feet), joint pain, and balance or fall-prevention concerns

When should I start physiotherapy during cancer treatment?

You can start at any stage. Pre-treatment (“prehab”) helps establish baseline measurements and movement strength. During treatment, gentle physio can ease side effects and keep you moving comfortably. Post-treatment rehabilitation focuses on rebuilding function, managing scars or swelling, and restoring confidence in your body.

What is axillary web syndrome (cording), and can it be treated?

Axillary web syndrome presents as tight, cord-like structures under the skin—often in the armpit, inner arm, or chest—that typically develop after lymph node surgery. It can cause a pulling sensation or pain and significantly restrict how far you can stretch or lift your arm.

Yes, cording responds well to targeted physiotherapy. Treatment involves manual therapy, scar release, and progressive stretching modalities by skilled healthcare professionals to relieve tension and restore full mobility. At Laneways, our physiotherapists are highly experienced in these specialised techniques to help you move freely and feel comfortable in your body again.

Will I need lymphoedema treatment after cancer treatment or surgery?

Not everyone develops lymphoedema after cancer treatment, but anyone who has had lymph nodes removed or radiation therapy is at higher risk. Early monitoring allows us to pick up subtle swelling changes before they progress, providing early intervention or reassurance.

Does Medicare or private health cover cancer physiotherapy?

Yes. Consultations can be claimed on-the-spot using Private Health Insurance extras. If your GP provides a Chronic Disease Management Plan (CDMP), you can access Medicare rebates for up to 5 allied health consultations per calendar year.