Abstract

The treatment of breast cancer can trigger several functional limitations and postural changes. The asymmetry of the shoulder girdle and trunk and greater forward leaning of the trunk are the major expected changes in posture. Stress and mechanical asymmetries caused by these postural changes may have clinical and functional repercussions, generating joint problems and inadequate muscular tension. Physical therapy is considered an effective intervention for pain control, postural realignment and recovery of functional autonomy. The aim of this review is to characterise the main postural dysfunctions observed after the treatment of breast cancer and to succinctly identify the main strategies of physiotherapeutic intervention to prevent and/or treat these alterations.