Denise Stewart is an Australian Occupational Therapist who developed her own test for shoulder dysfunction in breast cancer patients called the Reach Out the Back Test. Shoulder dysfunction can occur in this population due to pectoral tightness, skin fibrosis, scar adhesions and cording. This test goes beyond straight plane movement in flexion and abduction to multi-planar movement which is how we live functionally. True functional movement can be harder to provide a quantitative measure for, but this test provides good qualitative findings on evaluation, and after treatment, to determine effectiveness of rehab interventions and help determine tissue restrictions.

If you would like to learn how to apply this test in your own rehab practice with breast cancer patients check out Denise's online Reach Out the Back course.

Also, register for the annual online Breast Cancer Rehabilitation Summit running February 15-21 2021. Don't miss this FREE summit!