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Leave uncomfortable symptoms in the past and start feeling strong again with…

Physical therapy for shoulder pain to build up muscles, minimize pain, and find hope with and after cancer

Created by Kelly Sturm, Doctor of Physical Therapy, Certified Lymphedema Therapist, Board-Certified Oncology Clinical Specialist

woman with light, short hair sitting on a blue yoga mat, sipping a glass of water
physical therapist standing at white wall, wearing light blue shirt and jeans with left hand on hip

Does this sound familiar?

You are cancer-free, but shoulder pain and discomfort are constant reminders of the possibility of recurrence — not to mention the impact they have on your quality of life

Shoulder issues are a common symptom of cancer and cancer treatment. Yet, they are rarely addressed — or even acknowledged — by doctors and medical teams.

If you often feel…

  • Physically uncomfortable because of limited shoulder mobility, pain, muscle weakness, and stiffness
  • Hopeless after your medical provider told you that pain and discomfort are going to be chronic
  • Lost on where to start to get back into shape and start feeling strong and confident again
  • Overwhelmed after researching resources and shoulder exercises because you don’t know if you can trust the information you found
  • Confused about making sense of life with or after cancer and figuring out how to fit exercise and self-care into your schedule

…you are not alone.

Shoulder discomfort is common among people living with and after cancer and many people continue to deal with painful shoulder symptoms for 3, 5, 10, or even more years after their treatment is over.

A close-up of a persons upper back and shoulder wearing a beige sleeveless top, with one arm slightly raised, showing smooth skin and defined shoulder blade

But the fact that shoulder pain and discomfort are common does not make them normal.

What if I told you that it’s possible to:

  • Understand your shoulder issues and learn how to properly manage them to minimize pain and discomfort
  • Start exercising and moving your body in a way that feels great and helps prevent lymphedema and other long-term issues 
  • Take your power back, improve your quality of life, and find peace and hope with and after cancer

You might be thinking…

My life will never be the same after cancer. What’s the point?

The truth is, life after cancer can be as challenging as life with cancer. 

Maybe you’re exhausted because recurrence is never far away from your brain and you take every uncomfortable sensation as a sign that your cancer is coming back. 

It’s hard to find time to fit physical therapy exercises for shoulder pain and healthy habits into your schedule because you’re back to working and taking on the full load of your pre-cancer responsibilities. 

Your medical provider may have told you that chronic shoulder pain is just something you’ll have to live with and you’re now on your own. 

The world expects you to be “over it.” 

But you feel confused, in pain, and like things will never be the same again.

Older woman with short gray hair sitting on a couch, holding her neck with a pained expression, suggesting discomfort or neck pain. She is wearing a light blue shirt and beige pants in a bright living room.

The truth is, while you may not be able to go back to your pre-cancer life…

You can effectively manage shoulder pain and discomfort, start feeling in control of your health, and enjoy your life again

You just need the right education and physical therapy tools.

A tablet and smartphone show a woman exercising with dumbbells. Surrounding them are printed guide pages for Cancer Rehab PTs Healthy Shoulder Program Week 1-2 by Dr. Kelly Sturm, PT. It's physical therapy for shoulder pain.

Introducing

Healthy Shoulder Program

A 12-week physical therapy for shoulder pain program to increase strength, decrease pain and discomfort, and prevent long-term issues so you can feel empowered and reclaim control of your life.

Created by Kelly Sturm, PT, DPT, CLT-LANA, OnCS

Get practical and easy-to-follow physical therapy for shoulder pain at home exercises so you can:

  • Improve mobility, strengthen your muscles, and reduce stiffness and pain
  • Feel confident, healthy, and strong 
  • Stop thinking of shoulder discomfort as an unfixable part of your “new normal”
  • Be secure in your habits and exercise routine and stop wondering if you’re “doing the right thing” 
  • Prevent long-term shoulder issues, reduce anxiety about cancer recurrence, and find hope in life with and after cancer
A woman in workout clothes stands on a yoga mat indoors, holding yellow dumbbells and bending forward at the hips, performing an exercise, part of physical therapy for shoulder pain. She is in a bright room with a brick wall and a large window.

Physical Therapy for Neck and Shoulder Pain

Program Breakdown

12-Week Exercise Program

Improve your shoulder health, get stronger, and minimize pain, discomfort, and tightness. These 65+ exercises are self-paced and available in three different formats to follow from your phone, laptop, or as a PDF guide.

A woman in workout clothes stands sideways, pulling a red resistance band anchored to a sliding barn door, exercising her arm and back muscles. She is doing physical therapy for shoulder pain.

5 Educational Modules

Learn why shoulder pain tends to occur as well as how to care for your shoulder to prevent long-term issues like lymphedema and start feeling healthier and stronger.

A woman stands on a yoga mat at home, holding a resistance band, facing a laptop on the floor and a TV on a white stand, preparing for a workout in a cozy living room. She is doing physical therapy for shoulder pain.

Your Investment

Here at Cancer Rehab PT, I know how expensive physical therapy and medical care can be – especially after cancer treatment. It is my mission to empower and educate as many people living with and after cancer as possible, which is why I tried to make this program as financially accessible as I can.

12-Week Physical Therapy for Shoulder Pain Exercise Program

5 Educational Modules

Practical Resources

One-time payment of $87

A woman with long, wavy hair sits at a desk working on a laptop. The desk also has a water bottle, small potted plants, papers, and a notebook. The background is plain white.

physical therapy After Cancer Treatment

“Thank you so much for your work Kelly, really appreciate the educational content!”
Dani H.
“Thank you, really well explained, thank you I finally understand more and I am more clear about how to do it. Great self program”
Melody S.
“Wow! This is what I was looking for. I love these exercises. Great Stuff!”
Ro G.
“Thank you so much for explaining this so people can understand.”
Aileen B.
“You have single handedly given me hope that I can live a “normal” life and handle these challenges again. Thank you a thousand times.”
Maurine C.

Hi, I’m Kelly Sturm

Doctor of Physical Therapy (PT, DPT), Board-Certified Oncology Specialist, Certified Lymphedema Therapist (CLT), Lymphology Association of North America (LANA) Certified

I’ve spent almost a decade working with people who have or have had cancer. On any given day, I see at least one person with a shoulder issue that has developed before, during, or after treatment. 

These shoulder issues are often debilitating and severely worsen the quality of life. However, cancer survivors are often told that shoulder pain is now a part of their new normal and there is nothing that can be done. 

This could not be further from the truth

After 10 years of working with individuals living with and after cancer, I’ve seen what regular yet simple physical therapy for shoulder pain at home exercises can do to minimize pain and discomfort and maximize quality of life. 

I created the Healthy Shoulder Program because I wanted these tools and resources to be available to as many people as possible, not just the people who can come to my clinic. 

A woman with wavy brown hair, wearing a navy blazer and jeans, stands and smiles in front of a table with small potted succulents. The background features a brick wall and a bright window.
A woman in a white tank top and dark leggings smiles while using a blue foam roller under her hip on a yoga mat in a bright room with a brick wall.

The truth is that “common” does not equal “normal.” 

Even though shoulder pain and discomfort are widespread, you CAN significantly reduce your symptoms and feel confident, healthy, and strong. 

It is my hope that this program will help you do just that.

This physical therapy for shoulder pain program is the right fit for you if…

  • You are living with or after cancer and experiencing shoulder pain, discomfort, muscle weakening, or limited range of motion
  • You want to incorporate exercise and healthy habits into your life, but are not sure where to start and what to do
  • You are worried about long-term issues and cancer recurrence and want to have more information about what is normal and what you need to be concerned about
  • You get overwhelmed with all the information on living with and after cancer out there and are searching for valid, credible resources from a certified medical professional
  • You are busy with family, work, and other responsibilities and need a program that fits into your schedule
  • You’ve tried Googling, local support groups, natural remedies, online yoga classes, or even hiring a personal trainer to help you with your shoulder issues, but these solutions have been only mildly successful
  • You are looking for a practical solution that is less expensive than in-person physical therapy or ongoing oncology consultations

Your Investment

12-Week Physical Therapy for Shoulder Pain Exercise Program

5 Educational Modules

Practical Resources

One-time payment

$87

Frequently Asked Questions

It depends on whether there’s an injury involved and if so, how severe it is. In general, most people will notice improvement in pain and strength in 8-12 weeks. Building muscle takes time, and it’s important to follow an evidence-based fitness routine. That’s why it’s important to follow a program like The Healthy Shoulder Program to make gradual progress.

Physical therapy exercises can improve shoulder pain and mobility, but it’s very important to follow a reputable exercise program and listen to your healthcare provider or physical therapist. Don’t try to just do any exercises, especially if you’re still early in your recovery. 

 

The Healthy Shoulder Program is created by Kelly Sturm, a Doctor of Physical Therapy with 10+ years of experience and a specialized focus on oncology and lymphedema

This physical therapy for shoulder pain program is for people living with and after cancer who struggle with ongoing issues such as pain, discomfort, muscle weakness, tightness, and limited mobility. 

 

You may struggle with simple chores such as bathing, dressing, doing your hair, or reaching into cupboards and be unable to enjoy hobbies or activities such as running or playing with your children or pets. It is possible that you were told that shoulder pain and discomfort are a normal part of cancer/living after cancer and there is nothing that can be done (which is not accurate).

There are 65+ physical therapy exercises for shoulder pain, including stretches, stability, strength, and mobility exercises, organized into a comprehensive 12-week program. All exercises begin with a warm-up, followed by a stability or strength portion, and a cool down with mobility exercises and stretches.

You will have access to three different formats and can use whichever works best for you. You can watch exercise videos on your phone or laptop or download and print out a PDF handout to bring with you to the gym or use at home.

The exercises in this program are designed specifically for people who have or have had cancer and have gone through surgery and/or radiation. For this group of people, lymphedema is a frequent concern as well, and the Healthy Shoulder Program may help prevent it, along with other long-term issues.

The exercises in this program are designed specifically for people who have or have had cancer and have gone through surgery and/or radiation. For this group of people, lymphedema is a frequent concern as well, and the Healthy Shoulder Program may help prevent it, along with other long-term issues.

The Healthy Shoulder Program is self-paced and you will have unlimited access to the materials (as long as the program exists).

Educational modules are meant to empower you with knowledge about living with and after cancer, shoulder pain, and lymphedema prevention.

Ready to reclaim control of your life?