Are you having leg, arm or other swelling after cancer? | We can help.

1853 Purcells Cove Road, Halifax, Nova Scotia B3P 1C2

(902) 448-0940

(902) 448-0940

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    • Why legs and arms swell
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    • Treating Lymphedema
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  • More
    • Home
    • Lymphatic Massage
      • Benefits of MLD therapy
      • FAQ about MLD therapy
      • Your Lymphatic System
      • About the MLD Clinic
      • MLD Clinic Blog
    • Swelling
      • Why legs and arms swell
      • Swelling after surgery
      • Poor Leg Circulation
      • Axillary Web Syndrome
      • Injury recovery
    • Lymphedema
      • Treating Lymphedema
      • Post-Cancer Lymphedema
    • LIPEDEMA
      • Living with Lipedema
    • Services
      • MLD Therapy
      • Decongestive Therapy
      • Compression Garments
      • Maintain & Manage
    • Book Now
      • Book Now
      • Contact Us
      • COVID Health and Safety
      • Fees & Insurance
  • Home
  • Lymphatic Massage
  • Swelling
  • Lymphedema
  • LIPEDEMA
  • Services
  • Book Now
MLD CLINIC

Axillary Web Syndrome (Cording)

MLD therapy quickly brings back movement without pain

Axillary web syndrome happens when a band or bands of tight connective tissue form in your arm , armpit and chest wall, following surgery, radiation or chemotherapy for breast cancer. These adhesions affect lymphatic, vascular and muscular tissue.


Those that experience AWS (also known as cording) do so immediately after surgery or up to 2-3 months later. It appears in  just under 30% of breast cancer patients, and is can be concurrent with the onset of lymphedema symptoms.


The cording from axillary web syndrome causes localized pain, creating difficulties reaching, lifting and extending your arm. It also pulls on the structures of the arm and chest wall, impacting ligaments, muscles, and nerves, and causing sharp, tingling or aching pain, with a feeling of tension and constriction.  


Axillary web syndrome generally resolves itself within a few months without treatment, but can reoccur.  A brief course of MLD therapy should shorten that healing timeline from months to several weeks and avoid further cording.

Treating Axillary Web Syndrome


  • Why legs and arms swell
  • Treating Lymphedema
  • Living with Lipedema

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Wonder what's causing your swelling?

Swelling can happen to anyone at anytime for many reasons. It's time to figure yours out.

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