Post-Surgical Rehabilitation
Individualised rehabilitation following cancer-related surgery, supporting safe recovery, mobility, and return to daily life.
Surgery can significantly affect movement, strength, tissue health, and confidence in the body. Post-surgical rehabilitation focuses on supporting healing while gradually restoring function, reducing complications, and helping you move forward with clarity and confidence.
How Care Is Delivered
Rehabilitation is delivered one-on-one, informed by oncology rehabilitation principles and specialist clinical experience.
Oncology-Informed Physiotherapy
Care is guided by an understanding of surgical procedures, cancer treatment effects, and how these influence healing, movement, and tissue response.
Individualised, Gradual Progression
Rehabilitation is adjusted to surgical timelines, symptoms, and tolerance, allowing progress without overloading healing tissues.
Functional, Real-World Focus
Treatment supports everyday activities such as reaching, walking, lifting, posture, and return to meaningful movement.
Telehealth Support Where Appropriate
Telehealth appointments may be used for guidance, review, or progression once initial assessment has occurred.
What Post-Surgical Rehabilitation May Include
Care may involve:
- Assessment of movement, strength, posture, and function
- Gentle mobility and range-of-motion exercises
- Gradual strength and load progression
- Scar and soft tissue support where appropriate
- Pain and symptom management strategies
- Education around safe movement and pacing
- Support returning to daily activities or exercise
Who This Service Is For
Post-surgical rehabilitation may be appropriate if you:
- Have recently undergone cancer-related surgery
- Are recovering from breast, abdominal, pelvic, or lymph node surgery
- Experience pain, stiffness, weakness, or reduced mobility
- Are concerned about returning to movement safely
- Want structured guidance beyond early post-operative advice
- Are navigating longer-term recovery after surgery
What Is The Pentimento Project
The Pentimento Project provides Brisbane-based physiotherapy care for people navigating cancer treatment, recovery, and survivorship. Care is shaped by specialist oncology training and lived understanding of the physical challenges that can follow treatment.
Support focuses on restoring trust in the body, improving function, and helping people move forward with confidence.
Our Experience & Training
Care at The Pentimento Project is delivered by an experienced physiotherapist with advanced training in cancer rehabilitation and lymphoedema management.
Julie Allen holds APA Titling in Cancer and Lymphoedema Physiotherapy and has over 15 years of clinical experience across rehabilitation, pain management, and complex physical presentations.
- APA Titled Cancer and Lymphoedema Physiotherapist
- Over 15 years of clinical physiotherapy experience
- Bachelor of Physiotherapy (First Class Honours), The University of Queensland
- Member, Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA)
- Sports physiotherapist with elite and state-level sporting teams
Clinical Leadership & Founder
Julie Allen is the founder of The Pentimento Project, her professional focus shifted following her own diagnosis and treatment for Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Despite extensive clinical experience, Julie experienced first-hand the physical deconditioning, pain, and uncertainty that can follow cancer treatment, and the lack of structured rehabilitation support available at that stage.
Brisbane-Based Post-Surgical Rehabilitation
Appointments are available at Brisbane Health Connect, located within Brisbane Medical Specialists in Tarragindi. Lift access and accessible parking are available, with additional street parking nearby.
Questions People Often Ask Before Starting
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a referral to book an appointment?
A referral is not required to book an appointment. A GP referral may be needed if you plan to claim a Medicare rebate under a Chronic Disease Management Plan.
Can I attend cancer rehabilitation while still undergoing treatment?
Yes. Cancer rehabilitation can be provided during active treatment, as well as after treatment has finished. Care is adapted to your current medical status, treatment stage, and energy levels.
What happens at the first appointment?
Your first appointment focuses on understanding your cancer history, treatments received or ongoing, current symptoms, and how these are affecting movement, strength, and daily function. Assessment may include movement observation, strength testing, and discussion around goals, concerns, and priorities for care.
What does cancer rehabilitation support with?
Cancer rehabilitation may support fatigue, deconditioning, pain, weakness, balance changes, reduced mobility, and loss of confidence in movement. Care is tailored to your needs and adjusted as recovery progresses.
Here When You’re Ready to Begin
Appointments are available in-clinic at Brisbane Health Connect in Tarragindi. Telehealth appointments are also available where appropriate. On-site parking is provided, with additional street parking nearby and lift access within the building.
When you feel ready, appointments can be booked directly online or by contacting the clinic for support with your booking.