About Amanda Grilli
Hey, I’m Amanda!
I’m an Oncology Physical Therapist, Certified Lymphedema Therapist, and Certified Breast Cancer Coach, devoted to helping those affected by breast cancer to reclaim their strength, identity, and quality of life during, after, and beyond breast cancer.
Before becoming a Physical Therapist, I worked as a surgical coordinator at a breast cancer clinic in Montreal. It was during my time there that I witnessed the profound side effects associated with breast cancer and its treatments. I unfortunately saw individuals suffering from a loss of mobility, strength, and independence, all of which negatively impacted their well-being and daily function. Moved by their stories, I promptly returned to school to pursue another degree, a degree in Physical Therapy with a special focus in Breast Cancer Rehabilitation, to better serve and support those affected by breast cancer.
Today, with over 10 years of experience working in cancer care, I have an intimate knowledge of cancer treatments and the unique recovery process. As a Physical Therapist with expertise in Breast Cancer Rehabilitation, I use a whole-body treatment approach, combining specialized hands-on therapy, individualized therapeutic exercises, and education to help my patients overcome their cancer-related side effects and maximize their physical and emotional well-being during and after breast cancer treatments.
As a Certified Lymphedema Therapist, I safely and effectively treat lymphedema using the gold standard management, Complete Decongestive Therapy. I also help those at risk of lymphedema following cancer treatment to optimize their lymphatic health and reduce their risk of developing this chronic condition.
To further support the breast cancer community, I also became a Certified Breast Cancer Coach. As a coach, I partner closely with those by affected breast cancer, by providing personalized guidance, knowledge, and tools to help them achieve their health and wellness goals beyond physical rehabilitation.
This work is not just my profession; it's my passion, and I'm truly grateful for the opportunity to make a positive impact in the lives of those affected by breast cancer.
Seeing my patients being able to get back to doing what they love is ultimately what drives my passion for the field, and pushes me to improve the quality of my patient care. The best part of my job is celebrating YOUR wins!
Beyond Patient Care
Over the years as a therapist, I have seen how challenging it can be for those affected by breast cancer to access essential cancer care, such as Breast Cancer Rehabilitation. Thus, I have also devoted my career to making Breast Cancer Rehabilitation more accessible, in hopes of ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to improve their quality of life during and after cancer treatments.
In hopes of addressing the geographical barrier to care within my hometown, from 2016 to 2019, I spearheaded and developed a multidisciplinary cancer rehabilitation program across 16 private Physical Therapy practices in Montreal, Canada. To do so, I led the development of a comprehensive two-year cancer rehabilitation curriculum aimed at training physical and occupational therapists in the specialized care of cancer patients.
In 2019, I was appointed to the executive of the Oncology Division at the Canadian Physiotherapy Association (CPA) to serve as their Communications Lead. It is a role that provides me with the opportunity to advocate for our profession within the continuum of cancer care, to further improve access and awareness of Breast Cancer Rehabilitation.
In 2020, after recognizing the lack of education on breast cancer symptom management, I started my social media pages. Over the years, I've encountered countless individuals who felt uninformed about managing their cancer-related side effects, often suffering in silence due to the misconception that nothing could be done for their challenges. This realization inspired me to start providing evidence-based resources, education, and exercises on social media, in the hopes of helping the breast cancer community to feel supported and informed.
I am also a clinical instructor, oncology mentor, and guest speaker. I have taught oncology continuing education courses for physical and occupational therapists, and have given numerous workshops for the breast cancer community, empowering patients with knowledge and self-care strategies. Today, I also help other therapists trained in cancer rehabilitation to grow their practices and treatment strategies, to better serve the cancer community.
Most recently, I founded Well Beyond Breast Cancer, one of the first 501(c)3 non-profit organizations dedicated to improving the quality of life of the breast cancer community through increased accessibility to Breast Cancer Rehabilitation and Lymphedema Therapy. Our mission is to ensure that everyone, regardless of race, age, educational background, and income, has access to essential cancer care during and after breast cancer treatments.
Our Financial Assistance Program aims to alleviate the financial barrier to accessing breast cancer rehabilitation, by providing those in need with no-cost appointments of Breast Cancer Rehabilitation with a physical/occupational therapist in their local community. To learn more about our organization or to get involved, please don’t hesitate to visit our website www.wellbeyondbreastcancer.org.
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