There are many other exercises that can help you regain good range of motion in your arm, shoulder, and chest muscles. If you need help learning these exercises or want professional help, find a good therapist that can help you. The disciplines of Pilates, physical therapy, sports medicine, and orthopedics can be of great help. Keep exercising after breast surgery to regain your strength and flexibility. A healthy diet and regular exercise is a good habit to establish - it will lower your risk of recurrence, improve your mood, and help you lose weight.
More Exercises to Try:
- Pilates for Breast Cancer Recovery
- Pilates Exercise: Arm Reach and Pull for Scapular and Shoulder Stabilty
- Pilates Exercise: Arms Over
- Physical Therapy: Post-Operative Shoulder Rehabilitation Program
- Physical Therapy: Rotator Cuff Strengthening Exercises
- Sports Medicine: Shoulder Rehab Exercises - Isometric Rotator Cuff Shoulder Exercises
- Orthopedics: Frozen Shoulder Treatment
Things To Remember About Exercise and Breast Surgery Recovery
Be sure to discuss your exercise plans with your doctor - before you start. Don't overdo physical activity in the weeks after your surgery. Be gentle with your affected arm. Increase your exercise repetitions very gradually. Stop and get help if you have pain that doesn't go away, develop swelling near any incision, or have persistent headaches or blurred vision. Your goal is to recover motion and flexibility in your arms, shoulders and chest muscles, and to promote lymph drainage, which helps prevent lymphedema. Give yourself several weeks to recover from breast surgery, and remember that exercises can help!
Sources:
Exercises After Breast Surgery. American Cancer Society. Updated: 05/19/2009.
Save Our Shoulders. Mobility Research Office, Moss Rehabilitation Research Institute. Published 2003.
