- Following any form of breast cancer treatment, exercise is an essential part of a healthy and fuller recovery. According to Staying Abreast, an organization focused on rehabilitation exercises for breast cancer surgery, post-treatment exercise offers multiple benefits. Exercising can increase the level of endorphins in the body, which leads to decreased tension, fatigue, weakness, and depression. Also, exercise is important in helping restore and maintain range of motion, flexibility, and strength to affected areas of the body. It can improve posture, alleviate stiffness, prevent scar tissue or frozen shoulder from developing, and much more. Most important, Staying Abreast asserts, is the increase in one's "fighting spirit" while battling cancer.
- It is important to take your recovery in stages and to use an exercise regimen that meets the level of recovery. Exercises can begin as soon as three days after your treatment procedure, and increase in difficulty and required exertion as time and healing progress. If an exercise program is moved through too quickly, injury and discomfort may result. When developing a personal exercise program, the advice of a physician, nurse, and/or physical and occupational therapist should be sought. These professionals are trained in exercises proper for a safe and healthy recovery.
-
In the beginning stages of recovery, the proper exercises are often very simple, such as a shoulder shrug or shoulder roll. They are done gently, often doing two sets of five per day. Deep breathing exercises are also common in the days after surgery to improve lung functioning. Normal tasks of daily living, such as brushing your hair or teeth, are also considered exercise at this point.
As healing progresses, so do the exercises. To increase shoulder and front chest motion, lie on your back with your hands clasped behind your head and elbows pointed up to the ceiling. Then move your elbows down toward the floor, keeping hands clasped, and repeat five to seven sets of five to seven each day. Note that it might be weeks before you are successful in resting your elbows on the floor. There are also many sitting and standing exercises at this point in your recovery.
Eventually, the exercise regimen will advance to a level of aerobic conditioning, weight loss, bone density maintenance, strengthening, and improving flexibility. While it is possible to return to an advanced fitness level, check with your doctor or physical therapist to ensure that your exercises are in line with breast cancer guidelines.
