Breast cancer surgery — whether it's a biopsy, lumpectomy, lymph node removal, mastectomy, or breast reconstruction — can cause pain and stiffness, and restrict shoulder and arm motion. That, in turn, can affect your everyday activities in ways you might not expect, like showering, dressing, brushing your teeth, drying your hair, and even just reaching to grab an object.
When I had a mastectomy and subsequent breast reconstruction back in 1988, the only exercise I was given was a simple one: Stand in front of a wall and “crawl” my fingers toward the top. (The other was swimming, but I'm someone with an intense fear of the water, so that wasn’t happening.) Unlike now, exercise and movement was largely discouraged and was to be kept to a bare minimum.
Nearly half of all women who have breast cancer surgery suffer from subsequent pain or physical limitation, according to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Post-mastectomy pain syndrome (PMPS) can affect anyone undergoing any type of breast cancer surgery. It’s caused by the removal of tissue in the upper outside part of the chest or underarm area; women who have undergone radiation and axillary lymph node dissection (the removal of lymph nodes under the arm to check for cancer’s spread) can also be affected, per the American Cancer Society.
That’s why experts agree that it’s important to do proper exercises after breast surgery to decrease the side effects, regain full arm and shoulder motion, and resume normal everyday activities.
“Women, after breast surgery, have a tendency to try to protect their chest area, but that’s actually counterproductive,” explains Lauren Shroyer, a board-certified athletic trainer and the director of product development at the American Council on Exercise (ACE). “Holding yourself tight and forward will actually increase the amount of stiffness in that area.” To keep your body loose and your muscles working, exercise and stretching post-surgery are essential, Shroyer says.
Remember to always consult your physician to determine when you are ready to start exercising after surgery. Here are six beginner moves to get your mobility back. Put on some loose, comfy clothing, and don’t forget to take deep, cleansing breaths as you do each exercise. “Think of this as relaxation time, and a positive experience for your body,” says Shroyer.
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October 23, 2021 at 02:41AM
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Stretches to Try After Breast Cancer Surgery - Everyday Health
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