Why exercise is important after surgery
As with other surgery, the wound and surrounding tissues needs time to heal but there are many people who are not sure how much to rest and how much to move.
It is normal to feel discomfort and muscle tension after surgery. For some, a fear of movement may lead to post-operative complications (such as shoulder, chest and neck pain). Gentle and graduated exercises in the early stages after an operation can help minimise these complications.
Many people are understandably protective of their recovering arm, however, movement is very important to avoid the long-term effects of the surgery on your shoulder and neck. Once your wounds have healed, and the swelling has reduced, don't be afraid to move.
Strengthen Your Recovery, a Pilates program following breast cancer surgery
This program is designed to support recovery in the initial 10 weeks after breast cancer surgery. The graded program is presented on a DVD. It will provide women with easy-to-follow, gentle Pilates exercises and instruction to help regain strength and ease discomfort in the affected arm and chest area after recently having breast cancer surgery.
- The exercise program is thoughtfully and carefully structured around three phases of recovery after surgery, culminating in a class style session.
- The DVD is accompanied by an 8-page booklet containing important information and guidelines.
Strengthen Your Recovery goals include:
- help relieve neck, shoulder and back pain which can be common after breast cancer surgery
- promote drainage of lymph fluids to reduce the risk of lymphoedema
- restore normal posture and movement after surgery
- improve flexibility, strength, confidence and wellbeing.
NOTE: This program is designed to support recovery in the initial 10 weeks after breast cancer surgery.
The program has been developed by BCNA with a breast cancer survivor and qualified Pilates instructor. We have also been fortunate to have the expertise of a specialist physiotherapist to guide the development of the program.
Strengthen Your Recovery has been funded through a generous donation by The Estee Lauder Companies
To order the Strengthen Your Recovery DVD
Phone BCNA on our freecall number 1800 500 258, if you have recently had breast cancer surgery and would like more information.
Recommendations
"I was very excited when I saw the Strengthen Your Recovery DVD and will strongly recommend that my clients follow this program. With this DVD they can be confident to continue to work gently with their body and adjust the exercises to suit their ever changing needs. This will improve their comfort throughout their treatment as well as their longer term recovery. Congratulations for producing such a wonderful aid to help women have the confidence to maintain their fitness throughout the difficult period as they recover from breast cancer treatment." -- Mary Shearer, Physiotherapist, The Breast Centre, Newcastle
"I think the program is wonderful, and that it will make a huge difference to the women who are fortunate to get hold of it at the right time." -- Domini Stuart, Journalist and author of "You can get through this! How to stay positive when you're coping with breast cancer".
More information
- If you are beyond this initial post-surgical period but are interested in accessing clinical Pilates, you may wish to contact the Australian Physiotherapy Association, where you can 'Find a Physio' . You will need to select, 'Clinical Pilates' under the category 'Other areas of interest'. Using this method you can also search for a Physiotherapist specialising in Lymphoedema management.
