Breast Cancer Surgery Rehabilitation Exercises

According to the American Cancer Society, many women with breast cancer have some sort of surgical procedure, including a breast biopsy, a lymph node biopsy or removal, lumpectomy, mastectomy or breast reconstruction. These procedures may affect your arm or shoulder movement, and it is important to exercise after any of these procedures to minimize any side effects. Before starting any exercises, you should consult your doctor.

Breast Cancer Surgery

Any of the surgical procedures mentioned above may affect nerves, tissue and muscles in the breast area. Muscles and skin may feel tough and stiff post-surgery, and movement in the arm and shoulder may be limited for a short time after the procedure. Removal of lymph nodes slows the flow of lymph, which can cause swelling, and some exercises can help reduce this symptom.

Directly Post-Surgery

After any of the surgical procedures, for the first week there are some minor exercises that can be done. One of these exercises involves lying down and raising the arm on the side of the surgery above the heart for 45 minutes. This can be done by using pillows to ensure that your hand is elevated above the wrist and your elbow is elevated above the shoulder. This helps reduce swelling. While in this position, you can open and close your hand 15 to 25 times and bend and straighten the elbow. This also helps reduce the swelling. These exercises can be done two to three times a day.

Do not sleep on the side that was operated on, and try to use the affected arm normally during your daily routine, like combing your hair, eating, and putting on clothes.

Deep breathing exercises can help maintain normal movement of your chest and help make it easier to breathe. Lie down on your back and breathe deeply and slowly. Try to breathe in as much air as you can, and then breathe out. Do this four or five times.

Recovery From Surgery

Once your doctor says it is OK, there are other rehabilitation exercises you can do. One exercise is the chest wall stretch. Stand facing a corner, about 8 to 10 inches away from the wall. Bend your elbows and put your forearms on the wall, parallel to each other. Your elbows should be on the same level as your shoulders. While standing still, lean toward the corner with your chest. Repeat five to seven times, suggests the American Cancer Society.

An exercise that helps stretch the shoulders and increase mobility is "climbing the wall." Standing, face the wall from 8 to 10 inches away. With your hands on the wall, use your fingers to climb up the wall, going as high as you can until you feel the stretch. Return to the starting position and repeat five to seven times.

Sitting Down Exercises

According to the American Cancer Society, one exercise that you can do sitting down is a side bending exercise. Sit down and place your hands together. Slowly, lift your arms over your head and straighten them. Once they are above your head, bend to the right from your waist. Then straighten up and repeat on the left side. Do this five to seven times.

Another exercise that the American Cancer Society recommends involves sitting in a chair and facing a mirror. Do not lean against the back of the chair. Place your arms at your sides, with your elbows bent. Squeeze your shoulder blades together, with your elbows in back of you. Try not to move your shoulders toward your ears; keep them level. Return to the original position and repeat approximately five to seven times, if possible.

Warning

While doing post-surgery exercises, it is important to pay attention to your body. Start slow and work your way up as your stamina increases. If you start to get weak or lose your balance, experience increasing pain, have an increase in swelling, or sudden dizziness or blurred vision, stop exercising and call your doctor.