If you've been diagnosed with breast cancer your doctor may prescribe surgery as a way to treat the condition, but you will probably have to undergo radiation therapy as well. One unfortunate side effect of this treatment is pain that is often called Post Radiation Breast Pain Syndrome, or PRBPS. The American Cancer Society notes that pain and weakness associated with radiation therapy can continue for months after the treatment itself, and exercise is an important part of your rehabilitative therapy. Talk to your oncologist and get her okay before starting any exercise program.
Exercises for Immediately After Surgery
If prescribed by your doctor, try to use the arm on the side of your body where the cancer is located during your normal routine. Use the arm to comb your hair, eat and when getting dressed, advises the American Cancer Society. Another exercise you may be prescribed involves lying down on a couch or your bed and lifting your arm over your heart until your hand and elbow are held above heart level. Hold this position for 45 minutes to help reduce swelling.
Wand Exercise
To perform this exercise you will need a short stick like a yardstick or a piece of a broom handle. Lie down on on your bed with both knees bent at a 45 degree angle and the soles of both feet on the bed. Use both arms to raise the wand up and over your head as far as you can without experiencing serious pain. Hold this position for five seconds and then return to the starting position. The American Cancer Society recommends that you repeat this exercise five to seven times or as directed by your doctor.
Shoulder Blade Stretch
This exercise involves sitting in a chair at a table with the chair pulled as close to the table as possible. Put the arm that is not affected by the radiation treatment on the table with the palm facing down and your elbow bent. Leave this arm stationary throughout the remainder of this exercise. Lay the arm affected by the treatment on the table with your palm facing down and the elbow straight. Keep your head and upper body stationary and try to slide your injured arm as far across the table as possible. Repeat this exercise five to seven times or as directed by your doctor.
References
- University of Arizona: Long-Term Consequences of Breast Cancer Therapy
- "BMC Cancer"; The efficacy of physiotherapy upon shoulder function following axillary dissection in breast cancer, a randomized controlled study; Carien HG Beurskens, et al.; Aug. 2007
- American Cancer Society: Exercises after Breast Surgery
