Lumpectomy is a surgical procedure to remove cancer tissue from the breast, notes Mayo Clinic. After a lumpectomy, your surgeon will suggest exercise programs that increase your range of motion, and reduce swelling and arm and shoulder stiffness, notes BreastCancer.org. Consult with your surgeon before starting an exercise program.
Arm Lifts
Arm lifts are a post lumpectomy exercise recommended by Vancouver Coastal Health to prevent arm and shoulder stiffness and reduce swelling. To perform this exercise, lie on your back and clasp both hands together. Extend both arms above your head and ensure that your elbows remain straight. Lower your arms to the starting position and repeat this exercise 10 times. Perform this exercise three to five times daily.
Shoulder Blade Stretch
The American Cancer Society recommends a shoulder blade stretch to increase the range of motion in your shoulder blade and reduce the risk of swelling. Sit in a chair very close to a table and rest your back against the chair. Bend your elbow and place your unaffected arm on the table with the palm facing down. Straighten your affected arm and place it on the table with the palm facing down. Begin to slide your affected arm towards the opposite end of the table, ensuring that you are not moving your torso forward. Continue sliding your affected arm until you feel a stretch in your shoulder blade. Return your arm to your starting position and repeat this exercise five to seven times.
Atlas
Atlas is an exercise recommended by Ohio State University Medical Center to increase your range your motion. Begin this exercise by standing in front of a wall. Bend your elbows and place the palms of both hands flat against the wall. Bend your head forward so that you are looking at the floor. Begin to take small steps away from the wall. As you step away from the wall, slowly begin to extend your arms so that you fell the stretch in your shoulder.
Arm Circling
Arm circling is recommended by Penn Medicine to increase the range of motion in your arms and shoulders. Begin this exercise by placing your unaffected arm on a table, bench or the back of a chair. Bend the wrist of the unaffected forward and allow your affected to hang freely from your shoulder. Swing your affected arm forward and backwards, side to side and then initiate small, circular motions. As your arm becomes more relaxed, gradually increase the size of the circles. Perform exercise three to four times a day and complete 15 repetitions.
References
- Mayo Clinic: Lumpectomy
- BreastCancer.org: Lumpectomy: What to Expect
- Vancouver Coastal Health: Exercises after Lumpectomy/ Partial Mastectomy with Axillary Node Dissection
- American Cancer Society: Exercises After Breast Surgery
- Ohio State University Medical Center: Advanced Exercises After Lumpectomy or Mastectomy
- Penn Medicine: Post-Breast Surgery Exercises
