A lumpectomy is a surgery that removes a tumor from your breast, along with some surrounding normal tissue. Your arm and shoulder on the side where you had surgery may become stiff and must be exercised after the surgery. These exercises should begin the day after surgery for maximum effect, unless you are told otherwise by your doctor. Exercises can be done from prone, sitting or standing positions.
Why Exercise After a Lumpectomy
Beginning an exercise program immediately after a lumpectomy helps you regain total use of your arm. Stiffness can limit your range of motion, preventing you from being able to competently attend to daily activities. Exercise also speeds the reduction of swelling, improves your posture and alleviates some of the anxiety that may have resulted from surgery, says Vancouver Coastal Health.
Exercises You Can Do While Lying Down
For the wand exercise, hold a stick with both hands, palm facing up, and lift it above your head until you feel a stretch in the affected arm. Hold for five seconds and repeat five to seven times. This exercise is to promote the return of forward motion in your shoulder.
For the elbow winging exercise, start with your hands behind your neck with elbows pointing upward. Slowly lower your elbows to touch the bed. You may not be able to master this until after a few weeks of exercising. This procedure facilitates the movement of the front of your shoulder and chest.
Sitting Exercises
For the shoulder blade stretch, sit in an upright chair with your back supported and the chair pulled close to a table. The arm on the uninjured side goes palm down on the table, elbow bent. The arm on the side where you had surgery also goes palm down on the table, but with the elbow straight. Slide this arm slowly forward, keeping your body and unaffected arm immobile. Relax and repeat five to seven times to improve the movement of your shoulder blade.
For the shoulder blade squeeze, sit facing a mirror with your back away from the back of the chair. Keep your arms at your side, elbows bent. Bring your elbows behind you by squeezing your shoulder blades together. Your shoulders should not move up toward your ears as you do this exercise, which will also improve the movement in your shoulder blades. Repeat five to seven times.
For the side bending exercise, from a seated position, clasp your hands in front and slowly raise them over your head, then bend to one side. Return to the overhead position, then bend to the other side. Repeat five to seven times to increase the range of motion in your trunk and body.
Standing Exercises
For the chest wall stretch, from eight to 10 inches away, stand facing a corner and place your forearms on the two walls of the corner, keeping your elbows at shoulder height if you can. Move your chest alone toward the corner, with your arms and feet staying stationary. This stretches your chest.
For the shoulder stretch, stand facing a wall from eight to 10 inches away and place your hands on the wall. Slowly walk your fingers up the wall until your arm is fully extended if possible. This helps your shoulder movements, the American Cancer Society says. When you begin exercising, start slowly and increase the range of motion as your flexibility improves.
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