Exercises after Breast Mastectomy/Radiation
By Dr Beth Nicholson – CC’s Staff
Exercises after Breast Mastectomy/Radiation
No one should have to go through breast cancer alone. I am here to tell you that we are here to help guide you through this process at the varying stages of recovery as well as to support you and help you regain your functional independence, returning you to your lifestyle pain free and feeling HOPE again!
Physical therapy is an important part of your recovery after breast mastectomy or breast surgery. It helps to build strength, improve range of motion and mobility, as well as feel better emotionally and physically. It can also help to prevent complications such as lymphedema, axillary cording, increased scar tissue formation as well as reducing stress, anxiety, depression, and fatigue. Staying active after breast surgery is also important as this can aid in the recovery process and the healing timeline. Many people are often scared to move their arm(s) following a mastectomy or even a lumpectomy. They are unsure what type of activities or exercises they can do. This can lead to long term complications of decreased range of motion, joint pain and stiffness, and weakness. It is especially important to start some form of physical therapy if you are also undergoing radiation as this will cause more tightness in your arm and shoulder region. It is important to understand that it is not uncommon to feel good initially after radiation, but then start to notice feelings of tightness, increased pain, or numbness and tingling several weeks to months after ending radiation. Hopefully, if exercises are started prior to going through radiation, much of these things can be avoided which makes for a faster recovery.
Exercises can usually be started as early as 7-14 days following surgery, but this should be cleared first by your surgeon depending on the procedure completed. Gentle exercises and range of motion will be completed initially with progression to more advanced exercises 3-4 weeks after surgery depending on how you are doing. It is helpful to have a physical therapy evaluation to help guide you initially through the early phase so that we can take you appropriately through the progression of exercise and the healing timeline. During the evaluation, education will also be given on lymphedema and compression garments as appropriate.
Below are 3 basic exercises that one could expect to start in the early phases to help with ROM and stiffness:
Shoulder flexion stretch:
Lie on your back with knees bent and feet flat on the floor. Place a broom stick handle or yard stick in your hands, palms facing up towards the ceiling. Lift the wand up over your head as far as you can. Use your unaffected arm to help lift the wand until you feel a stretch in your affected arm. Hold for 5 seconds. Lower arms and repeat up to 10 times.
Wall walks:
Stand facing a wall with your palm on the wall. Gradually walk your hand up the wall until a comfortable stretch is felt in your arm, armpit and chest/shoulder region. Hold this position for 5 seconds, lower your arm and repeat up to 10 times.
Supine Pec stretch:
Lie on your back with your knees bent. Let your hands lie at your side with your palms up. You should feel a comfortable stretch across the front of your chest. For more of a stretch, you can gently slide your arms up towards the shoulders. Keep breathing slowly in through your mouth, out through your nose and lay in this position for up to 1-2 minutes.
To learn about how CC’s can help you, check out our team or give our office a call today!
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Post Author: Beth Nicholson
Beth is a wife, mom to four, and PT. She is passionate about all things PT, and willing to go the extra mile for your care. When she isn’t in the office, she loves spending time with her husband and kiddos out at the lake or taking care of their chickens and other animals.
