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Post Breast Therapy Rehabilitation Exercises
Francine Manuel, RPT

Post Breast Surgery Stage I: Beginning to Move
Post Breast Surgery Stage II: Increasing Physical Activity


You can enhance your physical and psychological recovery following breast surgery by returning as quickly as possible to the normal activities of your daily life. See also Activities of Daily Living for Post Breast Surgery You can begin exercising as soon as you have permission from your physician, usually a few days after surgery. Your next step is active participation in a structured exercise program, such as the American Cancer Society's Reach to Recovery postmastectomy exercise program, the YWCA's ENCORE (Encouragement, Normalcy, Counseling, Opportunity, Reaching Out and Energies Revived) program, or a similar exercise program, such as the one given here.

Post Breast Surgery Exercises
Demonstration Thanks to Lisa Glassberg

The following exercise program will help initiate your recovery. It can be used in conjunction with the Reach to Recovery or ENCORE programs. If you had breast reconstruction at the same time as your surgery, do not begin this program without your surgeon's approval.


Post Breast Surgery Stage I: Beginning to Move
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Upper-Arm Isometrics

The following exercises are done with your affected arm and do not require much motion.

showing upper arm
  1. Start with shoulder shrugging, ten repetitions, holding for a count of six.
  2. Tighten the muscles of your upper arm by slightly bending the elbow and pulling the arm in toward your body.
  3. Hold for a count of six; relax for one to two seconds before repeating

Lower-Arm Isometrics

lower arm graphic
  1. Turn your hands palms up.
  2. Make a fist and curl up your wrist.
  3. Hold for a count of six; relax for one to two seconds before repeating

Hand Squeeze

hand squeezing ball graphic
Use exercise putty or a sponge ball. Squeeze them in your hand.

Fingers

Use exercise putty, a sponge ball or clothespin for gentle finger work.


Post Breast Surgery Stage II: Increasing Physical Activity
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Crawling the Wall

graphic demonstrating arm crawl
  1. Stand facing a wall, about 6 to 8 in. (15 to 20 cm) away from it.
  2. Reach toward the wall, and walk your fingers up as far as you can. Mark the place where you stop each day to encourage you to go higher the next time.
  3. Repeat steps 1 and 2, but begin by turning so that the side of your body faces the wall.

Pendulum Exercise

figure sitting in chair bending forward graphic
  1. Begin by sitting in a chair. Bending forward, let the arm hang straight down. Move it in small circles, the way a clock's pendulum moves.
  2. Progress to a standing position. (Hold on to a chair or place your hand on a counter or table for stability.) Swing your arm forward and out to the side as well as making circles.

Elbow Touches

 elbow touching graphic
  1. Lie on your back, placing your hands behind your head with your elbows flat on the bed.
  2. Bring your elbows together in front of your body.
  3. Lower your elbows back down to the bed. (This exercise can also be done sitting up.)

Cane Exercises

figure using cane behind back graphic
  1. Put a cane (a broom handle or a yardstick is also good) behind your back and put both hands on it. Pull from side to side.
  2. Put the cane behind your neck, and repeat as above.
figure turning head with stick behind the back graphic

Pulley Exercise

figure facing away from wall demonstrating arm pull
  1. Place an exercise stretcher or a jump rope over a door. (You can hammer a nail at the top of the door to keep the rope from falling off.)
  2. Stand with your back to the edge of the door. (You can also face the edge of the door. This exercise can also be done sitting down.)
  3. Use your good arm to pull your affected arm as high over your head as possible. Go only slightly into the painful range.
figure facing away from wall demonstrating arm pull




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