Fitness for Breast Cancer Survivors…Continued Breast cancer is a serious illness that requires an understanding of the disease and the issues that you will most likely encounter. A decrease in the quality of life is a tremendous concern. You can have a great role in promoting wellness through education and the provision of a goal oriented fitness program. However, it is very important to educate yourself regarding exercise precautions and contraindications which are beyond the scope of this article Modifications may be necessary due to fitness level, co-morbid conditions and exercise tolerance.

Fitness trainers can have a great role in promoting wellness through education and the provision of a goal oriented fitness program. These are the primary goals of your exercise program, but individual needs and concerns should be addressed. It is recommended to refer any woman with significant functional limitations or lymphedema to a rehabilitation specialist. In addition, it is essential to screen clients before recommending an exercise program to meet the individual's level of fitness, age, treatment concerns or any other health issues. A detailed medical history is necessary to adhere to any precautions or contraindications especially while undergoing treatment. Older women, women still undergoing treatment, or those with any concurrent diseases especially cardiovascular, respiratory musculoskeletal, or renal should be evaluated by a physician for medical clearance. Breast Cancer Exercise Goals: 1) Promote Optimal Range Of Motion At The Shoulder This is the most important goal for your client to achieve. It is essential for clients to have a good range of motion at the shoulder to undergo radiation. However, pain and swelling may limit ones ability and willingness to perform exercises on a regular basis. Physicians follow different time frames when recommending range of motion, but the sooner the better. These shoulder exercises must performed daily for at least a year or two after surgery. Scar tissue continues to form and must be stretched on a regular basis to prevent adhesions. The axillary region and pectoralis major are the main areas to be stretched. Some good exercises include the triceps stretch for the axillary region, the child's pose in yoga (if client is able to go down on their knees and rock forward and back) the traditional wall pectoralis stretch, or holding a towel in both arms and using the unaffected arm to pull the other behind the ear and behind the back into external /internal rotation respectively. Pain is to be respected and the stretch should be held to the point of discomfort not pain. The stretches should be held from 5-10 seconds at first, gradually increasing the length of time. It is better to perform the exercises several times during the day, rather than all at once. The type of exercises should be varied to obtain good range of motion in all planes at the shoulder.   2) Reduce The Risk Of Lymphedema All clients at risk should be instructed in lymphedema precautions and reminders provided to adhere to them regularly. Clients should be instructed in recognizing the symptoms i.e. warmth, swelling redness, or numbness in the arm. Avoiding heat, bug bites, and scratches to the affected arm decreases ones risk of infection. Infection can lead to lymphedema. If lymphedema is a concern, your client should be fitted with a sleeve which is worn while they exercise especially when lifting weights. Progress your client slowly and start with a light weight i.e. 1 pound. Shoulder raises, shoulder abductions ,tricep extensions and bicep curls are all appropriate exercises. Gauge the response of the arm to the activity. If the arm swells either the weight or the number of repetitions was too much for the limb to handle and should be modified. Repetitions and weights should not be progressed at the same time. I generally start with 1 set of each exercise described above to the effected arm 2-3 times a week. Do not takes blood pressure in the affected arm!!! Home   > Articles          previous   /   1   /   2 /   3   /   next