Surgery has a traumatic impact on your physical and mental well-being, necessitating a great effort by your body to restore your physique to its optimal level. While you could just play a game of "wait and see" when it comes to recovery, your body will more quickly regain its strength and range of motion if you are proactive in adopting physical therapy movements as soon as possible after your surgery. When it comes to recovering from breast cancer, you can practice several movements to lessen the pain of recovery -- train daily for maximum benefit.
Basic Training
Perform simple tasks with the arm on the affected side during the week immediately following your surgery. This advice comes courtesy of the American Cancer Society, which recommends that you make it a conscious habit to actively use your "surgery side arm" to perform all basic household tasks, including washing, eating, and while getting dressed. Performing these normal movements constantly with the affected arm will help your body more readily reacclimate itself to allowing for a full, pain-free range of motion.
Wand Exercise
Perform the wand exercise to regain a full range of motion in your shoulder. Hold a stretched towel or broomstick in your hands while lying down with your feet on the floor and your knees bent at a 45-degree angle. Keep your arms straight and begin the movement with the towel or broomstick resting against your lower abdomen. Initiate the movement by bringing your arms up as high above your head as possible while keeping your arms straight and your elbows locked. Hold in the stretched position for 5 to 10 seconds and repeat the drill 8 to 10 times per session.
Elbow Wing
Perform the elbow wing to redevelop movement and strength in the muscles of your chest. Lie on the ground with your feet on the floor and your knees bent at a 45-degree angle with your hands interlaced behind your head and your elbows resting on the floor. Initiate the movement by keeping your hands locked together behind your head and attempting to bring your elbows together in front of your body. Do not be dismayed if you have a hard time getting your elbows off the ground at first. Be persistent and results will come. Repeat the motion five to seven times per session.
Shoulder Stretch
Perform the shoulder stretch while facing a wall to lengthen and strengthen the muscles of your shoulder. Standing roughly 6 to 12 inches in front of a wall, place your fingertips on the wall at roughly shoulder height. Slowly "climb" the wall with your fingers, going as high as you are able without pain or adjusting the position of your body (for instance, by standing on your toes). Hold this stretched position for 5 to 10 seconds and repeat the exercise three to four times, attempting to climb just a bit higher with each repetition.
Tags: your body, with your, your elbows, range motion, your arms
