| What can we do after walking and raising awareness | | | | when lymphatic fluid collects and is unable to drain |
| for Breast Cancer? Promote exercise everywhere | | | | properly. Close supervision by a Physical Therapist or |
| you go and with everyone you meet, especially | | | | Occupational Therapist is a good idea to receive |
| among Breast Cancer survivors. Did you know even | | | | proper guidance for exercise selection and instruction. |
| Breast Cancer survivors benefit from exercise? | | | | Not only can strengthening occur but the therapist |
| October was Breast Cancer awareness month and | | | | can assist in developing alternate routes for lymphatic |
| Physical Therapy awareness month. What better | | | | fluid drainage to prevent the likelihood of developing |
| way to celebrate and raise awareness by continuing | | | | lymph edema. Therapists can also show you how to |
| to give the gift of fitness to survivors by working | | | | monitor your arm if you are prone to developing |
| with one group of professionals best trained to work | | | | lymphedema. The risk of lymphedema is also |
| with them, physical therapists, and by encouraging | | | | decreased by participation in a supervised exercise |
| everyone you love to make fitness a regular part of | | | | program. Physical therapists are well trained and |
| their daily lives. | | | | qualified to provide evidence-based, supervised and |
| Everyone knows of someone affected by Breast | | | | individualized exercise programs for willing survivors. |
| cancer. Over 271,420 new cases of Breast cancer | | | | An integrative and complete exercise program will |
| were expected to be diagnosed in 2005. Breast | | | | focus on strength and flexibility of the shoulder, arm, |
| cancer survivors have very special needs requiring a | | | | back and hand in addition to posture, aerobic |
| skilled professional at least until they reach a | | | | endurance, lower body training and stress reduction. |
| maintenance phase in exercise programming. | | | | Exercises for core strengthening and stabilization are |
| Once their physician provides a medical clearance | | | | another way to improve function and strength. |
| exercise a woman can begin exercising. Exercise | | | | Proper postural retraining is very important as |
| programs provide flexibility exercises for the affected | | | | changes tend to occur following surgery which if left |
| arm and improve postural alignment and awareness | | | | unaddressed can lead to the development of other |
| after surgery. | | | | problems. |
| Some of the exercise benefits of participating in a | | | | Deep breathing techniques will assist with controlling |
| regular exercise program for Breast Cancer survivors | | | | and returning lymphatic fluid back to the heart By |
| are: | | | | practicing deep and efficient breathing techniques, |
| - increased quality of life | | | | postural alignment will be improved and stress can be |
| - increased mood | | | | reduced. |
| - increased strength and endurance | | | | Flexibility exercises will increase range of motion |
| - prevention of complications after surgery and | | | | where limitations exist not only in the upper body but |
| treatment | | | | in the back as well. A flexibility program will also |
| Exercise helps to battle the side effects of | | | | address any scar tissue that may have developed |
| treatment and aid in Breast Cancer recovery. | | | | following surgery. |
| Additional benefits of exercise include improvements | | | | If exhaustion and fatigue are a factor, participating in |
| in function and pain perception and all psychological | | | | appropriate exercises throughout the course of the |
| areas according to the latest research. Exercise will | | | | day as opposed to a continuous exercise session |
| help with daily activities and prevent further | | | | may be more tolerable. Cardiovascular or aerobic |
| weakness and musculoskeletal problems. | | | | exercise will boost your endurance. Try something |
| Once full range of motion or mobility are restored | | | | simple and safe initially like walking. |
| strength training for the affected arm can begin. | | | | Learn how to use and incorporate the use of your |
| While working towards full range of motion, continue | | | | affected arm in your daily activities. This is a great |
| strengthening those body parts that are not | | | | way to functionally work on flexibility and strength. |
| affected. You'll need the strength in the rest of your | | | | Remember we can all do something active and |
| body to be functional and efficient with your daily | | | | encourage those around us to do the same. Exercise |
| activities. Some women on hormonal therapy are at | | | | is an inclusive activity that we all can benefit from |
| risk for developing osteoporosis. Weightbearing | | | | with proper guidance. So don't wait for a special |
| exercise can help offset any possible fractures. | | | | month or a problem to enlist the help of a physical |
| Physical activity is still possible even with | | | | therapist. Partner up and start moving today to feel |
| lymphedema, a chronic swelling of the affected arm | | | | your power - all year long! |