Many areas of the body can be affected by breast cancer surgery and treatments. A lot of people complain about stiffness, pulling, tightness, and having less flexibility. The muscles and skin are shortened because of the surgery and there is scar tissue. Some of the nerves may be irritated. You may feel burning, tingling, or numbness. The goal of exercise after cancer is to restore the patient to a level of fitness that they enjoyed prior to the surgery.
When can you start a fitness program - before, during or after cancer treatment or surgery? It is important to talk to your doctor before starting to exercise. You should start stretching exercises as soon as you get clearance from your doctor. This way you can determine what program is right for you. Some exercises can be started soon after surgery while others can be done right after the drains and stitches are removed. Some exercises can be done before treatment, and some during treatments.
To read more about exercise for cancer patients and the importance of exercise in cancer recovery click here:
http://lotstolivefor.blogspot.com/2012/02/exercise-and-cancer-part-2.html
Carol Michaels, guest blogger, and author of the posting above, is a cancer exercise specialist, and the owner of Recovery Fitness in Short Hills, NJ.
Initially, one of the goals of this program is to restore a person's range of motion and break down scar tissue.
Read more about Carol's approach to exercise after cancer treatment by clicking above. Carol also has an cancer exercise CD which can be purchased on the Recovery Fitness website.