Saturday, February 25, 2012

SATURDAY STRENGTH: Gaining Strength, Both Physically and Mentally, Through Pilates

I found an interesting article about exercising for Breast Cancer survivors, and thought I'd share it with you. It focuses specifically on an exercise called...

Pilates


The article is found on About.com, and was written by Marguerite Ogle. She shared some insights she gained while visiting with Naomi Aaronson, MA, OTR/L, CHT.

Ms. Ogle starts off by saying something that caught my eye: "Breast cancer recovery is a delicate time, a time to be respected for the hard-won healing that is taking place, as well as the physical and emotional complexities that may arise. Women recovering from breast cancer face many challenges, not only in getting their strength and energy back, but in many cases, strengthening their self-confidence."

Finally, someone who understands the affects of breast cancer - physically and mentally!

She goes on to explain several different things that exercise will help... "Women in recovery are often fighting stress and fatigue. Increasing energy levels and reducing stress, then, are very important." "Regaining strength and range of motion in the chest, shoulders, back and arms will help a woman care for herself and resume her normal life." "Moving muscle also moves lymph fluids. This helps keep lymph from building up and possibly causing Lymphedema."

Here is an explanation about the reason Pilates is so good for survivors:

"A woman starting out after a break from exercise, and possibly after difficult treatments, will find that with Pilates, she can still work from her core and build strength and flexibility. Some will appreciate that many Pilates exercises are done lying down, reducing the risk of a fall or overexertion. Pilates also helps deepen the body/mind connection, something many recovering women are ready to explore. Centering, concentration, control, precision, breath and flow — these Pilates principles, the foundations of Pilates movement, provide integrative links between body and mind."

Finally, Naomi Aaronson, shares some Pilates exercises that survivors should try...

1. Deep breathing, a fundamental part of Pilates exercise, tops the list of exercise for women in recovery. It is enlivening, stress-reducing, and it works the core muscles.

2. Simple exercises that strengthen the abdominal muscles and back help support good posture, which translates to more stability and freedom in everyday movement. Plus, being able to maintain good posture goes a long way toward helping women feel more self-assured.

3. Light stretches done with good alignment (a Pilates prerequisite for everything) help women regain full range of motion through the chest and arm.

The end of the article shares some good exercise tips:

-- If lymphedema is present, one should consult with a certified lymphedema therapist.

-- Women who have had lumpectomies or mastectomies will probably be most comfortable exercising in a sports bra or camisole.

-- Plan to build an exercise program slowly, in stages.

-- Know that there may be some discomfort, and that can be a little scary. Work with your therapist/instructor to make sure you are safe and as comfortable as possible.

-- Exercise may elicit some emotions. That is OK.

-- Sometimes the chest area will feel very different from how it used to feel, and it can take time to get used to that. There may even be some loss of feeling.

-- In Pilates, we don't do a lot of repetitions; we go for quality. That may be a good motto for any exercise a woman in recovery chooses to do, especially at first.

Ms. Ogle ends the article with these wonderful words, that I find very comforting...

"It has been my experience that exercise is a wonderful path to healing."

(If you'd like to read the full article, find it HERE.)

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