SATURDAY STRENGTH: ACS Exercises After Breast Surgery

Most women who have breast cancer have some kind of surgery. Recovery from surgeries can be tough, but there are exercises that are necessary to help decrease side effects and get back to your normal activities. The American Cancer Society has an information page that can help. It talks about different kinds of surgeries, exercises that can help, the week after surgery rules, and other important things. Here is the link: ACS Exercises After Breast Surgery

One of my favorite exercises that is shown on this site - one that does a good job of stretching your chest and shoulders - is the Chest Wall Stretch. Here is the basic information for this exercise:

This exercise helps stretch your chest.

• Stand facing a corner with your toes about 8 to 10 inches from the corner.
• Bend your elbows and put your forearms on the wall, one on each side of the corner. Your elbows should be as close to shoulder height as possible.
• Keep your arms and feet in place and move your chest toward the corner. You will feel a stretch across your chest and shoulders.
• Return to the starting position and repeat 5 to 7 times.