How to exercise after chemotherapy for breast cancer

Chemotherapy is one of the main methods for treating malignant tumors. This method combines radiotherapy, surgical treatment, immunotherapy, traditional Chinese medicine treatment, etc., so that many tumors that were originally incurable have hope of being cured. But how should you exercise after chemotherapy for breast cancer?

(1) Simple and easy upper limb functional exercises

① Local massage: Use the opposite palm to gently press the upper, lower, left, and right sides of the surgical scar, push the skin for massage, so as to promote local blood circulation and relax the tense skin;

② Shoulder exercise: Let the upper limbs hang naturally, and move them forward, backward, left and right with the shoulder as the center. Gradually increase the degree of activity and amount of exercise until no local pain occurs.

③ Abduction exercise: Make fists with both hands, and do horizontal abduction exercise with both upper limbs outwards. Repeat several times, then cross the fingers of both hands, place them behind the head, and vibrate the elbows backwards to stretch the skin of the chest wall, and make it stretch and relax;

④ Touching height exercise: Stand facing the wall, try your best to touch a certain height of the wall with your hands, and make a mark. This can make the skin of the upper limbs become loose due to traction.

(2) Prevent upper limb edema and promote its disappearance

① Anti-infection (anti-inflammatory treatment): reduce or avoid axillary effusion and wound infection;

② Strengthen upper limb function exercises: promote lymph and blood return;

③Avoid the affected limb from sagging for too long: usually keep the affected limb elevated, and use a pillow to prop up the arm when sleeping;

④ For patients with severe swelling, you can use a bandage to compress the affected limb.