About Breast Health Patient Education

Exercises

Carefully planned exercises should begin as soon as your physician says you are ready, often within a day or so after surgery. Exercising should begin slowly and gently and can even be done in bed. Gradually, exercising can be more active, and regular exercise can become part of your normal routine.

Exercises After Axillary Node Dissection (With Drains)

General Guidelines

• Begin these exercises immediately after your surgery. These gentle exercises should be done while your drains are still in position. These exercises will help to keep your muscles strong and encourage circulation to improve the healing of your wound.
• You may feel tightness in your chest and armpit after surgery. This is normal, and the tightness will decrease as you continue your progressive exercise program.
• You may experience some soreness or numbness on the back of your arm and/or chest wall. This is normal, and you should continue to do these exercises until the drains are removed.
• If you notice unusual swelling, redness, or tenderness, contact your surgeon.

1. Lie with your affected arm straight, the palm of your hand facing forward.
2. Bend your elbow.
3. Straighten the elbow to a fully extended position.
4. Do five repetitions, three times per day.

1. Lie on your back with your shoulders relaxed.
2. Slowly rotate your shoulders backward.
3. Repeat, rotating shoulders forward.
4. Do five repetitions, three times per day.

1. Lie on your back with your arms at your sides.
2. Squeeze shoulder blades together.
3. Hold for five seconds.
4. Do five repetitions, three times per day.

1. Lie on your back with your upper arms close to your sides and your elbows at right angles.
2. Turn your forearms outward, bringing the backs of your hands toward the bed.
3. Turn forearms inward, bring the palms of your hands toward your stomach.
4. Do five repetitions, three times per day.

1. Lie on your back with your upper arm close to your side and your elbow at a right angle.
2. Push your elbow back against the bed.
3. Do five repetitions, three times per day.

1. Stand sideways against a wall with your upper arm close to your side and your elbow at a right angle.
2. Push your arm to the side against the wall and then pull it tight against your side.
3. Do five repetitions, three times per day.

Exercises After Axillary Node Dissection (Without Drains)

General Guidelines

• Begin these exercises either immediately after your surgery if you do not have drains or as soon as your drains are removed.
• These exercises are designed to improve your range of motion and the strength of your shoulder and arm.
• You will feel some tightness in your chest and armpit after surgery. This is normal, and the tightness will decrease as you continue with your exercise program.
• Many women experience a burning, tingling, or soreness on the back of the arm and/or chest wall. This occurs because the surgery irritated nerve endings. Although the sensations may increase a few weeks after surgery, continue to do the exercises, unless you notice unusual swelling or tenderness.
• You should do the exercises so you feel a slow stretch. Do not bounce or jerk your arm when doing any of the exercises.
• Continue doing these exercises until you have achieved full shoulder range of motion, which should occur about two months after surgery.
• If you continue to have limited range of motion or difficulty resuming normal activities, such as dressing or bathing, ask your physician for specific instructions or for a referral to a physical or occupational therapist.

1. Lie on your back with your shoulders relaxed.
2. Slowly rotate your shoulders backward.
3. Repeat, rotating your shoulders forward.
4. Do five repetitions, three times per day.

1. Lie on your back with your arms at your sides.
2. Squeeze shoulder blades together.
3. Hold for five seconds.
4. Do five repetitions, three times per day.

1. Lie on your back and grasp your affected elbow with your other hand.
2. Pull the elbow and arm across your chest so you feel a stretch.
3. Hold for five seconds.
4. Do five repetitions, three times per day.

1. Lie on your back.
2. Raise your affected arm up overhead as far as you can. Lead with your thumb and keep your elbow straight.
3. Hold for five seconds and slowly lower your arm.
4. Do five repetitions, three times per day.

1. Lie on your back with your hands behind your neck and your elbows pointing toward the ceiling.
2. Move your elbows apart and down to touch the bed.
3. Do five repetitions, three times per day.

1. Roll up a small towel so that it makes a firm roll 2-3 inches thick.
2. Lie on your back with the towel aligned between your shoulder blades .
3. Stay in this position for five minutes.
4. Do three times per day.

1. Standing, reach behind your back with your affected arm.
2. Grasp your affected arm with your other hand.
3. Try to pull your arm upward as shown so that you feel a gently stretch in your shoulder.
4. Hold for five seconds.
5. Do five repetitions, three times per day.

1. Stand in a corner about 1-2 feet from the wall with your hands on the wall as shown.
2. Lean into the corner so that you feel a stretch in your affected shoulder and the front of your chest.
3. Vary the stretch by moving your arms higher or lower or by standing farther away from the wall.
4. Hold for 30 seconds.
5. Do five repetitions, three times per day.