I have a Pilates DVD which I did this morning as I thought it would give me some exercise and relaxation and it would be a bit more than just doing the few exercises that were given to me by the Physiotherapist. I have just read that Yoga and Tai Chi may not be suitable for someone who has had their lymph nodes removed because of some arm and shoulder stretches. I have had all my lymph nodes removed on the left side and would like to know if doing the Pilates is OK if I avoid stretching the left arm too much. I also used to do Yoga and wondered about your advice for this.
Please feel free to call our helpline team which includes specialist breast care nurses for further advice abut this, the number is 0808 800 6000 and is open monday-friday 9am-5pm and saturday 9am-2pm.
Hi medsec, I’ve found it very difficult to get any real advice about the safety of yoga for people who have had extensive breast surgery. I had mastectomy,reconstruction and node clearance on my left side. I asked GP, BCNurse, BC Surgeon, local Maggie’s Centre, my yoga teacher and have trawled loads of related websites for information and the consensus seems to be that most of the poses are ok but to be mindful of your body. Although nobody actually says that it is 100% safe. If it makes any difference, I’ve been practising yoga for the last 3 years, been managing most of the asanas (badly!), including the inverted poses like shoulder balance and head balance which I was nervous of at first but have had no ill effects. I find the shoulder stretches particularly beneficial in keeping the full range of arm movement. If I didn’t do yoga I think I’d suffer more from the Arimidex aches! Best to go to a class with a good teacher maybe.
The only time I suffer from a wee bit of swelling in my hand and wrist is if I’ve been doing heavy gardening, using my fingers a lot.
I did actually phone the Nurse for advice from this site as advised by the Moderator and she was very helpful indeed. I told her that I had only done the warm up and short programme from the Pilates DVD and she said that it seems like I am being sensible and gentle exercises such as this and Yoga should not do me any harm. I don’t think I will be doing anything too energetic even if I restart a Yoga class and I will probably wait until I’ve had my radiotherapy and have finished my treatment.