Post Breast Surgery Exercises

Breast surgery can limit your arm motion and strength. Exercising safely will help you to regain your previous range of motion and use of your arm. Be sure to ask your doctor how soon after surgery you may start exercising and for any special instructions.

Choose an exercise to help get on the road to recovery.

Ball Squeeze

• Stand or sit comfortably.
• Hold a soft rubber ball in the hand on your operated side.
• With your elbow slightly bent and your palm toward the ceiling, lift your hand higher than your heart.
• Squeeze and relax your hand ten times, twice a day.
• Gradually increase the number of times you do the exercise each day.

Front Arm Raise

• Stand or sit comfortably.
• Relax your arms and allow them to hang at your sides.
• Keeping your palms down, slowly raise your arms in front of you, taking two counts to reach shoulder level.
• Slowly lower your arms back down to your sides in two counts.
• Repeat this exercise 8 to 10 times, three times a day.

Hand Clap

• Stand or sit comfortably.
• Relax your arms and allow them to hang at your sides.
• Slowly raise your arms out to the sides, until they are at shoulder level.
• Continue to raise both arms, trying to clap your hands overhead.
• Slowly lower your arms, taking 4 counts to return your arms to your sides.
• Repeat this exercise 8 to 10 times, three times a day.

Wall Walking

• Stand with one side of your body facing a wall and your feet about 6 inches away from it.
• Starting with your hand at eye level, walk your finger up the wall as high as you can. Hold the stretch for 10 seconds and then walk your fingers back down.
• Repeat the exercise with your other arm.
• Repeat this exercise 8 to 10 times, twice a day.

Shoulder Squeeze

• Standing, bend your elbows and bring your arms up in front of you to shoulder level.
• With one arm stacked on top of the other, align your fingertips with your elbows.
• Next, push your elbows back, squeezing your shoulders together.
• Hold for 12 seconds.
• Repeat this exercise 8 to 10 times, twice a day.

Arm Stretch

• Standing, grasp a pole or rod in front of you with both hands. Try a golf club or broomstick.
• Place the hand on your operated side over the end.
• Gently, use the strength of your good arm to push the end of the stick as high as you comfortably can.
• Hold for 12 seconds.
• Repeat this exercise 6 to 8 times, twice a day.
• Slowly raise your arms out to the sides, until they are at shoulder level.