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How can yoga help breast cancer patients?

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Topics (Tags):

Breast Cancer Breathing Exercise Fitness Yoga

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Breast Cancer X Breathing X Exercise X Fitness X Yoga X

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Answers (7)

DrAttai (Physician - Surgery - Breast (Verified) ) - 07 / 11 / 2011

Yoga has been around for thousands of years, yet we are still gathering data regarding the effectiveness for breast cancer patients, and indeed for all patients (we're all patients on some level - so this means for everyone!). Here is a research study conducted at the MD Anderson Cancer Center in Texas, which demonstrated how yoga impacted physical and mental parameters to improve the quality of life in breast cancer patients:
http://fyiliving.com/research/benefits-of-yoga-for-breast-cancer-patients-undergoing-radiotherapy/

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member2787 (Survivor (2 - 5 years)) - 07 / 12 / 2011

I have found that simple stretching and breathing can quickly relieve stress, sore muscles and surgical pain. I have used yoga type techniques to reduce post surgical nerve pain after mastectomy helping me to regain range of motion.

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DebbieWWGN (Survivor (2 - 5 years)) - 07 / 13 / 2011

I started doing yoga after my mastectomy and TRAM flap reconstruction surgery. To this day, and my surgery was over two years ago, I still have tightness and pain in my abdomen caused by the TRAM. In fact, it can be painful just to wear a waistband some days. I have found yoga, specifically the cat/cow, cobra and other stretching poses, to have great benefit. Stretching out that area of my body on a daily basis decreases the level of pain, and is good for my mood too!

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member4898 (other) - 07 / 15 / 2011

As a restorative yoga teacher and yoga therapist that teaches Breast Cancer Yoga for women in recovery I have witnessed some amazing changes. There is a visiable decrease in fatigue, an increase in energy, in ROM for arms, shoulders and chest, development of a positive attitude and an overall increase in quality of life. I have worked with women who suffer from Lymphedema and using slow gentle yoga movements have offered significant relief. Also I have seen the increase in movements with the arms. Big.

Dr. Attai is right on the mark in regards to research studies looking at the tangible benefits of yoga and breast cancer. Dr. Lorenzo Cohen was awarded 4.5 million to do the study specifically. The Yoga Community is now recognizing the need to have yoga instructors develop more experience working with certain groups in a therapeutic format. Yoga can be a great extension to PT.

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member8953 (Survivor (5 - 10 years)) - 07 / 16 / 2011

Yoga is one of the things I have avoided by using my bad knee as an excuse, I can't kneel.

After going to a program where it was demonstrated, I have begun chair yoga. I have a lot of practicing to do, but, I think it will benefit me in many ways.

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member682 (Survivor (2 - 5 years)) - 07 / 17 / 2011

Yoga has been one of the primary, and most important, aspects of my transition from patient to survivor. Yoga is a breathing practice, and as such, heals the mind, body, and spirit. It has made me stronger and more flexible physically, but it has also deepened my spiritual and emotional connection to my healing. I am not just healing from my breast cancer, but also from the lifelong experiences and issues that helped to create an environment in my body that was a host to the cancer. Yoga helps to cleanse the body of these emotional toxins held by the body and create a new environment unwelcoming to the cancer and its recurrence. I recommend it to all patients and survivors. And the great thing is that it is a practice that accommodates all body types, all levels, and everyone who can breathe!

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AZBodyMindCounseling (Professional Therapist (Verified) ) - 07 / 11 / 2011

As a behavioral health provider, I recommend yoga to anyone for many reasons.

1. It's physical activity that can be modified to fit any person's ability and fitness level. It's a way to get moving and to improve wellness. Just recently it was announced in a research study that being sedentary is even more detrimental than we thought. Thirty minutes a day does not appear to be enough if we sit for 8 or more hours a day at a job or at home. Getting moving often means weight loss and improved muscle tone which often translates into improved body image as those results are reflected visually. Improved energy level is also a result of increased activity, counter-intuitive as that seems! The less energy we use, the less we have as the body's metabolism ramps down to meet expected demands, and vice versa.

2. Yoga involves breath work. Many of us exhibit poor posture and develop poor breathing habits. We basically do not exhange enough air to be fully oxygenated. This puts stress on the body and means the body may not work at optimum level to repair itself. Specific yogic breathing techniques are good for reducing anxiety and preventing or managing panic attacks.

3. Yoga stretches muscles, providing even more stress reduction and relaxation effect. One of the greatest complications of aging is in the loss of flexibility and balance. Consistent yoga practice can actually elongate muscles and improve balance and stamina.

4. Yoga is a mental discipline. Mastering your focus on breathing, proper body alignment and holding poses will benefit you in other areas of your life that require mental focus on discipline. It's an important transferrable skill that can potentially benefit you any time. Developing mental discipline is often extremely important in pain management.

As a behavioral health provider, I recommend yoga to anyone for many reasons.

1. It's physical activity that can be modified to fit any person's ability and fitness level. It's a way to get moving and to improve wellness. Just recently it was announced in a research study that being sedentary is even more detrimental than we thought. Thirty minutes a day does not appear to be enough if we sit for 8 or more hours a day at a job or at home. Getting moving often means weight loss and improved muscle tone which often translates into improved body image as those results are reflected visually. Improved energy level is also a result of increased activity, counter-intuitive as that seems! The less energy we use, the less we have as the body's metabolism ramps down to meet expected demands, and vice versa.

2. Yoga involves breath work. Many of us exhibit poor posture and develop poor breathing habits. We basically do not exhange enough air to be fully oxygenated. This puts stress on the body and means the body may not work at optimum level to repair itself. Specific yogic breathing techniques are good for reducing anxiety and preventing or managing panic attacks.

3. Yoga stretches muscles, providing even more stress reduction and relaxation effect. One of the greatest complications of aging is in the loss of flexibility and balance. Consistent yoga practice can actually elongate muscles and improve balance and stamina.

4. Yoga is a mental discipline. Mastering your focus on breathing, proper body alignment and holding poses will benefit you in other areas of your life that require mental focus on discipline. It's an important transferrable skill that can potentially benefit you any time.  Developing mental discipline is often extremely important in pain management.

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Latest Activity: 09 / 27 / 2011
Views: 1063
Followed By: 9 members