This exercise guide will help you regain your
hand movements and reduce any swelling that
you may have after your breast surgery.
The following exercises will help you regain your
normal shoulder and arm movement, decrease
any side effects of the surgery and help you to
get back to your normal daily activities.
These exercises should generally start as soon
as you are able to after your surgery whilst you
are you in hospital. It is important to check with
your doctor or nurse before you begin these
exercises. Exercise on a daily basis but do not
over do them. You may experience some
discomfort at first but gradually you will
overcome them.
Helpful exercise guidelines
 Exercise daily at regular intervals, little
but often
 Exercise slowly and gradually increase
your movements
 Breathe during exercise
 If you have any pain, do not exercise and
inform your doctor
 If your arm is swollen after exercise
contact your doctor
 If pain occurs during exercises, stop,
relax your shoulders, take some deep
breaths and continue with the exercises
How should I look take care of my arm?
After surgery it may take up to 3 months to get
full movement and strength in your arm.
Some women after their breast surgery may
experience swelling in their arm. This condition
is called lymphodema. It is more likely to occur in
women who have had their lymph glands
removed or have had radiotherapy after surgery.
Signs and symptoms of lymphodema of the
arms




Feeling of fullness, tightness, puffiness,
heaviness and weakness
Decreased flexibility of movement
Problems fitting your arm into your
sleeve
Pain, aching, redness or the affected
arm feeling warm
It is important to use your arm as normally as
possible. Some Do’s and Don’ts after surgery:
 Do not lift or carry any heavy items after
surgery.
 Introduce activities like driving, hanging
washing or vacuuming gradually in your
routine.
 Raise your arm on the pillow when
relaxing or at night in bed
 Wear gloves when gardening, or using
harsh detergents.
 Electric razors should be used for
shaving.
 Offer your other arm for all injections,
taking blood pressure or any blood
transfusions.
If you have any other problems or need further
advice contacts Breast Care Nurse Specialist.
Produced: Breast team
Reviewed: May 2014
Next Review date: May 2016
Further Website information
http://www2.breastcancercare.org.uk/exercises
http://www.macmillan.org.uk/Home.aspx
http://www.amoena.us/exercise
Homerton University Hospital
NHS Foundation Trust
Homerton Row, London E9 6SR
T
020 8510 5555
W
www.homerton.nhs.uk
E
enquiries@homerton.nhs.uk
Helpful Exercises
after Breast
Surgery
Breast Department
Reviewed: May 2014
Next Review: May 2016
Incorporating hospital and community health
services, teaching and research
Hand Squeezing and Relaxing
Take a small rubber ball or similar object in the
palm of your hand squeeze gently and relax. The
ball should not be too firm or too soft.
Wall climbing
Shoulder Rolls
Sit or stand, looking forward with neck straight,
shoulders relaxed, elbows slightly bent, and spine
held as straight as possible. Circle both shoulders
forward slowly, deliberately trying to draw big
circles, feeling movement in the chest and shoulder
blades. Remember to breathe as you circle. This
exercise helps increase the mobility of the shoulder
blade.
Bra Fastening
Imitate the movements used to fasten a bra at
back. Slowly bend the arms from the elbows,
bringing the hands closer to the body to join behind
the back. Raise the hands and repeat.
Arm Circling
Hair Brushing
Rest the elbow on a firm surface such as the
bedside table. Keep the head and shoulder upright
and start brushing on one side only. Gradually
increase to cover the whole head.
Stand close to and facing a wall, with the feet apart
for balance. Place hands flat against the wall close
to shoulder level and gradually walk the fingers up
the wall. Slowly, bring the hands back to shoulder
level and repeat. Sometimes it may be hard to
reach the previous day’s mark – don’t be
discouraged, simply try again later in the day.
Towelling
Hold a towel stretched diagonally along the back,
one hand at shoulder level and the other at hip
level. Imitate a back drying motion, moving the
hand from shoulder to head and lower. Change
hands and repeat in reverse so that the other arm is
higher. The towel should be long enough to fully
straighten one arm.
Rest the unaffected arm on a firm surface such as
back of a chair and rest forehead on that arm. Allow
your affected arm to hang loosely and swing from
shoulder backwards and forwards, then side to
side, and then in small circles. Gradually increase
the size of the circles as the arm becomes more
relaxed.