Why a Focus on Breast Cancer Rehabilitation?

Aside from my personal experience with it, the answer is simple: quality of life. Beyond the emotional and mental toll of dealing with a serious health issue, you’re also facing the physical impact of surgery. Many people don’t realize how crucial our core (abdominals) and the pectoral muscles are to our everyday movements – starting with getting out of bed during recovery all the way through doing the things you love weeks after surgery. Regaining as much of your range of motion as possible is vital. If rehabilitation is delayed for too long, full recovery becomes much harder, if not impossible. Why does regaining your range of motion matter? Because our bodies are designed to move in certain ways. Many of these activities may seem effortless, but when you lose some range of motion or strength in your pectoral muscles, they can become unexpectedly challenging. We often take the use of our pectoral muscles for granted, but they play a key role in many daily activities. Here are a few examples:

Reaching overhead:

Whether it’s grabbing something from a shelf, hanging up a coat, or putting on a shirt, reaching above your head involves the pectoral muscles.

Hugging:

Embracing someone requires chest muscle strength, as you naturally extend and bring your arms together. And we all need hugs!

Pushing and pulling:

Everyday actions like pushing open a door, pushing a stroller, or pulling yourself up from a seated position all rely on pectoral strength.

Reaching for your seatbelt and driving:

Reaching across your body to grab the seatbelt while driving requires chest muscles to extend and stabilize your arm. Steering, shifting gears, and using the car’s controls involve movements that engage the chest muscles, especially when turning or maneuvering the car.

Everyday life, hobbies and work:

Personal routines, recreational activities, and professional responsibilities can be affected. For instance, individuals may experience reduced range of motion, which can adversely affect one’s abilities in treasured hobbies such as swimming or golfing.

Lifting, carrying or holding Items:

Picking up groceries, carrying bags, or lifting furniture all require strong pectoral muscles, especially when you use your arms to push or pull. Whether you’re holding a child, carrying a bag, or even holding a phone to your ear, your pectorals are engaged in keeping your arms positioned and stabilized.