More Exercises for Breast Cancer Patients and Thrivers to Help with Cording
Cording is a common side effect of breast cancer treatment. Cording happens when the lymph nodes under your arm are removed or treated with radiation. This can cause your arms to feel heavy and tight and make it hard to move them. Cording can also cause pain and swelling. Some people have cording all the time, while others only have it sometimes. There are many things you can do to help reduce cording, including special exercises.
Cording can make it hard to do your normal activities, such as reaching up to get something off a high shelf or brushing your hair. The good news is that there are exercises you can do to help reduce cording. These exercises will help stretch and lengthen the tissues in your armpit area. They may also help reduce pain and improve your range of motion.
Before you start any exercise program, be sure to talk to your doctor. Once you get the green light from your doctor or physical therapist, give these exercises a try:
Pendulum stretches: Start by standing up straight with your feet shoulder-width apart. Let your affected arm hang down at your side. Use your other hand to hold on to a sturdy chair or countertop for balance. Slowly swing your arm in a small circle. As you become more comfortable, make the circles bigger. Do this for 2-3 minutes, then switch sides and repeat with your other arm.
Doorway stretches: Start by standing in a doorway with both arms raised above your head, holding onto each side of the door frame. Step forward with one foot so that you feel a stretch in the chest and front of the shoulder on the opposite side. Hold this position for 30 seconds, then switch sides and repeat on the other side.
Shoulder rolls: Start by sitting up tall with both shoulders relaxed down away from your ears. Slowly roll both shoulders backward ten times, then roll them forward ten times. Repeat this several times throughout the day as needed.
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