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25.5.2023
This blog is about the role that Yoga Therapy played in my recovery from breast cancer treatment.
Some small calcifications were discovered in my left breast after a routine mammogram in April 2022. After several biopsies a condition called Ductal Carcinoma In Situ (DCIS) was confirmed. This is an early stage of breast cancer that is not yet invasive but has the potential to become more serious over time. I was advised to have surgery to remove the area of tissue that contained the affected cells and then to have a precautionary course of radiotherapy.
As an experienced Yoga Therapist, I support clients through injuries, health issues and illness. However, an important part of our training is to recognise when we need help ourselves. I was trained by Susi Hately and once the diagnosis was confirmed I asked her for advice. She immediately offered to help, and I worked with Susi throughout my treatment and recovery.
Our sessions started a few weeks before my operation. The biopsies had left me sore and bruised and I had to restrict the range of movement in my left shoulder to allow the damaged breast tissue to heal enough for surgery.
Relaxation and rest are important at this stage, but are not so easy when you are facing surgery and are going through an unsettling time. In those first few sessions, Susi helped me to find a way to relax and guided me through gentle movement and breath work that would help me prepare for the operation and beyond.
The surgery was successful, and apart from the normal exhaustion after a general anaesthetic, I felt surprisingly well. I am sure that the work I did with Susi before the operation helped me to cope with the surgery and the immediate recovery period.
Breast tissue is very delicate. To get the best possible result after surgery I was advised to avoid lifting my arm above my head for 6 weeks, to keep the breast well supported, and to avoid impact and strain. Instructions like this can leave you feeling like you shouldn’t do anything, but the body needs to move to keep healthy. If you are restricting movement in one area of the body, there will be compensations and discomfort elsewhere that will need to be addressed. I was also concerned about developing frozen shoulder in this period.
My sessions with Susi included work with the breath, maintaining mobility in the shoulder with small movements that gradually increased as I healed, and a focus on rest and relaxation. It was a whole-body approach that helped me recover from surgery and rebuild connection through my body.
After my recovery from the surgery, we prepared for the radiotherapy sessions. The treatment required me to lie still on a bed with my arms over my head and I had to be able to inhale and hold my breath while the machine passed over me. This is challenging at any time and especially after breast cancer surgery. I prepared for the radiotherapy sessions by improving mobility in my shoulder joint and the surrounding area. One way I helped to improve my lung capacity was with a breathing exercise with a theraband tied around my ribcage. This encourages more expansive breaths and improves awareness and stamina.
I used a range of relaxation techniques during the radiotherapy sessions and afterwards. One of the side effects of radiotherapy is fatigue that builds up over the course of treatment. It is important to find a way to relax and let the body process the treatment.
Once the radiotherapy was completed, my consultant gave me the all-clear to gradually get back to normal activities. My sessions with Susi supported my recovery in the following ways:
Recovery is different for everyone. It can depend on the lifestyle and pre-existing conditions you’ve had before treatment and on your unique experience through treatment. Working with someone who can help you tailor the process to your individual requirements is hugely beneficial. I started working with Susi before my operation and we worked together through surgery, radiotherapy, recovery, and rebuilding. We then moved on to improving stability, strength, and function. The process has made me stronger physically and emotionally and I have experienced the gentle power of Yoga Therapy and its role in my own recovery.
If you would like to get in touch to have a chat about yoga therapy, my experience of breast cancer treatment, or to find out more about working with me, please find my details below:
Instagram: @helenpomyoga
I was a guest on Susi’s Podcast “From Pain to Possibility” and the link is below:
https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/from-pain-to-possibility/id1520141067?i=1000610826487
Susi offers a wide range of courses, trainings, and private sessions. Susi's website is www.functionalsynergy.com
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