Exercises to Help Breast Cancer Patients Regain Strength & Movement Post-Treatment

Patients who undergo surgery or radiation after breast cancer may have issues that involve scar tissue and tightness of the chest and upper back muscles.

Below are stretches and exercises from the Straub Benioff Medical Center Physical and Rehabilitation Therapy team to help women regain movement, reduce stiffness and improve strength.

These exercises are designed to be gentle and should be performed slowly and carefully. They are ordered starting with the easiest and progress in difficulty/complexity.

While these stretches are a good complement to breast cancer treatment, they can be useful to anyone who wants to improve their posture or increase functional mobility in their neck, shoulders and upper back.

If you experience pain or discomfort beyond mild stretching sensations, stop immediately and consult your health care provider.

Getting Started: When to Begin

Before starting any rehabilitation exercises, consult your doctor or physical therapist to ensure that you're ready. In many cases, light exercises can begin soon after surgery, but it is extremely important to proceed gradually and listen to your body.

1. Deep Breathing

Purpose: Promotes relaxation and improves lung function after surgery or radiation.

Sit or lie in a comfortable position.
Place one hand on your abdomen and the other on your chest.
Take a slow, deep breath through your nose, allowing your abdomen to rise.
Exhale slowly through pursed lips, feeling your abdomen fall.
Repeat 5-10 times, several times a day.

Cat Chang practices the Deep Breathing exercise.

2. Shoulder Blade Squeezes

Purpose: Reduces chest tightness and improves posture.

Sit or stand with your back straight and arms relaxed by your sides.
Gently bring your shoulder blades together, toward your spine.
Hold for 5-10 seconds, then relax.
Repeat 5-10 times.

Cat Chang shows how to properly perform Should Blade Squeezes.

3. Shoulder Rolls

Purpose: Reduces stiffness and improves shoulder mobility.

Sit or stand with your arms relaxed by your sides.
Slowly roll your shoulders forward, up, back and down in a circular motion.
Perform 10 rolls in one direction, then reverse.

Cat Chang performs the Shoulder Rolls sequence.

4. Wall Climbing

Purpose: Gradually increases shoulder range of motion.

Stand facing a wall and place your fingers on it at waist level.
Walk your fingers up the wall as high as possible without straining.
Hold for a few seconds, then slowly walk your fingers back down.
Repeat 5-10 times.

Cat Chang demonstrates Wall Climbing.

5. Chest Stretch on Your Back

Purpose: Opens the chest and relieves tension in the chest muscles.

Lie on your back with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor.
Place your hands behind or on top of your head.
Allow your elbows to gently fall toward the floor as far as is comfortable, feeling a stretch across your chest.
Hold for 15-30 seconds, breathing deeply.
Repeat 2-3 times.

Cat Chang demonstrates Chest Stretch on Your Back.

6. Wand Exercise

Purpose: Improves range of motion in the shoulders.

Lie on your back and hold a stick, such as a broom handle, with both hands.
Slowly lift the stick over your head as far as comfort allows.
Hold for a few seconds and return to the starting position.
Repeat 5-10 times.

Cat Chang goes through the Wand Exercise sequence.

7. Chest Stretch at Doorway

Purpose: Relieves tightness in the chest area.

Stand in a doorway with your arms at shoulder height, elbows bent and hands resting on the doorframe.
Step forward gently with one foot, feeling a stretch across your chest.
Hold for 15-30 seconds and return to the starting position.
Repeat 2-3 times.

Cat Chang demonstrates Chest Stretch at Doorway.

Published on: February 6, 2025