exercises using a exercise band for breast cancer recovery

It would depend on what type of treatment she received: complete mastectomy, reconstruction, chemotherapy, internal radiation, external radiation, removal of tumor and lymph nodes, point of entry, etc.

I say that only because you need to know which muscles may have been involved throughout treatment and scar tissue to know if there are exercises that may need to be avoided. A referral from the physician or oncologist can help you gain additional insight if any exercises or muscle groups may need to be avoided for the short term.

Hello Nancy Finkle,

Is the client cleared for exercise with no restrictions?

You will want to stay away from resistance bands for now, since they provide varying resistance which may make the client strain through a portion of the movement. It is also harder to track/log progress with rubber since it ages and wears away.
Have you gotten clearance and recommendations from the physical therapists or doctors? I am not trained to do rehab, I only work with the healthy client when they are finished with rehab. The doctors will be able to inform you of what to be careful of with this client.
With that said, you want to be careful of arm and shoulder complications and the risk of bone fractures. Start with very light weight dumbbells or machines with very light resistance…from ACSM Guidelines.

www.cancer.org and www.acsm.org have information you may like to check out.

Good luck to the client with the recovery.
Take care,
Natalie
NAPS 2 B Fit