Exercises After Breast Surgery

With special attention to upper body movement, certified personal trainer/columnist and former aerobics instructor, Alice Saland, 58, in her effort to effect an exercise regimen to aid in her recovery from breast cancer surgery developed, “Alicethenics: Exercises to Increase Freedom of Movement After Breast Surgery” (30 minutes, $19.95), an encouraging workout for all women who are undergoing a similar ordeal of apprehension and fear of the unknown. The program concentrates on restoring flexibility to the upper areas of the body that have been affected by breast cancer treatment. The specialized, easy-to-follow regimen gradually eases muscle stiffness, renews lymphatic flow, and slowly and carefully reconditions the body and mind. The regimen ends with a short period of soothing meditation that helps strengthen the resolve of followers to continue working towards full recovery.

Recommended by Doctors, Cheryl Ewing, MD, Surgical Oncologist, and Rhonda Fleck, MD, Radiation Oncologist, as beneficial to the physical health and spiritual well-being of those undergoing a period of recuperation from surgery, the video provides a complete body workout, with emphasis on the tender areas of the upper body that require special care and treatment.

A portion of the proceeds from the sale of the video will be donated to cancer research. The video has been purchased by hospitals and breast cancer treatment centers nationwide, most notably the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in NYC.

*To order a video, contact: Leslie T. McClure (831) 647-0680 or visit www.alicethenics.com

Stephanie Oakes is a fitness correspondent for Discovery Health Channel, a contributing editor for USA Weekend Magazine and the LA Times, and appears on NBC's 'Today in New York'. She can be reached at soakes@beststuff.com.