Get started with level 2 exercises after completing the level 1 moves, or when your doctor or physiotherapist says it’s okay. These simple movements help you to regain strength and flexibility.
Learn how to do the:
You can start these exercises 7 days after surgery, and after any drains have been removed.
Arm stretch
- Clasp your hands together in front of your chest, elbows by your side.
- Stretch your arms out in front as far as you can, aiming for straight elbows.
- Pull shoulder blades together as hands go back to the start.
Elbows together
This exercise is best done lying down.
- Put your hands together behind your head, with your elbows out to the side.
- Bring your elbows together in front of you, keeping hands clasped together behind your head.
- Gently return elbows back to the side. Keep hands together and move on to Elbow push back exercise.
Elbow push back
This exercise is best done lying down.
- Clasp your hands together behind your head, with elbows out to the side.
- Gently stretch elbows backwards, pushing them gently downwards into the bed or floor and hold for up to 10 seconds.
- Relax muscles completely and rest before repeating.
Arm lift
If you can’t lie down, sit and lean back into the chair instead.
- Lie down – with a pillow under your head if you like. Hold a stick, broom handle or ruler or just clasp hands together.
- Relax your shoulders and avoid shrugging them towards your ears.
- With straight arms, gently lift them to above your head – only as far as feels comfortable.
- Gently return your arms back down to your hips and the starting position.
Wall crawl
This exercise should be done standing up.
- Stand facing a wall with feet shoulder-width apart. Move close to the wall (about 20 cm away). Put your hands flat onto the wall at about shoulder height, with fingers pointing up.
- Use your fingers to walk up the wall (like a spider), or keep your hands flat and slide them upwards. Use your “good” arm to help move your surgery arm if you need to.
- Go as high as feels comfortable – so you feel a stretch, but no pain. Try to hold for 10 seconds.
- Gently slide or walk your hands back down to shoulder height and where you started.
→ READ MORE: Support and information
Key resource
Download a PDF booklet on this topic.
More resources
This information has been developed by Cancer Council NSW using information from the Cancer Council Australia Understanding Cancer series and Cancer Council SA Breast cancer surgery: Information for women having breast cancer surgery as source material.
We thank the reviewers of this fact sheet: Jen McKenzie, Lymphoedema Physiotherapist, ESSA Accredited Exercise Physiologist, Director at The McKenzie Clinic, QLD; Sharon Dreise, Consumer; Prof Elisabeth Elder, Specialist Breast Surgeon, Westmead Breast Cancer Institute, University of Sydney, NSW; Eliza Macdonald, Accredited Exercise Physiologist, Sydney Cancer Survivorship Centre, Concord Repatriation General Hospital, NSW; Annmaree Mitchell, Consumer; Chris Rivett, 13 11 20 Consultant, Cancer Council SA.
View the Cancer Council NSW editorial policy.
