Pilates for Pink!By Amy Dixon

People are often surprised at the vast clientele withdifferent conditions and issues we see at InnerStrength Pilates. We have many gentleman golfers

looking to shave a few points from their games, and eliteathletes, including an Olympian-in-training. We have pre-teen dancers and gymnasts, and an 84-year-old greatgrandma (who is quite spunky, I might add – I hope tohave half her energy at half her age!) We see expectantmothers who practice Pilates right up to their due datesand others actively receiving medical treatment (includingpost-operative clients just a few weeks out of mastectomiesor hip replacement surgery, as well as patients with MSand Parkinson’s disease). The clientele of Inner StrengthPilates is diverse!

As we approach October, Breast Cancer AwarenessMonth, we hope to shed light on a different therapy forthis diagnosis: Pilates to assist recovery. On the roadthrough the journey of breast cancer, there are manythings simply outside of one’s control. Appointments tovarious specialists, mammograms, ultrasounds, biopsies,and surgeons suddenly top your priority list. Taking thereins in other areas of your life and body that you cancontrol will help improve with the quality of your life.Rest, stress relief, a healthy diet and exercise are all crucialelements that you can control!

Create a team that will be available to you throughout thisseason. Health care professionals, specialized navigators, aphysical therapist, a Pilates team, a massage therapist, anda lymphedema therapist are all components that will assistthose dealing with the breast cancer journey. Enlist familyand friends to take part in exercise with you, or ask themto take items off your plate so that you don’t shoulder somany obligations.

Laying a strong foundation in any woman’s life isimportant, but it is especially important when in recoveryfrom cancer treatments and surgery. There are severalissues that are commonly associated with breast cancer.Inner Strength Pilates can help with several, including:

• Lymphedema relates specifically toaxillary lymph node dissection,axillary radiation or surgicalinfection (swelling of the arm). Theswelling occurs when the lymphchannels are altered and no longerable to properly drain lymph fluidfrom the arm back into the body’sgeneral circulation. While a hardworkout produces lymph andfurther edema, a gentle movementseries and breath work are greatlybeneficial so that the musclesmassage the lymphatic tissue andencourage it to drain.

• Breast cancer surgeries affect therotator cuff muscles, resulting infaulty shoulder girdle mechanics,poor posture, increased stiffness,pain, and decreased range ofmotion. A viscous cycle oftenoccurs, where the patient is fearfulof pain and swelling, so they guardthe arm, looking for a protectiveposture. It can become stiff fromdisuse, form scar tissue, leading tomore pain, and potentially, afrozen shoulder. Early stretchingand strengthening helps keep fluidsmoving, keeps scar tissue fromforming, and encourages positivemuscular patterning.

• Women who undergochemotherapy or take certainbreast cancer medications are oftenpushed into early menopause andpremature osteoporosis. With oneyear of chemotherapy, there is a5% loss of bone mass – the normalamount of bone loss across a 5-year period. Resistance exercise iscrucial to combat this loss. Furtherrepercussions of osteoporosisinclude: postural imbalances,decreased balance and an increasedrisk of falling, all of which lead toa higher chance of bone fractures.

Please visit our website to learnabout other aspects of breast cancerrecovery that can be helped by InnerStrength Pilates(InnerStrengthPilatesNC.com). Weoffer a multi-faceted program to helpwomen in their journey back tohealth.

The powerful environment in whichwe operate in our Pilates studio lendsitself to tremendous flexibility intreating our clients. The Pilatesequipment can provide clientsassistance with movement that maybe too fatiguing to execute on theirown. It is the combined experienceof breathing, core strengthening, and

controlled movement that Pilatesprovides that restores range ofmotion after surgery.

I have heard over the years howclients may step away from theirprogram only to find the pain andlimited movement return. Acontinued, consistent program ofmobilizing and strengthening thetissue is important. Pilates is anexcellent way for those affected tocontinue working towards, andmaintaining, a healthy,balanced body.

During October, Inner StrengthPilates will offer Breast CancerSurvivors free sessions throughoutthe month! Please check ourcalendar for these

PINK PILATES classes!

ISP will be hosting a specialafternoon dedicated to Winston’sSurvivors!

Pilates for PINK!!

October 4th from 5-7pm ~ floating

Benefitting

Learn how Pilates can help you gaincontrol again!

RSVP to us at 336.813.5320…space is limited!

PILATES BENEFITS FORBREAST CANCER SURVIVORS

• improves lymphatic drainage withproper breathing techniques

• improves shoulder girdlemechanics, specifically scapula-humeral rhythm, to aid in thebreakdown of scar tissue andprevent frozen shoulder

• restores overall range of motion,flexibility, strength and endurance

• restores upright postural alignmentand balance

• increases strength of local andglobal stabilizing muscles

• enhances core strength andendurance

• improves overall kinestheticawareness

• re-establishes proper muscularfiring patterns

• reduces both physiological andemotional stress

• improves appearance• increases self-confidence and

overall well-being

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