The Pink Ribbon Program

Recently, breast cancer survivors have benefited from Pilates. Survivors face many physical challenges after undergoing breast cancer surgery and treatment, which are often compounded by the emotional stress that result from living with a serious illness.

Pilates provides an exercise technique that helps both mind and body recover and rehabilitate. Fatigue, both during and after cancer treatment, is one of the biggest issues many breast cancer survivors face. Many women feel unable to function and perform daily activities while undergoing chemotherapy or radiation treatments. This fatigue can be overwhelming, as treatments are combined and surgery is added to the mix.

Pilates offers a gentle, Physical Therapy and post-rehabilitative, low-impact reintroduction or first-time introduction to regular exercise that can help one regain strength and endurance. The benefits will be obvious if you keep at it and gradually build up by performing the exercises at least two days a week.

P.O.W.E.R.

POWER stands for Post-Operative Workout Enhancing Recovery. Exercise may be the last thing you feel like doing after breast cancer surgery. You're probably exhausted, your arm may be painful and swollen, and the adjuvant treatments can make you feel even worse. All you want to do is rest. In the past, that's exactly what doctors recommended. However, recent studies indicate a link between moderate physical exercise and improved quality of life for breast cancer survivors.

We are dedicated to promoting a healthy lifestyle and positive body image to all breast cancer survivors. The Pink Ribbon Program will help stretch and strengthen the shoulder, chest, back, and abdominal muscles, allowing women to regain full range of motion to those areas affected by breast cancer surgery. This program is suitable whether your surgery was recent or several years ago, and accommodates all fitness levels.

Benefits of the Program

  • Reduces feelings of depression
  • Improves self-confidence and control
  • Helps regain strength and mobility in affected shoulder and arm
  • Enhances energy levels
  • Helps to control weight
  • Improves sleep
  • Alleviates fatigue
  • Decreases stress and tension

A BCES (Breast Cancer Exercise Specialist) Awaits You!

The Breast Cancer Exercise Specialist (BCES) is a professional qualified to assess, design and implement individual and group exercise and fitness programs for those diagnosed with cancer. The BCES is skilled in evaluating health behaviors and risk factors, conducting fitness assessments, writing appropriate exercise recommendations and motivating individuals to modify negative health habits and maintain positive lifestyle behaviors for health promotion. Your BCES will have a complete understanding of the entire cancer process from diagnosis to treatment, recovery, prevention of lymphedema and contraindications.

Both Kris Shevlin, M.S., P.T. (916-457-7171) and Christina Spence (916-612-7800) are BCES qualified and certified. Call today for more information and/or to schedule your appointment.