PINK RIBBON PILATES

Exercise may be the last thing you feel like doing after breast cancer surgery. You’re probably exhausted, your arms 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. At Absolute Pilates 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 you to regain full range of motion to those areas affected by breast cancer surgery. Our program accommodates all fitness levels, whether your surgery was recent or several years ago.

At Absolute Pilates we have implemented the Pink Ribbon Program as our post operative breast cancer rehabilitative program of choice. You can learn more about the program by visiting the Pink Ribbon Program website.

Please call us today for more information or to schedule your complimentary evaluation.

The Pink Ribbon Program is a Pilates-based exercise program designed specifically for breast cancer survivors. It is designed to help stretch and strengthen the shoulder, chest, back, and abdominal muscles, allowing individuals to regain strength and range of motion to those areas affected by breast cancer surgery and treatment. The Pink Ribbon Program was created by an exercise physiologist and breast cancer survivor, and has been embraced by hospitals, physical therapy centers, educational institutions, rehabilitation clinics, and by survivors managing their own physical recovery. It works in conjunction with your doctor’s recommendations for an exercise program, and it can be used in conjunction with, or as a follow-up to prescribed physical therapy. This program is suitable whether your surgery was recent or several years ago, and accommodates all fitness levels. Rediscovering the strength, freedom, and joy inside our bodies is something we all desire. Many breast cancer survivors are actively searching for ways to do that as they manage their physical and emotional recovery. The profound importance of developing a more vital, mobile, and well-balanced body and a sense of well-being takes on new meaning. Although surgery and treatments may leave patients feeling depleted and wanting to retreat from activity, that may be the time to get moving. Recent studies indicate a link between moderate physical exercise and improved quality of life for breast cancer survivors.

Rebuilding the Foundation

Pilates for Breast Cancer

Presentation from the 2020 Pa Breast Cancer Coalition Annual Meeting that was virtual. This presentation includes a class half way through the presentation

We work with the goals of:

Improved Strength and Mobility in Shoulders & Arms
Promotes Lymphatic Drainage, Helping to Prevent Lymphedema
Improved Quality of Life
Restored Energy Levels
Improved Posture
Decreased Stress & Anxiety
Improving Pain & Swelling

Benefits of the Pink Ribbon Program

Regain Strength and Mobility in Affected Shoulder & Arm
Promotes Lymphatic Drainage, Helping to Prevent Lymphedema
Improves Functional Ability & Quality of Life
Enhances & Restores Energy Levels
Assists in Restoring Posture
Decreases Stress & Anxiety
Alleviates Pain & Swelling

Testimonial

It is now about taking back what cancer took away. I love coming to class to connect with other survivors build connections and community.

~Leslie

Program Design

There are four phases of The Pink Ribbon Program. Progression from one phase to the next varies with each individual. Because everyone is different and heals at an individual pace, you should consult with your doctor or healthcare team member before starting this or any exercise program.
PHASE I focuses on increasing range of motion of the shoulder, expansion of the chest, and shoulder blade stabilization.
PHASE II focuses on improving core strength and movement. Spinal and core stability exercises are also added in this phase.
PHASE III adds more strengthening exercises for the core and we begin to incorporate lower body strength and stability exercises.
PHASE IV introduces the use of resistance to the workout.

Getting Started

Clients begin with a free 1/2 hour initial assessment and meeting. We recommend starting with an Intro series of 10 Private lessons in order to progress through the phases and feel the benefits of the program. Private lessons for this program are 30 minutes to 55 min in length and may be purchased at a discounted package rate or a single lesson rate.