Take a minute, and just breathe

From the moment of diagnosis, some patients have often told me “I feel like I have a weight on my shoulders, I just want to curl up.”

This urge to “curl up” is a normal self protective response that can lead to problems with functional movement down the road. Individuals can often hold a protective posture, after many types of surgery and then again during recovery and adjuvant treatment.

Most often my patients hug themselves as a way to protect the body or limb from injury causing the head to come forward and down—picture a turtle hunkering in. If this posture is held for to long, our bodies begin to think of the position as “normal.” Over time reaching for a coat out of the closet or turning to look behind you while driving suddenly becomes a challenging activity.

1. Take a slow deep breath, lifting from the belly to the chest and easing the head back.
2. Exhale slowly, allowing the shoulders to fall gently down, rolling back.

Learning to find and incorporate a healthy posture goes beyond simple body positioning. It takes time and practice but it’s worth it! Several survivors have reported “I feel taller” and “my entire body moves better.”

Cancer treatment is a tremendous journey, be kind to yourself and protect yourself with a proud posture.

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