Pink Pilates is more than an exercise regime - it is a personalised therapeutic programme that is offered to women recovering from breast cancer surgery and related treatment.
The Pink Pilates programme is suitable after any type of breast surgery or treatment and accommodates all fitness levels. It is designed to facilitate recovery from mastectomy, lumpectomy, and breast reconstructive surgery including TRAM flap, LAT flap and breast implant reconstruction. The programme addresses the physical conditions and side effects of chemotherapy, radiation and hormone therapy. It can also help reduce the risks of treatment-related side effects such as lymphoedema, shoulder problems, scar tissue formation, fatigue, and weight gain.
The programme consists of 10 sessions with a personal physiotherapist. Each session is designed to suit the needs of each participant on that day. The first session will be one hour and will include a thorough assessment by one of the Pink Pilates physiotherapists. The following nine sessions will be half an hour. The programme is flexible and the therapists are able to provide each participant with a combination of treatments, including:
- Manual physiotherapy to prevent the formation of scar tissue and frozen shoulder
- Pilates exercises to stretch, strengthen and improve range of motion in the upper body
- Relaxing massage to relieve stiffness in the neck, back and shoulders
- Breathing control techniques to help facilitate relaxation and reduce stress levels
- And personalised home exercise programmes to facilitate overall conditioning and to increase physical stamina for faster recovery
The Pink Pilates programme is chronologically formatted into 3 phases. Timing of each phase is dependent upon your physical condition, the length of the healing process, the type of surgery involved, and the courses of adjuvant treatments. Many variables may exist that will effect particular service and exercise choices at given times.
- post op phase - Designed to assist in the healing process of clients who are recently post surgery or undergoing treatments. To restore strength and flexibility to particular joints and muscle groups that have become weak and inflexible as a result of surgery. It incorporates breathing techniques and gentle exercises modified to maximise recovery from surgery
- recovery phase - Designed to help improve energy levels and general well being during cancer treatments. It aims to help clients manage fatigue, restore post op flexibility and strength. In addition to focusing on stretching and strengthening exercises for the upper body, it contains workouts for the lower extremities, abdominal strengthening and spinal stability
- fitness phase - Designed to facilitate overall conditioning and to increase physical stamina. Aims to improve cardiovascular fitness, strength and flexibility to increase endurance, elevate the metabolism, improve muscle tone and body composition . It contains workouts for the upper and lower extremities, abdominal strengthening and spinal stability. Designed to motivate and encourage good exercise habits for life.