Essential Exercises for Breast Cancer Survivors [Paperback]

Amy Halverstadt (Author), Andrea Leonard (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 2000

Essential Exercises for Breast Cancer Survivors helps breast cancer patients at every step of their journey.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Overcoming the aftereffects of breast cancer can be as difficult as hearing the original diagnosis. Exercise specialists and personal trainers Halverstadt and Leonard first discuss the physical effects of breast cancer surgery and treatment (from general stiffness and "frozen shoulder" to painful scar tissue and lymphedema), then offer stretches, warm-ups, and 90-plus exercises (their "Essential Exercises," repeated ad nauseum) to improve/regain range of motion and increase strength of the affected arm. Their plan is intended to improve one's overall well-being through better posture, improved lymphatic flow, weight management, and cardiovascular health through aerobics. The photos included in the galley are quite small (most photos were not seen). The authors have done an admirable job, but in all honesty, can any exercise regime be followed properly via a book? They say, "Don't lock your knees" and "Contract your abdominals and your buttocks," but do most women know how that is done? Women wanting to reverse the complications of breast surgery would do better with a videocassette, e.g., Better Than Before (LJ 1/96) or Focus on Healing Through Movement & Dance for the Breast Cancer Survivor (LJ 5/15/99), where positions are amply demonstrated and explained. Still, this book is recommended for comprehensive patient health collections.DBette-Lee Fox, "Library Journal"
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Paperback: 209 pages
• Publisher: Harvard Common Press; 1 edition (October 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1558321799
• ISBN-13: 978-1558321793
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.5 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #340,715 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A definite must for ANY health professional, November 12, 2000

By 

K. Vensel (Texas) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Essential Exercises for Breast Cancer Survivors (Hardcover)

I have the 2000 edition of this book and ABSOLUTELY love it! I am a post-rehab conditioning specialist as well as a personal trainer and recommend this book to anyone that will have to design an exercise program for breast cancer survivors. It provides excellent information about different surgical procedures and exercise indications and contraindications! It illustrates and explains "level appropriate" exercises for stretching, ROM, and resistance training! GREAT REFERENCE BOOK!

5.0 out of 5 stars Essential Exercises is a great exercise book!, January 10, 2002

By 

Patricia J. Anderson (Fort Riley, KS) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Essential Exercises for Breast Cancer Survivors (Paperback)

This excellent book will help anyone regain strength after breast surgery. The exercises are divided by level of difficulty. They are clearly explained with text and many, easy-to-follow pictures. The authors include tips to cover all the different kinds of breast cancer surgery. This book would be a very good guide for the beginner as well as someone who was exercising regularly before surgery. Patricia J. Anderson, RN, MN, Author, Breast Cancer: A Patient Guide

5.0 out of 5 stars Essential is right!, December 19, 2001

By 

Erik Flowers (Huntington Beach, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Essential Exercises for Breast Cancer Survivors (Paperback)

Being a personal trainer, I contacted one of the authors (Andrea Leonard) who was offering a training course based on her book. I jumped at the chance. The book is filled with great exercises, information and resources. The book is not only essential for exercising, but essential to personal trainers who want to work with breast cancer clients. This book is a groundbreaking standard in the field.