Summary

Original source:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2005/10/051026082020.htm

Details

• Actions of the lymph system include regulating the balance of fluids in the limbs and fighting infections.
• When lymph nodes in the armpit are removed or damaged, patients can no longer appropriately regulate the fluid in their affected arm -- which leads to swelling that can range from mild to extensive (bordering on elephantitis) and quite disfiguring.
• "It affects up to one-half of the nearly two million breast-cancer survivors alive in the U.S. today -- which means that there may be as many as one million women suffer from some form of lymphedema."
• Current clinical guidelines advise lymphedema sufferers to not participate in any vigorous upper-body exercise; and, in particular, to not lift objects that weigh more than five to 15 pounds.
• Strength training, believes Schmitz (an exercise physiologist), is an intriguing intervention for breast-cancer survivors as there is evidence that exercise improves health parameters and quality of life.
• Based on data from her own previous study (as well as other reports in the medical literature), a program of slowly-progressive weight-lifting exercises permits women to gradually increase the physical capacity of the damaged arm in a controlled setting, making it less likely that the occasional activities of daily living that require strenuous upper-body work -- such as shoveling snow or carrying children -- would over-stress the injured lymphatic system.
• Since each study participant will be required to perform a carefully-controlled program of weight-training exercises twice a week for one year, Schmitz had partnered with approximately 11 fitness facilities throughout the Philadelphia region -- including Sisters in Shape Fitness (in Logan); the Pottruck Center at the University of Pennsylvania; and nine YMCA sites in the greater metropolitan area.
• "We were able to literally re-empower women in their lives by re-empowering them physically!"

Related Articles

Popular Topics: Cancer, Breast cancer, Strength training, Diabetes, Breast cancer, Prostate cancer, Heart disease, Depression, High cholesterol, Osteoporosis, Vaccines, Autism, ADHD, Infertility, Weight loss, Cancer, Alzheimer's, Trans fats, Acrylamides, Fluoride, Mercury	Take Action: Support NaturalNews.com Email this article to a friend Share this article on: NewsVine | digg | del.icio.us Permalink to this article: http://www.NaturalNews.com/012880_cancer_breast_cancer_strength_training.html Reprinting this article: Non-commercial use OK, cite NaturalNews.com with clickable link. <a href = "http://www.NaturalNews.com/012880_cancer_breast_cancer_strength_training.html">Doctor explores the benefits of strength training for breast cancer survivors</a>
Receive our Natural Health Newsletter for FREE Subscribe now (it's free!) to win. We randomly choose a subscriber each month to send $100 in eco-home products or a RealGoods.com gift certificate (our choice). Plus, you'll receive FREE news, articles and action alerts from NaturalNews.com editors and join over 800,000 monthly readers who report extraordinary health improvements after becoming a subscriber! Receive breaking news alerts on natural health solutions, renewable energy, the environment, global warming and more. Receive a free instant download of our $29 Secret Sources guide that reveals top sources for little-known health and diet solutions.	Your Email Address: Free Subscription Code: Enter the numbers you see: 100% free of charge. Unsubscribe anytime. Absolutely no spam. We respect your email privacy.
Recommended Special Report: Seven Words that can Change the World by Joseph R. Simonetta Read this special report now... "Seven Words That Can Change the World reveals the astonishing, simple truths that have the power to forever transform our world for the better while freeing our minds from the enslavement of limiting beliefs. This is not a text for the simple-minded; it is a guiding philosophy for the mindful, intelligent few who are wise enough to seek out -- and recognize -- the higher simplicities of truly purposeful living." - Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, editor of NaturalNews.com	More on NaturalNews.com: • Streaming Health Ranger Videos • CounterThink Cartoons • FREE Special Reports • Podcasts