Abdominal Scar Massage After DIEP Flap Breast Reconstruction
DIEP flap breast reconstruction takes place along on the lower abdomen and typically leaves a scar. This type of abdominal scar is a great candidate for scar massage, which can help to keep the scar from becoming firm and assist in overall abdominal healing. You can start massaging your DIEP flap scar after surgery, after […]
Steps for Strides Week 8: Adding Intervals & Talking While Walking
Over the past several weeks, our Steps for Strides training has covered head-to-toe form, footwear, duration, distance, speed, and more. This week’s addition is interval training, which synthesizes all of those elements. Interval training involves incorporating short bursts of intense exercise into your workout at set intervals of time. This approach is a great, structured […]
Join Us For “Embracing Your Body Beyond Cancer Treatment” on October 17th
Join us on for our next lecture as part of our Be Informed Lecture Series. Our guest speaker is: Donna Bacon, Ph.D., LCSW, CT Please join us for this educational session on Embracing Your Body Beyond Cancer Treatment. *Registration is required ABOUT THE SPEAKER Donna T. Bacon, Ph.D, LCSW, CT is […]
Susan Lax & Mollie Sugarman Guide Patients to the Oasis Within Following Diagnosis
The Clinical Director of NYBRA’s Patient Empowerment Program, Mollie Sugarman, joined author and spiritual coach Susan Lax for a discussion on Finding the Oasis Within Following Diagnosis. Susan is known throughout the country for a daily email list Morning Inspirations. These emails each contain a moment meant to promote heart awareness. Her book, A Heart’s […]
Steps for Strides Week 7: Add Mileage
This week, we’re working on maintaining momentum. Continued training at this level will give you the tools to finish the Making Strides walk with ease. The key is to keep yourself moving every week. This week’s training goals: • Aim to walk a total of 180 minutes over the course of the week. • Take […]
“High Def” DIEP Flaps: Maximizing the Aesthetic Outcome of the Abdomen
When we discuss DIEP flap breast reconstruction, the natural tendency is to focus on the breast. Since the goal of the procedure is to create warm, beautiful breasts from your own tissue, it is necessary and appropriate to begin the conversation there. However, DIEP flaps involve another area of the body: the abdomen. This tissue […]
Scar Massage: When, Why, and How?
Most people are familiar with scars, because most of us have a few. When the body produces collagen fibers to close and heal a wound – be it from an injury or an incision – the fibers do not grow in the same, consistent direction. These inconsistent fibers mark the skin with discoloration and even […]
Steps for Strides Week 6: Add Speed
Last week, we added a bit more time to one walk to work toward increased stamina with stable form. Now that you have spent several weeks learning and practicing proper form, determining your personal physical limitations, and ensuring that you have all the right gear to get the job done, it is finally time to […]
The Power of Letting Go
Most of us place emphasis on autonomy. It’s important to feel that we are in command of our decisions. That is why the loss of control patients feel after a breast cancer diagnosis is one of the most devastating and frequent discussion focuses in the support groups I facilitate. The challenge of the diagnosis itself […]
Steps for Strides Week 5: Slow and Steady
Now that you’ve been moving for a few weeks, it’s time to add an essential component: length. Making Strides is a relatively long walk. While it is important to build up based on your comfort level, it is also important to work toward that longer goal. You have increased your duration incrementally each week. This […]