This video will help you understand the importance of exercising after head and neck cancer surgery. Although a gym can help, I will show you some of the props/tools that you can use to assist you with the exercises at home: – a Pilates ball – a Pilates mat or a sun lounger cushion – bath towel – pulley – broomstick – cans of soup – weights 0.5kgs to 2kgs – plastic litre bottle of water – resistance bands or bungee cords.
Always consult your physician before doing any exercise. Make sure you are doing the exercises in a warm environment and breath while doing the exercises, don’t hold your breath. Before doing any exercise drink a glass of water. If doing any of these exercises causes nausea, pain or dizziness stop and contact your doctor.
Deciding on when to exercise can often be put aside by everyday chores. I found choosing triggers to exercise helped me make exercising after my head and neck cancer surgery part of my everyday life. Walking through a doorway, waiting for a kettle to boil, watching television, sitting in a car waiting for friends or as part of your getting up in the morning routine. Doing the exercises once or twice will not work. The important thing is keep doing the exercises and you will regain mobility, help your immune system and just feel better.
So good luck and I hope you find the exercises useful.
Stay positive!