Stott Pilates Breast Cancer Rehab DVD
Review by Fiona Eakin
Let me be clear from the outset: I love Stott Pilates. As an instructor and breast cancer patient I had great expectations from this DVD. I was sorely disappointed. I underwent breast cancer surgery in late 2008. I had a mastectomy and also lost all my axillary lymph nodes. With a sore chest and stiff shoulder, I headed back to teaching Pilates, but I needed shoulder rehab. I looked for videos to motivate me, I ordered this one.
What I found was:
Two thirds of the exercises presented were completely unrelated to shoulder mobility—the prime need of all breast cancer patients.
There were no modifications of any exercises other than the occasional lip service to propping the affected arm up on a pillow.
The head/ neck alignment didn’t get a look in until halfway through the actual workout. As a Stott qualified instructor, I think it should have been right at the beginning for people rehabilitating a shoulder.
The Toning Balls added something pink to the front cover, but nothing to the value of the exercises. With a stiff shoulder and surgery scars you don’t want a 2 lb ball hanging off the end of a long lever—your arm. The instructor had an almost condescending tone when she referred to the possibility of using lighter weights, or maybe even no weight at all.
The final straw was the side lie work—half of which dealt with legs.
Problem #1: I couldn’t lie on my side! It took months and a lot of pillow adjustments before it was even remotely possible to lie on my side in bed, never mind while doing leg lifts.
Problem #2: What do side leg lifts have to do with shoulder rehabilitation?
This is a basic mat workout, giving good introductory information on posture and neutral spine alignment for the first time Pilates client. The lovely demonstration model went though the movements beautifully, all very clear, all very precise. It just had nothing to do with rehabilitation after breast surgery.
Fiona Eakin
Pilates Instructor
Sydney, Australia
2 Comments
I’m wondering if you’ve heard of the Pink Ribbon Program, which certifies instructors to work with BC survivors? I know they’ve done some work in Australia…I think they might have a DVD there. Here’s an interview we did with Pink Ribbon founder Doreen Puglisi, with lots of info. http://bit.ly/3pwVPo
Wishing you the best with your recovery and rehabilitation.
I am an occupational therapist who specializes in breast cancer rehabilitation along with Ann Marie Turo breast cancer survivor, Pilates instructor and occupational therapist. Unfortunately, rehabilitation is usually not routinely recommended after undergoing breast cancer surgery. It is important to advocate for yourself if you feel that you have pain , limited range of motion, lack of sensation, and are unable to perform your daily activities. I would start there by asking to be referred to a rehabilitation specialist. However, Ann Marie and I will be coming out with a learning CD through Fitness Learning Systems which has a 3 phase recovery program for survivors as well as recommendations after TRAM Flap reconstruction. You can rest assured that we recommend scapular stabilization exercises and modifications for all of the exercises within ones tolerance. Weights can be gradually added after one has achieved optimal range of motion without pain or discomfort. Please don’t hesitate if you have any questions
Sincerely,
Naomi Aaronson MA OTR/L CHT
Certified Cancer Exercise Trainer
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