Exercise and Yoga for Breast Cancer Survivors
A 2013 retrospective meta-analysis in the Journal of Physiotherapy reviewed 34 studies to determine effectiveness of exercise programs in patients who had undergone treatment for Cancer. The results suggest tatistically significant benefits in body weight, peak oxygen consumption, strength, physical function, and quality of life for those patients involved in exercise after treatment. 65% of the individuals reviewed possessed Breast Cancer. In 2013 The Department of Clinical Psychology at VU University Amsterdam performed focus groups to determine the effects of Yoga on Cancer patients. 29 Cancer Patients participated and 72 % were Breast Cancer Patients. Their mean age was 53. The results suggested physical and psychosocial benefits including: mental strength and resilience, increased physical fitness and function, relaxation, and happiness. These results exactly match a much larger 2012 study of 742 participants in BMC Cancer. These results support Breast Cancer Rehabilitation programs and Yoga for Breast Cancer survivors.
** Beginning May 2013 Wyatt Rehabilitation will be offering Yoga Services. **
As the Yoga Program evolves and becomes a standard wellness program, there is hope that those with Flex Spending Accounts may be able to use these accounts for their yoga. Please check with your flex spending provider for eligibility. Often Fitness and Exercise is a covered benefit when being treated for a medical condition but a physician's diagnosis letter is required. See an example of a discussion on Complementary and Alternative Medicine through Cigna's page below.
* Cigna's Complementary and Alternative Medicine
Horizon Blue Cross NJ also supports Fitness and Health through its BFit Program for Gym Memberships as well as Horizon Alternative Therapies.