Cancer Survivors ‘Focus On Healing’

By Nancy K. Crevier

For Newtown breast cancer survivors Dr Maureen Helgren and Glorianne Garvin, both Certified Lebed Method Instructors, the chance to share with local women cancer survivors the Lebed Method of therapeutic movement, is thrilling. “I’m delighted to be able to offer this program in our hometown,” said Ms Garvin.

The two women will lead the free, eight-week “Focus on Healing” program at the Newtown Youth Academy, 4 Primrose Street, Fairfield Hills, beginning Saturday, February 7, from 10:05 am to 11:05 am, in the upstairs gym of the academy.

Dr Helgren, PhD, physical therapist, and an instructor in the Physical Therapy Program at Quinnipiac University in Hamden, first saw a flyer advertising training for the Lebed Method four years ago when she was recovering from breast cancer. She and Ms Garvin signed up for the three-day intensive training, and have been instructing groups in Norwalk and Hamden for the past three years.

The Lebed Method was developed by Sherry Lebed Davis, an acclaimed authority on movement and therapeutic exercise for cancers, lymphedema, and related treatments. Along with her brothers, Dr Marc Lebed and Dr Joel Lebed, she co-founded The Lebed Method. The exercise program incorporates some uncommon items like feathered boas, beach balls, and bubble blowing to encourage women to improve posture, balance, and increase range of motion that is sometimes lost during recovery from cancer and cancer treatments.

“One of my pet peeves,” said Dr Helgren, “is that not all people get the information about exercise that they need when they are diagnosed with cancer. This program is focused to the specific needs of people who have had cancer or suffer from side effects of the disease.”

After breast cancer surgery, for example, said Dr Helgren, some exercise movements need to be restricted or avoided. “A lot of women develop the tendency to round their shoulders and ‘protect’ their breast area after surgery,” said Dr Helgren. “These exercises are designed to gently and slowly release the muscles and to work on posture.”

Breast cancer survivors are also prone to lymphedema, a condition in which the protein-rich fluid that flows throughout the body clogs lymphatic channels, or develops infection. The Lebed Method exercises can help reduce the risk of lymphedema, which once acquired, can only be controlled, never cured.

The benefits of the exercise class go way beyond the physical improvement, said Ms Garvin, who likened the class to “group support, without sitting around in chairs looking at each other.”

The class, open to female cancer survivors of all fitness levels, is a lot of fun, said Ms Garvin, and even the exercises that on the surface appear a little silly, such as blowing bubbles, have a therapeutic effect. “Blowing bubbles is a way to get going on some deep breathing, without thinking about it,” said Ms Garvin.

As a pharmacology representative in oncology sales, Ms Garvin added, teaching the Lebed Method to other women is a way that allows her to impact patient care in a very different way. “It is inspirational to be able to see how people support each other as they heal,” she said.

Participants must sign a release form. It is not necessary to attend all eight classes, and classes can be joined at any time during the eight weeks.

“I am hopeful that this will be successful and that we can continue after [the original eight week session],” said Dr Helgren.

To register for the class, contact Dr Helgren at maureen.helgren@quinnipiac.edu.