CliniMed hosts Breathing and Movements Webinar

On the 3rd of March, we hosted a webinar focusing on the Breathing and Movements Program designed to help individuals recover from surgery, in particular those with a stoma. 89 people attended online on the day with a further 170 registered to watch the webinar in their own time. It was led by ostomate and disability activist Sam Cleasby who was joined by Breathing and Movements Instructor Andy Hansen, Educational Support Worker Sarah Brown, and fellow ostomate Shelley White who has been following the program for almost a year. The aim of the webinar was to provide practical exercises and insights to help participants build confidence in their recovery journey, reduce the risk of parastomal hernias, and strengthen their core muscles.

Something For Everyone

While the Breathing and Movements program is specifically designed for people with stomas, everyone involved in the webinar emphasised that it can be beneficial for anyone. This includes friends or family members who want to support the recovery process. They also encouraged people to exercise together with a partner for added motivation and accountability.

Confidence

The importance of breathing and movements exercises in helping individuals gain confidence in moving safely after surgery was a key takeaway from the webinar. The program itself was designed to help reduce the risk of developing parastomal hernias and support overall recovery. Shelley began following the program after she had ileostomy surgery. She shared her personal experience of how the program helped her feel more confident and able to perform daily tasks, including lifting shopping bags, with ease and confidence. She expressed how the exercises had a significant positive impact on her recovery.

Core Strength

The session highlighted how many participants felt that core connection was crucial for their recovery, particularly after open surgery. The importance of aligning the core strength, stability, and breathing exercises was emphasised as these work together to improve strength and stability. While discussing the use of support belts, Sarah and Andy clarified that while they can provide temporary relief, the program’s focus was on strengthening the internal core muscles, making the body less reliant on external aids in the long run.

Never Too Late To Start

Attendees were reassured that it was never too late to start the program, even for those who already have hernias or other issues. It was recommended to start with basic movements and progress slowly, while always listening to their body and avoiding discomfort during exercises. The program is progressive, starting with basic exercises that can be gradually increased in difficulty over time. The importance of staying motivated and consistent was stressed, with some participants even progressing to more advanced exercises, such as planks, as they built confidence in their recovery.

Attendees were encouraged to engage with the program regularly, and the session underscored that no one is alone on their recovery path—support is available, and the program is accessible to everyone, regardless of their fitness level.

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