Who We Are

Mission Statement: THE LEBED METHOD, Focus on Healing Through Movement and Dance, is committed to improving the physical and emotional well-being of breast cancer survivors, those with Lymphedema, as well all cancers and chronic illnesses in both adults and children. Our goal is to elevate quality of life through therapeutic dance and movement, healing body, mind and spirit.

NOW WITH OVER 400 INSTRUCTORS INTERNATIONALLY (See Teacher Directory on Web site)

AND IN OVER 450 HOSPTIALS, CENTERS, FITNESS CENTERS, AND MORE LOCATIONS (See below for locations)

The Lebed Method, Focus on Healing through Movement and Dance, is a therapeutic exercise program for women who have had any kind of breast surgery, node dissection, radiation, chemotherapy, Lymphedema, or who suffer with chronic fatigue. Two physicians and a dance movement specialist created this program to help women:

• Regain Range of Motion
• Increase flexibility in Frozen Shoulder
• Work with Balance issues both physically and emotionally
• Help reduce swelling from Lymphedema
• May help reduce the risk of Lymphedema
• Decrease depression
• Add to sexuality
• Increase femininity
• Promotion of positive self image and joy
• Weight stabilization
• is FUN and EASY to do
• No special physical abilities required

Certain exercises can be one of the major preventatives for some future problems for survivors, from one day after surgery to 30 years after surgery. This quality program is needed to help Breast Cancer Survivors thrive once they have survived, with a better quality of life.

SURVIVING IS IMPORTANT... BUT THRIVING IS ELEGANT!

Many Hospitals and centers are running the Lebed Method program for those with

The Lebed Method is smooth, slow with resistant movements, gentle and easy to do. It can be done sitting or standing. Any ages, any fitness levels are welcome.

* As in any exercise program, please consult your Physician before beginning.

HISTORY OF THE LEBED METHOD

In 1979, Sherry Lebed Davis' mother, Rita Lebed was diagnosed with breast cancer. Losing her breast and knowing that this disease had already claimed the lives of her mother and her sister were too much for her. First she stopped smiling, then she stopped fighting. Her brothers and Sherry knew they had to so something for their mother. Sherry had been a professional dancer and teacher for fifteen years, and her brothers are both physician/surgeons and together they developed a medically sound program "The Lebed Method,' Focus on Healing."

For their mother, this creative, therapeutic exercise program gave her back the range of motion in her arm. More importantly, it brought back her smile. Dr. Marc and Joel Lebed and Sherry Lebed Davis, knew they had to give this gift to others who were suffering as their mother had.

Sherry began by working with breast cancer survivors at several major Medical Centers in Philadelphia, one being, Albert Einstein Medical Center in 1980. By 1986, they had published two reports in the American Physical Therapy Journal: ""Physical Therapy and Dance in the Surgical Management of Breast Cancer" and "Dance: A Therapeutic Modality for the Breast Surgery Patient", presented at the Sixtieth Annual Conference of the American Physical Therapy Association.

"The Teacher Becomes the Student"
The journey Sherry began with her mother has now come full circle. Diagnosed with breast cancer in 1996, Sherry had found many techniques helpful, but exercise and dance gave her the spirit to live and be able to have a better quality of life. In 1999 Sherry was diagnosed with Lymphedema and Dr. Marc Lebed and Sherry Lebed Davis developed a new program; The Lebed Method, Focus on Healing for upper and lower Lymphedema, which decreases swelling in the affected limb. This program was introduced in 2000 at the National Lymphedema Network National Conference in Florida.

For more information please request an informational packet: .

ABOUT THE FOUNDER

Sherry Lebed Davis is one of the foremost authorities on the use of movement for the healing and prevention of complications from breast cancer surgery and other related treatments. She is the co-founder with Dr. Marc Lebed and Dr. Joel Lebed of The Lebed Method,' Focus on Healing", a therapeutic exercise program designed to aid the physical and emotional recovery of breast cancer survivors. Widely respected authorities, such as Dr. Susan M. Love, Saskia R.J. Thaidens, executive director of The National Lymphedema Network, Dr. Clifford Hudis from Memorial Sloan Kettering Hospital, Dr. Bert Peterson from Beth Israel Hospital, Dr. Laura Morris, from Goshen General Hospital and many more recommend The Lebed Method to their patients.

In 2000 Sherry and Dr. Marc Lebed put together a three day certification training program to train others to teach The Lebed Method to the many Breast Cancer Survivors, those with Lymphedema and those with chronic illness who need this program in their states. It is now in over 200 Hospitals and centers in the US, Canada and Korea. "Train the Trainer" program was started in 2002 in order to reach more people wanting to be certified and licensed to teach The Lebed Method. There will now be many certification trainings offered in the US, Canada, Europe, and Asia. The numbers of certified trainings are expected to double by the end of 2004.( please see certification training for more information on becoming a certified licensed Lebed Method instructor in your area).

Sherry has authored the Book :Thriving after Breast Cancer,' Essential Healing Exercises for Body and Mind"::::.the video: "Focus on Healing through Movement and Dance for the Breast Cancer Survivor":::..the cassette and booklet, "Focus on Healing" and the CD, "Drums Only" Musical Companion to the therapeutic exercise program: "The Lebed Method."

Please see below the CV of Sherry Lebed Davis and feel free to print this for your reference:

Download Sherry Lebed Davis' CV (PDF format, 136Kb)

All centers that have The Lebed Method.

Click here to view a list of all the people involved with the Lebed Method.