Conventional breast-cancer treatments like surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation require a great deal of energy to recover from and often leave the immune system severely weakened.

For this reason, it is essential to take preventative measures before the treatments begin. If you start out well rested and strong, your body will recover more quickly, and you'll be in a better position to continue fighting cancer's reoccurrence when you're through.

Here are four recommendations based on the principles of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) that can help you prepare.

1. Conserve Your Energy

It is impossible to overstate how important it is to rest as much as possible before, during, and after surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. Most women are completely exhausted before their treatment even begins. As you can imagine, being exhausted makes it all the more difficult for your body to recover.

Do your best to reduce your work schedule and any other commitments you have as far in advance as possible. Even if you feel you still have plenty of energy, save it. You'll need it later for self-healing. Be very selfish about how you spend your energy. Avoid any strenuous activities or exercise, and have sex in moderation.

Set aside time to rest. Just close your eyes and sit quietly, even if it's only for a few minutes. Do this as often as you can throughout the day.

2. Stay Positive

The mind-body link is very important at this juncture. Your mental state can either strengthen your body's energy function or cause it to collapse. Don't waste your energy on negative thoughts or worries. Focus on getting well. Your body has the amazing ability to heal itself. Never forget that.

If you ever feel worried or frightened, think about yourself completely cured, strong and healthy. Feel this surge of positive energy run through your whole body, and keep these thoughts with you at all times.

3. Exercise Gently

Soft forms of exercise promote the smooth flow of Qi through the body. Such exercises include qigong, tai chi, non-aerobic yoga, swimming, and just walking in the park (not on a treadmill). Avoid strenuous or aerobic exercise.

Our self-care section on qigong outlines a simple exercise routine that you can do at home. There you'll find seven exercises that target breast cancer by unblocking stagnant energy in the breast area. Practicing qigong is the best way to build Qi and improve your overall energy level.

If you've had your lymph nodes removed, try to raise your arms very slowly as often as you can. This may be painful at first, but it helps reestablish the flow of blood and energy through this area. The qigong movements Dragon Opens the Curtains and Dragon Touches the Moon can also help you recover your full range of motion. If there is swelling in the arm, massage the area gently.

4. Eat Well

At least two weeks before undergoing surgery, help your body increase blood volume by eating more spinach and red beets. Also, support your kidney energy by eating more seafood, especially shrimp, lobster, clams, oysters, and mussels. Drinking any type of soup stock made from bone (for example, beef stock) can also help increase blood volume and strengthen the overall immune system.

While undergoing chemotherapy and radiation, eat mostly fresh fruit and lightly cooked vegetables, especially: pears, almonds, kiwis, dandelion greens, and carrots. These foods help detoxify the body and cool the excess heat caused by the treatments. Other good foods include clams, mussels, oysters, quail eggs (either fresh or canned), and sugarcane juice.

For breakfast, have two kiwis and a handful of toasted almonds, and over the course of the day eat at least four pears (either whole or juiced). Other meals should consist of one or more recommended vegetables and, if possible, shellfish, which are particularly effective for reducing internal heat.