Surgical procedures are the main method of curing breast cancer. Currently, modified radical breast cancer surgery is the most common surgical procedure for early stage breast cancer. The purpose of axillary lymph node dissection is to clarify the stage, predict prognosis and guide adjuvant therapy. Whether or not lymph node dissection is then performed is considered to be one of the important prognostic factors for functional recovery of the upper extremity after surgery. The main reason why axillary lymph node dissection affects the function of the upper extremity is the obstruction of lymphatic return to the upper extremity caused by the dissection. This causes lymphedema, painful numbness, muscle weakness and shoulder damage in the upper extremity. The advancement of lymphatic return relies on both active and passive forces, and the skeletal muscle contraction during upper limb exercise applies the principle of passive lymphatic return, which effectively promotes passive lymphatic return and can promote the recovery of affected limb function. In addition, upper limb exercise simultaneously stimulates the contraction of lymphatic vessels and promotes the return of lymphatic fluid, because lymph is also innervated by sympathetic nerves, and the contraction of muscles can help lymphatic vessels to be controlled by sympathetic nervous system again. Therefore, postoperative limb exercise can promote lymphatic reflux in the upper limb by contraction of forearm and upper arm muscles, reduce the occurrence of postoperative upper limb lymphedema, and play a long-term effect of preventing lymphedema and promoting the recovery of the function of the affected upper limb.