Flechas de Vida has published an e-book documenting the experience and methodology of its rehabilitation initiative, three years after Uruguayan archers and instructors Andrea Castroman and Alejandra Borsani launched it.
World Archery featured the initiative in 2024 after it was established as a free rehabilitation programme to support patients following breast cancer surgery, particularly those who have undergone mastectomies, through the practice of archery.
Since then, Flechas de Vida has continued to grow in Uruguay. Over the past year, two leading clinics in the country’s capital, Montevideo, have referred patients to the initiative as part of their recovery.
The e-book brings together the experience gained through this work and explains its approach to using archery as a rehabilitation tool. It covers the lymphatic system and lymphedema, including its causes and prevention, as well as the differences between sports archery and archery used for rehabilitation.
The material is aimed at a range of audiences, including health professionals, coaches, archers, clinics and institutions, as well as women who are experiencing or seeking to prevent lymphedema.
“The book brings together and documents this experience, explaining in a practical way the key aspects of the programme: who can participate, how a session is developed step by step, the specific characteristics of the equipment, a simple explanation of how the lymphatic system works, and a section especially dedicated to patients with lymphedema, including recommendations on how to care for the affected arm,” said Castroman and Borsani.
The e-book is available to purchase directly through Flechas de Vida, with payment options available in Uruguay and internationally.
Their approach has since inspired similar projects around the world, including Katherine Wu’s Archery RX programme in the USA this summer.
“Over these past years, we have also grown significantly in Uruguay. We are very happy with the journey Flechas de Vida has taken and, above all, with the possibility of sharing the knowledge we have built over these years with more women and with more professionals working in both archery and healthcare.”
The Flechas de Vida book will be presented on 8 October at Uruguay’s Legislative Palace in Montevideo.
