Oncology Rehabilitation
The American Cancer Society recommends people undergoing cancer treatment, and cancer survivors, perform consistent physical exercise to decrease fatigue, and improve the ability to perform normal daily activities. Studies show that exercise can improve an individual’s chances of surviving cancer. Physical therapists can design individualized exercise and treatment programs to reduce or prevent many cancer-related problems.
The InMotion Physical Therapy team understands that cancer and cancer treatment symptoms are unique for every person. That’s why our specialty trained physical therapists do a comprehensive exam and develop an individualized treatment program for your specific needs and goals.
Our rehabilitation programs are designed specifically for patients with all types of cancer diagnose
Early referral and addressing the complete rehabilitation needs of our patients with our unique body-systems approach allows us to treat multiple symptoms and create a plan of care that can mitigate the development of long term issues (like restricted range of motion, fibrosis, lymphedema, deconditioning, vestibular issues, pain and neuropathy).
Patients who receive chemotherapy:
can experience toxicity symptoms in many areas. Chemo Toxicity affects: the heart, muscles, nerves, muscles, lungs, gastroinstestinal function, and the blood.
Physical therapy can alleviate and treat a number of these symptoms both during active chemotherapy treatment and post-chemotherapy.
Heart
- Decreases resting heart rate
- Strengthens myocardium increasing ventricular contractility
- Increases cardiac output and stroke volume
Nerves
- Improves neurochemical availability at the cellular and tissue levels and Increases motor unit recruitment
- Improves coordination
Muscles
- Increases protein synthesis to rebuild
- Stimulates the release of hormones that increase muscle cell growth and development / increased strength
Gastrointestinal Function
- Increases uptake of nutrients
- Improves appetite
Lungs
- Strengthens intercostal muscles, optimizing lung capacity
- Improves ventilation and transportation of air from environment to cellular level
Blood
- Increases red blood cell production
- Increases blood volume and hemoglobin concentration
Oncology Physical Therapy Helps Patients Dealing With:
Comfort & Wellbeing
Cancer and cancer treatments can cause symptoms such as pain, burning sensations, numbness, tingling (neuropathy), cramps, spasms, and weakness. Your physical therapist may apply hands-on techniques (manual therapy) or technologies like electrical stimulation to help decrease your pain and alleviate your symptoms. Your physical therapist may teach you gentle exercises or techniques to perform at home to aid your recovery. All of these options may reduce or eliminate the need for opioid pain medication.
Aerobic Capacity
Cancer or cancer treatment may have decreased your ability to process oxygen (aerobic capacity), causing fatigue. Research shows that aerobic exercise, such as walking on a treadmill for at least 20 minutes 3 times per week, may help improve aerobic capacity, reduce fatigue, and optimize healing. Your physical therapist can assess your aerobic capacity and determine the best aerobic activities for you.
Bone Density
Lack of activity and certain cancer treatments can cause weakening of your bones, which could lead to bone fractures. Certain types of exercise can prevent bone loss and maintain bone strength. Your physical therapist can teach you safe and effective exercises to help steadily build your bone strength.
Lymphedema & Swelling
Certain cancer treatments can result in lymphedema (swelling in the arms or legs) or other types of swelling. Your physical therapist can use several methods to reduce, control, and prevent lymphedema and swelling, such as specialized gentle massage, special movements and exercises, and application of compressive garments such as arm sleeves, gloves, and leg stockings.
Surgical Incisions
Your physical therapist can help you care for any surgical incisions and sutured areas, by checking for infection and assisting with dressing changes. The physical therapist also can help prevent some kinds of scarring and skin tightness as the suture line heals. Your physical therapist can use very gentle massage or certain technologies to keep the skin as soft and pliable as possible.
Body Weight
By creating an exercise and physical activity program tailored just for you, your physical therapist will help you reduce body fat and maintain a healthy body weight, which can improve your energy levels.
Mood
Exercise helps elevate mood and reduce depression in everyone, including cancer patients and survivors. A diagnosis of cancer, and cancer treatment, can be stressful and cause mood changes in anyone. Proper exercise, individualized for each person by a physical therapist, can help reduce stress and improve mood.
Brain Fog
Exercise helps relieve brain fog. Your physical therapist can design an individualized program of exercise that can help reduce memory loss and brain fog.
Range of Motion (ROM)
Your physical therapist will choose specific activities and treatments to help restore normal movement in any stiff joints. These might begin with “passive” motions that the physical therapist performs for you, and progress to active exercises and stretches that you do yourself. You can perform these motions at home to help hasten healing and pain relief.
Flexibility
Your physical therapist will determine if any muscles are tight, start helping you to stretch them, and teach you how to stretch them at home.
Strength
If your physical therapist finds any weak or injured muscles, the physical therapist will choose, and teach you, the correct exercises to steadily restore your strength and agility.
Coordination
Your physical therapist will help you improve and regain your coordination and agility, so you can perform household, community, and sports activities with greater ease.
Balance
Your physical therapist will examine your balance, and choose specific exercises that you can perform in the clinic and at home to improve your balance and prevent falls. Your physical therapist may also teach you how to use a cane or walker to help maintain your balance when walking and standing.
Home Exercise Program
Your physical therapist will teach you strengthening, stretching, and pain reduction exercises to perform at home. These exercises will be designed specifically for your needs.
