Fighting the Effects of Cancer with Physical Therapy
What to Know About Oncology Physical Therapy
While the reality of facing a cancer diagnosis can be daunting, modern medicine has advanced greatly in the area of medical treatments and cures for cancer. Surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, stem cell transplants, and hormone therapies are targeted to destroy cancer cells, but in the process of restoring health these treatments can cause mild to severe physical impairments. The development of specialty oncologic physical therapy has meant, however, that these physical impairments can be managed and addressed during and after cancer treatment. This article will outline the role that oncology physical therapy has in restoring physical health and quality of life for those undergoing or who have undergone treatment for cancer.
WHAT PHYSICAL SIDE EFFECTS CAN RESULT FROM CANCER TREATMENT?
Before we discuss the types of physical therapy treatments that are available to survivors of cancer, let’s take a look at some of the physical side effects that can result from cancer and its treatments:
Lymphedema: swelling caused by accumulation of lymphatic fluid in an area of the body. This can result from a cancerous tumor blocking the flow of fluid or from surgical removal of lymph nodes.
Cancer-related fatigue: defined by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) as a “distressing, persistent, subjective sense of physical, emotional, and/or cognitive tiredness or exhaustion related to cancer or cancer treatment that is not proportional to recent activity and interferes with usual functioning.” It affects 70-80% of cancer survivors of all stages of disease and recovery.
Balance impairments: those undergoing current or previous cancer treatment are at higher risk for falls due to factors such as increased levels of fatigue, chemotherapy-induced nervous system changes, and muscle weakness.
Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy: some chemotherapy drugs can damage the peripheral nerves that relay sensory and motor information. Muscle weakness, numbness and uncomfortable or painful sensations in arms or legs may develop.
Muscle weakness, muscle atrophy and loss of stamina: this impairment has many possible causes including cancer-related fatigue, chemo-induced neuropathy, medication side effects, side effects of the cancer itself, and increased sedentary behaviors.
Radiation Fibrosis: The scarring fibrosis of tissues in an area treated with radiation can occur immediately or years after radiation therapy, though it does not always develop. Tissue shortening and skin tightening, weakening of bones, contracture or atrophy of muscles and lymphedema can occur.
Pain: pain can occur as a side effect of the cancer, the treatments used to treat the cancer and as a result of changes in physical activity or mobility.
HOW CAN PHYSICAL THERAPY ADDRESS THESE CONCERNS?
Oncology physical therapy can help with many of the symptoms listed above. Your physical therapist will be able to monitor your vitals and your response to therapy as you go along. It is important to note that certain types of treatments such as ultrasound, soft tissue mobilization, deep heat, or electrical stimulation may not be appropriate over areas of tumor growth or healing tissues. Also, for those with lymphedema or who are at risk for lymphedema, it is important to speak with your physical therapist and physician about what treatments are safe and appropriate for you. While a physical therapy program will always be individualized to meet your specific needs, here are some of the ways oncology physical therapists may treat your symptoms:
Manual Therapy: Hands on techniques such as soft tissue mobilization, scar mobilization, or joint mobilization may be used to improve the movement and mobility of muscles, skin, and joints
Strengthening: Strength training can help improve muscle weakness and atrophy to assist you in performing your day to day activities
Flexibility: Restoring flexibility through stretching or mobility exercises can help with pain management and improving your ability to perform functional tasks
Balance training: Balance training is essential in reducing the elevated risk for falls in survivors of cancer.
Endurance training: Regular aerobic exercise is important to combat cancer and cancer treatment related conditions. Your PT can prescribe you a progressive aerobic and muscular endurance training program. You may ride a stationary bike or walk on a treadmill, for example, for progressively longer periods as your stamina improves.
Gait training: If restoring walking ability is part of your treatment plan your PT can train you on appropriate assistive devices and work with you to improve the safety, quality, and endurance of walking.
Patient Education: Education is always an important part of oncology physical therapy. Education may include information on pacing and energy conservation, on incorporating exercise at home, on mindfulness and stress management techniques, on home modifications, and on equipment and assistive devices.
IS EXERCISE SAFE FOR ME?
Before beginning an exercise program it is always important that you speak with your oncologist and any other physicians caring for you. If your cancer or cancer treatments have affected your bones, heart, or lungs, for example, your doctors may encourage or restrict certain types of exercise to keep you safe and healthy.
Research has shown over and over again that engaging in regular physical activity can reduce your likelihood of developing many types of cancer. More important for this topic, however, is that research has also shown that regular physical activity can help prevent and treat many cancer health related outcomes such as fatigue, anxiety, reduced function, and quality of life. For survivors of cancer who are not currently participating in a regular exercise program and for whom unsupervised exercise may be unsafe, a referral to outpatient physical therapy is highly recommended.
The physical therapist will perform a thorough evaluation of your current strength, balance, endurance, sensation, flexibility, and mobility. They will also interview you about any concurrent medical conditions or past surgeries. Your physical therapist will also be able to communicate with your doctors regarding any restrictions or precautions you may have for specific types of movement or exercise and present them with any questions or concerns that may arise throughout your plan of care.
YOU GET THE WHOLE PACKAGE
Oncology physical therapy focuses on a whole-person approach to better health and quality of life for survivors of cancer. While cancer may have been an unexpected detour in your life’s path, physical therapy will create an individualized program to address any physical impairments you have and to empower you to move better and exercise more so that you can participate in and enjoy life to the fullest. Call Evolve PT today and learn how we can support you on this journey to better health and better function.
About EvolveNY-
Brooklyn's Premier Holistic Physical Therapy Clinics- There’s physical therapy, there’s training, and then there’s EVOLVE. We use the science of biomechanics merged with fitness to help our patients get better and stay better!
First we evaluate, then we heal, then we strengthen our clients so they can reach their goals, feel better, and live happier lives. We do so by utilizing a range of core techniques and specialized treatments to reduce pain, improve mobility, enhance physical strength and deal with the underlying issues, not just the pain itself.
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