Physical Therapy for Oncology Rehabilitation

AT EVOLVE

Oncology Physical Therapy

HOW CAN PHYSICAL THERAPY BENEFIT INDIVIDUALS DIAGNOSED WITH CANCER?

A cancer diagnosis is often overwhelming in and of itself, but the treatments utilized to treat and cure cancer can have additional impacts on those affected. While your Oncologist or Hematologist will take the lead on selecting and administering cancer treatments, a team of other professionals is in place to help manage other aspects of your care. Oncologic physical therapists are rehabilitation professionals trained in the care and treatment of individuals diagnosed with cancer. According to the American Physical Therapy Association’s oncology section, oncologic physical therapists address impairments caused by cancer treatments like chemotherapy, radiation, bone marrow transplant, surgery and hormone therapy in order to optimize independence, physical function and quality of life.

WHAT DOES ONCOLOGIC PHYSICAL THERAPY LOOK LIKE?

Oncologic physical therapy, like all types of physical therapy, is individualized to each patient and their specific needs. Because there are many types of cancer and cancer treatments, each patient is evaluated and a treatment plan is individualized to address the symptoms and functional impairments they are experiencing. With this in mind, here is a brief outline of how we approach care for our patients with cancer: In the first visit your physical therapist will perform an initial evaluation to better understand the pattern of symptoms you are experiencing as well as your goals and needs. We will ask you about activities within your life that are being impacted by these symptoms as well as about your health history including the type of cancer you have and the types of treatments you are currently undergoing, have undergone in the past or may undergo in the future.

We can then develop an individualized treatment plan based on your needs and the best evidenced-based techniques for the management of your condition. Your treatment program may involve hands-on manual therapy techniques performed by your therapist as well as movements and exercises performed by you in the clinic and at home. Your therapist will provide patient education and assist with the attainment of adaptive equipment when indicated as well as a host of other interventions.

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WHAT IMPAIRMENTS DO ONCOLOGIC PHYSICAL THERAPISTS ADDRESS?

While many of the impairments that individuals with cancer experience as they undergo treatment for the disease overlap with impairments experienced by persons with other conditions, an oncologic physical therapist approaches treatment through the lens of how both the disease process and the treatments impact a patient’s physiology and overall health. Treatments for cancer can change skin and tissue resiliency and extensibility, can negatively affect the heart, impact cognition, cause fatigue, pain as well as other effects. Your therapist will employ their knowledge about cancer and its treatments to keep you safe while addressing your concerns. Here is a list of some of the more common impairments addressed by oncologic physical therapists:

Pain
Muscle weakness
Difficulties in walking
Lymphedema
Fibrosis or scarring
Post-surgical care
Pelvic floor dysfunction
Balance impairments
Chemotherapy-induced neuropathy
Fatigue
Loss of aerobic endurance
Neurologic symptoms

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End Injury Progression

Physical therapy for Oncology has proven to prevent injury, slow and even stop pain issues, and improve performance in many cases.

**Relieve Pain**
The movements used in this technique can target your entire body helping you to manage discomfort and pain during the course of your physical therapy treatments.

**Improve Range of Motion**
Posture awareness is an important area to focus on due to the fact that certain positions may cause you further discomfort and pain.

**Restore Mobility**
You can regain mobility and flexibility by taking part in the stretches and exercises as prescribed by your physical therapist.

How Long Will Physical Therapy for Oncology Rehabilitation Last?

If you decide to work with a physical therapist to help with Oncology related issues, your entire treatment plan could consist of around 8-20+ different physical therapy sessions that will each last 60-90 minutes. Once you complete your customized physical therapy treatment plan, you will be able to continue to do the prescribed stretches and exercises utilized during your PT sessions yet in the comfort of your own home.

Looking for the cause of an injury

Your physical therapist will individualize a treatment plan to meet your needs, however, these are some of the physical therapy interventions and services you may receive when working with your PT.

Patient education: your physical therapist will educate you about the role of physical therapy in oncology and how the treatments you received may contribute to functional impairments, pain and other symptoms. Other topics for education like fall risk reduction, pain management, energy conservation and adaptive equipment are also discussed.

Strength and aerobic training: There is good evidence to support the use of both resistance and aerobic exercise in addressing side effects of cancer treatment such as fatigue, physical function impairments, anxiety, depression and lymphedema and a physical therapist can help you to begin a safe and appropriate exercise program.

Lymphedema therapy: patients who have undergone diagnostic or therapeutic surgeries or other treatments for cancer are at risk of developing lymphedema, an accumulation of lymph fluid in one region of the body. Therapists trained in lymphedema are knowledgeable on treatments for reducing lymphedema as well as strategies to prevent it.

Gait and mobility training: if walking or mobility has been affected by cancer treatment your physical therapist can provide interventions to improve these areas.

Balance training: difficulty with balance can result from weakness and deconditioning, chemotherapy-induced neuropathy or as a side effect of treatments for the cancer itself. Physical therapists can identify those who are at risk for falls and intervene with treatment to reduce that risk.

Pelvic floor rehab: individuals with cancers affecting the pelvic region may benefit from pelvic floor physical therapy to address impairments associated with cancer treatment including incontinence, pain and sexual dysfunction among others.

Pain management: physical therapists can help with the management of musculoskeletal pain caused by radiation, chemotherapy, or surgery.

Manual therapy: manual therapy techniques to address tissue and joint restrictions can improve joint mobility and pain caused by different cancer treatments like radiation or surgery.

Equipment prescription: different types of adaptive equipment and assistive devices can improve mobility, energy conservation and quality of life and your physical therapist can help guide you on which devices are most appropriate.

When needed, your oncologic physical therapist may recommend that you work with other types of therapists like a neurologic therapist if the cancer has affected the nervous system, a speech therapist if speech or cognition are impaired or an occupational therapist if fine motor control or activities of daily living are impaired.

Battling cancer and its after-effects can be a challenge but having the right providers on your team can make all the difference. If you are ready to learn more about how physical therapy can help support you on your cancer treatment journey, call Evolve Physical Therapy today to schedule your initial evaluation.