What is Oncology (Cancer) Rehabilitation?
It is a comprehensive program of exercises, yoga, nutrition and speech therapy designed to help the cancer patient recover quickly and safely, reduce fatigue and to improve quality of life.
The program is tailor made for each individual patient to optimize benefit.
Who would benefit from it?
- Any cancer patient who is currently on treatment or has already finished with the treatment.
- Those who have undergone surgery
- During or after radiation therapy
- During or after chemotherapy
- Anyone with a diagnosis of cancer
Our rehabilitation programs provide physical therapy and overall reconditioning for many of the impairments that may result from cancer, cancer surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy and other treatments for cancer, including:
- Muscle wasting
- Weakness
- Pain
- Impaired mobility
- Anxiety Depression
- Overall deconditioning
- Swelling
- Weight loss
What are the goals of the program?
Research studies by American Cancer Society and American College of Sports Medicine have shown that physical exercises help to improve the quality of life in cancer patients by positively influencing physical, functional and psychosocial well-being. Exercises also reduce perception of fatigue which is a major concern related to cancer therapy. In addition, regular exercises improve effectiveness of radiation and chemotherapy.
What does the program involve?
- Physical therapy exercises
- Manual lymphatic drainage (MLD)
- Counselling
- Nutrition consultation
- Physical Therapy Exercises:
- They are divided in 4 parts:
- Cancer specific exercises
- Aerobic exercises
- Resistance exercises
- Exercises to prevent & or drain lymphedema.
- They are divided in 4 parts:
Cancer specific exercises are focused on the are body part which is affected by cancer with an aim to relieve pain, improve mobility and build up strength. Aerobic exercises like walking on the treadmill, cycling or cross trainer are prescribed after assessing your baseline capacity. They help in maintaining or improving your capacity further and reduce fatigue levels.
Resistance training aims to build up strength and endurance of various muscle groups of your body. This is done using weight cuffs, dumbbells, elastic thera-bands and various equipment.
Exercises to prevent or drain lymphedema are specific set of exercises which are necessary for the patient who has developed or is at risk of developing swelling in arm or leg after surgery or radiation. In case of excessive swelling, manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) is given as needed with or without the use of special bandaging technique called Multi-Layer Lymphoedema Bandaging.
What benefit will the patient derive from the program?
Research studies have shown that physical exercises helps to improve your quality of life by positively influencing your physical, functional and psychosocial well-being.
Exercises also reduce perception of fatigue which is a major concern related to cancer therapy.
In addition to that regular exercises improve effectiveness of radiation and chemotherapy.
