Cancer Rehabilitation
Cancer Rehabilitation
Patients with cancer or who have a history of cancer often have physical side effects that decrease their quality of life. Cancer related fatigue, pain, weight gain, nausea, osteoporosis and neuromuscular deficits are just a few of the areas Physical Therapy can impact to increase the patient’s quality of life. Physical Therapy during and following cancer treatment promotes physical function, decreases fatigue and increases psychological well-being.
Individualized Programs
Patients receive one-on-one treatment with a licensed Physical Therapist. Treatment starts with a 60-minute evaluation specific for patients with cancer. The evaluation consists of a subjective interview, collection of objective data including function, strength, range of motion, vital signs and mobility. Then a treatment plan is developed that is specific to each patient’s needs and goals. Patients are given an individualized home program to be performed between sessions for maximum benefit. Subsequent treatment sessions are 45 minutes and are tailored to each patient’s needs.
Sessions may include:
• Therapeutic exercise specific for cancer related fatigue, nausea, decreasing BMI, osteoporosis, pain and neurological deficits.
• Manual therapy and modalities for pain control and joint/muscle restrictions
• Balance and gait (walking pattern) interventions
• Flexibility training
• Return to work and/or daily functional activities
For more information or to schedule an appointment with a therapist from the Cancer Rehabilitation Program at SMMC, call TherapyPlus at 913-676-2444.
