What to Expect from Cancer Physical Therapy: A Comprehensive Guide
Cancer treatment is a challenging journey that can take a significant toll on the body. Surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, and other treatments often result in various physical side effects such as fatigue, pain, muscle weakness, and loss of mobility. While these side effects can feel overwhelming, cancer physical therapy (PT) offers a critical pathway to regaining strength, mobility, and independence during or after cancer treatment.
Cancer rehabilitation through physical therapy focuses on improving the overall quality of life for patients by addressing the physical, functional, and emotional challenges associated with cancer and its treatment. Physical therapists work alongside oncologists and other healthcare providers to tailor individualized programs that meet the unique needs of each cancer patient.
In this blog post, we’ll explore what cancer physical therapy entails, the benefits you can expect, and how it can positively impact your recovery journey.
The Role of Physical Therapy in Cancer Treatment
Physical therapy plays a crucial role in cancer care, whether you're in active treatment, recovering from surgery, or in remission. Cancer treatments, while essential for targeting and eliminating cancer cells, can also weaken the body, leaving patients with decreased energy, joint stiffness, neuropathy, and difficulties with daily activities.
The goal of cancer physical therapy is to reduce these side effects and empower patients to regain their physical strength and functionality. Here are some of the ways physical therapy can support cancer patients:
- Restoring mobility: PT helps regain range of motion and improve flexibility, particularly after surgeries or procedures that limit movement (e.g., mastectomies, prostate surgeries).
- Managing pain: Pain management techniques, such as manual therapy, exercises, and stretches, help alleviate muscle, joint, or nerve pain often experienced during treatment.
- Combating fatigue: Fatigue is one of the most common side effects of cancer treatment. Physical therapy incorporates light exercises to build stamina and fight cancer-related fatigue.
- Improving strength: Cancer treatment can lead to muscle wasting and weakness. PT focuses on strengthening exercises to rebuild lost muscle mass and restore physical endurance.
- Enhancing balance and coordination: Chemotherapy, neuropathy, or general deconditioning can affect balance, increasing the risk of falls. PT helps restore coordination and improve balance to reduce fall risk.
- Improving breathing and cardiovascular function: Certain cancers, like lung cancer, or treatments like radiation, may affect breathing. PT includes breathing exercises and aerobic conditioning to strengthen the respiratory system.
What to Expect During Cancer Physical Therapy
Cancer physical therapy is highly individualized. No two cancer patients will have the same treatment plan because each person's experience with cancer and its treatments is different. However, here’s a general overview of what you can expect during a typical cancer physical therapy program.
1. Initial Assessment and Goal Setting
Your first session with a physical therapist will involve a thorough evaluation. The therapist will take time to understand your cancer diagnosis, treatment history, and any surgery or procedures you’ve undergone. They’ll also assess your current physical condition, including strength, range of motion, balance, and posture.
During this initial evaluation, you’ll discuss your personal goals for physical therapy. Whether you want to reduce pain, regain the ability to walk without assistance, improve energy levels, or return to work, your physical therapist will create a customized plan based on these objectives.
2. Individualized Exercise Program
Exercise is a cornerstone of cancer physical therapy. Depending on your condition and treatment stage, your physical therapist will prescribe an exercise program tailored to your capabilities. The exercises will typically be low-impact and adjusted according to your energy level and fitness.
Here are some common types of exercises you might encounter:
- Range of motion exercises: These exercises are designed to improve joint flexibility and restore the full range of movement. For example, after breast cancer surgery, patients may have restricted shoulder mobility, which can be improved through targeted exercises.
- Strength training: Gentle weight-bearing exercises help rebuild muscle mass that may have been lost due to prolonged inactivity, surgery, or the effects of treatments like chemotherapy.
- Aerobic conditioning: Low-intensity cardio exercises like walking, stationary cycling, or swimming help boost your cardiovascular health and fight cancer-related fatigue.
- Balance and coordination exercises: If you experience dizziness, neuropathy, or loss of balance, your therapist will guide you through exercises aimed at improving coordination and reducing fall risks.
- Breathing exercises: For those who have undergone lung surgery or radiation, breathing exercises help enhance lung capacity and respiratory function.
Your physical therapist will teach you how to do these exercises safely and provide guidance on how often to perform them. As you progress, your therapist may adjust the intensity and complexity of your exercise routine.
3. Pain Management Techniques
Cancer treatments, surgeries, and the disease itself can lead to different types of pain, including muscle stiffness, joint pain, or neuropathy (nerve pain). Physical therapists use various methods to reduce pain, improve circulation, and relieve discomfort. These can include:
- Manual therapy: This hands-on technique involves the therapist manipulating and massaging muscles, joints, and tissues to reduce tension and improve mobility.
- Heat and cold therapy: Heat can relax muscles and increase blood flow, while cold therapy is used to reduce inflammation and swelling.
- Myofascial release: This technique focuses on releasing tightness in the fascia, the connective tissue around muscles, to reduce stiffness and pain.
Managing pain effectively allows cancer patients to stay active, continue their rehabilitation exercises, and improve overall quality of life.
4. Lymphedema Management
Lymphedema is a common complication for cancer patients, especially after surgery or radiation therapy that affects lymph nodes. This condition involves swelling in the arms, legs, or other body parts due to a blockage in the lymphatic system.
Physical therapists who specialize in oncology can provide lymphedema management, which may include:
- Manual lymphatic drainage: A gentle form of massage that encourages the flow of lymphatic fluid out of the swollen areas.
- Compression therapy: The use of compression garments (like sleeves or stockings) to reduce swelling and promote lymphatic drainage.
- Exercise: Specific exercises can help move the fluid and reduce swelling. Your physical therapist will guide you on how to perform these exercises safely.
- Skin Care: Skin care is a crucial aspect of lymphedema management because the skin in affected areas becomes more vulnerable due to the accumulation of lymphatic fluid. The increased swelling can stretch and weaken the skin, making it prone to infections, wounds, and other complications. Proper skin care helps protect the skin, maintain its integrity, and reduce the risk of serious infections, such as cellulitis.
Early intervention for lymphedema can prevent the condition from worsening and significantly improve comfort and mobility.
5. Education and Empowerment
A key component of cancer physical therapy is education. Your physical therapist will provide you with valuable information about how to take care of your body during treatment, reduce the risk of complications, and continue improving your physical function at home.
They’ll also teach you self-care strategies for managing fatigue, improving posture, and modifying activities to fit your energy levels. As you regain strength and confidence, you’ll feel empowered to take control of your health and recovery.
6. Emotional and Psychological Benefits
Physical therapy isn’t just about improving physical function—it also has significant emotional and psychological benefits. Many cancer patients struggle with anxiety, depression, and feelings of helplessness during treatment. The physical limitations and changes in body image can further compound these feelings.
Physical therapy provides a sense of empowerment by helping patients regain control over their bodies. As you progress through your exercises and start seeing improvements in strength, mobility, and energy, it can boost your confidence and mental well-being.
Additionally, the routine of attending physical therapy sessions can create a sense of normalcy and structure during a time of uncertainty, offering a mental break from focusing solely on the disease.
Cancer physical therapy is a critical component of cancer care that offers numerous benefits to patients throughout the treatment and recovery process. By addressing pain, restoring mobility, and rebuilding strength, physical therapy can help improve your quality of life and enable you to regain independence.
Whether you’re currently undergoing treatment or in remission, cancer physical therapy can empower you to take an active role in your recovery, helping you feel stronger, more confident, and better prepared to navigate life beyond cancer. If you or a loved one are undergoing cancer treatment, talk to your healthcare provider about integrating physical therapy into your care plan to support your physical and emotional well-being.
*If you would like to schedule an appointment with Elizabeth Baillie PT, DPT, CLT and Mobile Physical Therapy and Wellness, please call (424) 438-1426 to set up a visit.
