Oncology and Physiotherapy

An estimated 2 in 5 Canadians will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime. You or someone you love is likely already a part of that statistic. Did you know that physiotherapy could be and SHOULD be a part of your life before, during and after cancer treatments?

According to the latest research, here are 3 important facts:

1. If you are in good overall physical condition, you can tolerate cancer treatment better and with less side effects.
2. Higher levels of activity during cancer treatment lead to lower fatigue and pain.
3. Higher activity levels after cancer treatments yield a higher rate of survivorship.

 

What can physiotherapy for oncology patients consist of?

1. • Lymphedema control/management:
     Guided exercise, home exercise program, soft tissue massage for lymph mobility, laser, custom compression garments, etc

1. • During treatment
     Stretching to maintain range of motion and decrease muscular pain, gentle manual therapy/soft tissue massage to manage muscular tension/pain, strengthening/moving muscles to maintain overall function, pain control

1. • After treatment
     Manual therapy for scar tissue/incision management, stretching to return to full range of motion, home exercise program, gradual/guided cardiovascular exercise to return to daily function, strengthening muscles to improve overall daily function, exercises to address any balance or walking impairments, pain control

 

There are many different ways that physiotherapy can help you! I continue to take courses to further educate myself on the topic of oncology so that I can continue to help our community fight back against this terrible disease. Call the Fortius Niagara clinic to find out more and make your physiotherapy appointment with Kassidy Kidd, PT, DPT. (289)-296-9887

Kassidy Kidd, PT, DPT