FIGHTING THE EFFECTS OF CANCER WITH PHYSICAL THERAPY While the reality of facing a cancer diagnosis can be daunting, modern medicine has advanced greatly in the area of medical treatments and cures for cancer. https://evolveny.com/blogposts/2022/7/31/fighting-the-effects-of-cancer-with-physical-therapy

1. WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT ONCOLOGY PHYSICAL THERAPY
While the reality of facing a cancer
diagnosis can be daunting, modern
medicine has advanced greatly in the
area of medical treatments and cures for
cancer. Surgery, chemotherapy, radiation,
stem cell transplants, and hormone
therapies are targeted to destroy cancer
cells, but in the process of restoring
health these treatments can cause mild
to severe physical impairments. The
development of specialty oncologic
physical therapy has meant, however,
that these physical impairments can be
managed and addressed during and after
cancer treatment. This article will outline
the role that oncology physical therapy
has in restoring physical health and
quality of life for those undergoing or
who have undergone treatment for cancer.
WH AT PH YS ICAL S IDE EFFECTS CAN RES U LT FROM CAN CER TREATMEN T?
Before we discuss the types of physical therapy treatments that are available to
survivors of cancer, let’s take a look at some of the physical side effects that can result
from cancer and its treatments:
• Lymphedema: swelling caused by accumulation of lymphatic fluid in an area of the
body. This can result from a cancerous tumor blocking the flow of fluid or from
surgical removal of lymph nodes.
• Cancer-related fatigue: defined by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network
(NCCN) as a “distressing, persistent, subjective sense of physical, emotional,
and/or cognitive tiredness or exhaustion related to cancer or cancer treatment that
is not proportional to recent activity and interferes with usual functioning.” It
affects 70-80% of cancer survivors of all stages of disease and recovery.
• Balance impairments: those undergoing current or previous cancer treatment are
at higher risk for falls due to factors such as increased levels of fatigue,
chemotherapy-induced nervous system changes, and muscle weakness.
• Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy: some chemotherapy drugs can
damage the peripheral nerves that relay sensory and motor information. Muscle
weakness, numbness and uncomfortable or painful sensations in arms or legs
may develop.
• Muscle weakness, muscle atrophy and loss of stamina: this impairment has many
possible causes including cancer-related fatigue, chemo-induced neuropathy,
medication side effects, side effects of the cancer itself, and increased sedentary
behaviors.
• Radiation Fibrosis: The scarring fibrosis of tissues in an area treated with radiation
can occur immediately or years after radiation therapy, though it does not always
JULY 31, 2022
FIGHTING THE EFFECTS OF CANCER WITH
PHYSICAL THERAPY
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2. develop. Tissue shortening and skin tightening, weakening of bones, contracture
or atrophy of muscles and lymphedema can occur.
• Pain: pain can occur as a side effect of the cancer, the treatments used to treat
the cancer and as a result of changes in physical activity or mobility.
H OW CAN PH YS ICAL TH ERAPY ADDRES S TH ES E CON CERN S ?
Oncology physical therapy can help with many of the symptoms listed above. Your
physical therapist will be able to monitor your vitals and your response to therapy as
you go along. It is important to note that certain types of treatments such as
ultrasound, soft tissue mobilization, deep heat, or electrical stimulation may not be
appropriate over areas of tumor growth or healing tissues. Also, for those with
lymphedema or who are at risk for lymphedema, it is important to speak with your
physical therapist and physician about what treatments are safe and appropriate for
you. While a physical therapy program will always be individualized to meet your
specific needs, here are some of the ways oncology physical therapists may treat your
symptoms:
Manual Therapy: Hands on techniques such as soft tissue mobilization, scar
mobilization, or joint mobilization may be used to improve the movement and mobility
of muscles, skin, and joints
Strengthening: Strength training can help improve muscle weakness and atrophy to
assist you in performing your day to day activities
Flexibility: Restoring flexibility through stretching or mobility exercises can help with
pain management and improving your ability to perform functional tasks
Balance training: Balance training is essential in reducing the elevated risk for falls in
survivors of cancer.
Endurance training: Regular aerobic exercise is important to combat cancer and cancer
treatment related conditions. Your PT can prescribe you a progressive aerobic and
muscular endurance training program. You may ride a stationary bike or walk on a
treadmill, for example, for progressively longer periods as your stamina improves.
Gait training: If restoring walking ability is part of your treatment plan your PT can train
you on appropriate assistive devices and work with you to improve the safety, quality,
and endurance of walking.
Patient Education: Education is always an important part of oncology physical therapy.
Education may include information on pacing and energy conservation, on incorporating
exercise at home, on mindfulness and stress management techniques, on home
modifications, and on equipment and assistive devices.
IS EX ERCIS E S AFE FOR ME?
Before beginning an exercise program it is always important that you speak with your
oncologist and any other physicians caring for you. If your cancer or cancer treatments
have affected your bones, heart, or lungs, for example, your doctors may encourage or
restrict certain types of exercise to keep you safe and healthy.
Research has shown over and over again that engaging in regular physical activity can
reduce your likelihood of developing many types of cancer. More important for this
topic, however, is that research has also shown that regular physical activity can help
prevent and treat many cancer health related outcomes such as fatigue, anxiety,
reduced function, and quality of life. For survivors of cancer who are not currently
participating in a regular exercise program and for whom unsupervised exercise may be
unsafe, a referral to outpatient physical therapy is highly recommended.
The physical therapist will perform a thorough evaluation of your current strength,
balance, endurance, sensation, flexibility, and mobility. They will also interview you
about any concurrent medical conditions or past surgeries. Your physical therapist will
also be able to communicate with your doctors regarding any restrictions or
precautions you may have for specific types of movement or exercise and present
them with any questions or concerns that may arise throughout your plan of care.
YOU GET TH E WH OLE PACKAGE
Oncology physical therapy focuses on a whole-person approach to better health and
quality of life for survivors of cancer. While cancer may have been an unexpected
detour in your life’s path, physical therapy will create an individualized program to
address any physical impairments you have and to empower you to move better and
exercise more so that you can participate in and enjoy life to the fullest. Call Evolve PT
today and learn how we can support you on this journey to better health and better
function.
ABOU T EVOLVEN Y-
Brooklyn's Premier Holistic Physical
Therapy Clinics- There’s physical therapy,
there’s training, and then there’s
EVOLVE. We use the science of
biomechanics merged with fitness to
help our patients get better and stay
better!
First we evaluate, then we heal, then we strengthen our clients so they can reach their
goals, feel better, and live happier lives. We do so by utilizing a range of core
techniques and specialized treatments to reduce pain, improve mobility, enhance
physical strength and deal with the underlying issues, not just the pain itself.

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