Physical Therapy and Cancer

By La Plata Physical Therapy, Inc.

La Plata Physical Therapy, Inc.

. http://www.laplatapt.com/

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Physical Therapy and Cancer

Cancer can have a profound effect on many systems of the body. It is necessary to seek the services of a broad team of health professionals during treatment. One team member should be a physical therapist, who can assist in many ways, from fatigue, to pain, to inflammation and restoration of function.

Fatigue is a common feeling after a course of medical treatment for cancer. Because of fatigue, a person may not want to take part in his or her normal schedule, or even some activities of daily living, such as cooking or cleaning. Often, inactivity can result in loss of strength and deconditioning. Here is a key area where physical therapy can help. Physical therapists are movement specialists. We partner with our patients to develop a home exercise program to increase strength and endurance, and find the most ideal movement patterns for each individual.

Another area where physical therapists can help is cancer-related pain. Cancer pain can come from different sources, from direct invasion to procedural and treatment side effects. Pain from cancer can be acute, such as is experienced during tumor removal, amputation, or limb-sparing surgery, or it can be chronic, such as pain from metastases over time. Here, physical therapists are part of a multidisciplinary treatment plan, and work in close partnership with the patient and other healthcare professionals to address the experience of pain.

Certain types of cancer damage the body’s ability to drain fluid back into the bloodstream. In particular, cancer leading to removal of lymphatic tissue can have a lasting effect. In these cases, such as with a mastectomy, excess fluid accumulates in one or both arms or legs, leading to swelling called lymphedema. Without proper control, this swelling has a large impact on daily life. Physical therapists specialized in treatment of lymphedema guide excess fluid through other channels in the body to return to the circulatory system, while developing a plan to manage the swelling over a long-term basis.

If you feel you may benefit from the addition of a physical therapist to your health care team, speak with your doctor. Consider also that Maryland is a direct-access state, which means you do not need a referral to visit a therapist. While you may want to check with your insurance provider first, direct access may be a good option to initiate a plan of care.