Cancer Rehabilitation
A cancer diagnosis is a scary life event and it can be difficult to know how to keep active and healthy while undergoing investigations and treatment. Side effects of treatment itself can also increase the risk of other health complications both physically and psychologically. Cancer rehabilitation helps address these issues and is thus an essential part of the management and recovery following a cancer diagnosis at any point in the journey.
Flex Physiotherapist, Sarah Clarke has completed the comprehensive cancer rehabilitation course provided by PINC & STEEL International and is a certified PINC and STEEL Cancer Rehabilitation Physiotherapist. Cancer rehabilitation involves individualised care and goal setting and can include manual therapy, fatigue management and exercise therapy including clinical Pilates.
To find out more about PINC & STEEL in Australia follow the link below:
Exercise Therapy
Exercise is a safe and effective evidence-based intervention to counter the adverse physical and physiological effects of cancer and its treatment. Specifically, exercise can:
- Reduce the side effects of Cancer treatments
- Lowers the relative risk of cancer recurrence
- Lowers the relative risk of cancer-related mortality
- Increase energy levels and your general fitness
- Improve sleep
- Optimise your physical and functional recovery
- Improve your Quality of Life
- Ease pain and muscle tension
- Increase your muscle and bone strength
- Improve your posture and body confidence
If you are feeling any common symptoms of fatigue, stiffness, muscle tightness or weakness, Flex provides a safe, controlled environment to help you achieve your personal goals, and improve your quality of life and sense of wellbeing.
Exercise Guidelines and Recommendations
The Clinical Oncology Society of Australia (COSA) released a position statement in May 2018 which recommends:
- All people diagnosed with cancer should avoid INACTIVITY
- Exercise should be standard practice in cancer care as a therapy to counteract the adverse side effects of cancer treatments
- Referral to an accredited exercise physiologist or physiotherapist with experience in cancer care to provide guidance on a suitable exercise program that incorporates:
- Progressing towards, and then maintaining at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity aerobic exercise weekly (such as walking, cycling, swimming)
- Two to three resistance-based exercise sessions each week (such as Clinical Pilates, weight exercises at home or the gym).
AND
Exercise programs should be tailored to the individual’s abilities, needs and with consideration to the type of Cancer and treatment side effects. Your Physiotherapist will work closely with other medical professionals involved in your care, minimise the risk of complications and maximise benefits.
Let our Flex Cancer Rehabilitation Physiotherapists help guide you through the difficult pathway of Cancer treatment and survivorship and help you maximise your quality of life and physical function.
Flex Cancer Rehabilitation Physiotherapists consult at Flex Norwood.