Physical therapy can help a patient cope with many of the troubling, unintended side effects of cancer treatment that sometimes interfere with quality of life.

When undergoing treatment, patients may experience physical effects such as generalized pain and muscle weakness as well as a sometimes overwhelming fatigue. Additionally, pain and weakness specific to individual surgeries, swelling and/or lymphedema, and trouble with balance, coordination, and endurance can occur.

Our Living Well With Cancer program may include:

• Exercises for motion, strength, endurance, balance, or coordination;
  
• Soft tissue techniques such as myofascial release, scar massage, and trigger point massage;
• Techniques to reduce swelling such as manual lymphatic drainage, and use of compression bandages and sleeves;
• Deep breathing and relaxation techniques;
• Gait and balance training;
• Treatment for urinary incontinence (male and female);
• Aquatic exercises.

Lymphedema is a potential complication of certain cancer treatments. It can result in long-term physical, psychological, and social issues for patients. It can occur when lymph nodes are surgically removed or damaged by cancer treatments like radiation. It results in swelling of an area of the area of the body, usually related to the location of the cancer. In most cases, lymphedema affects the arms and legs, but can also occur in any part of the body. Depending upon the severity of the Lymphedema, physical or occupational therapists with specialized training can treat it with a variety of techniques that may include:

• Lymph drainage massage to reduce the congestion and improve lymph flow;
• Wrapping of the affected limb with bandages to decrease swelling and changes in tissues;
• Use of permanent compression sleeve or stocking to maintain the reduction of painful swelling and improve limb mobility.

For more information about these programs, call (603) 230-5600.