Cancer is a debilitating disease that affects millions of people worldwide. Patients often undergo rigorous treatments that can leave them feeling weak and in pain. But did you know that physiotherapy can effectively manage the side effects of cancer treatment?
Cancer treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy can cause various physical symptoms, including fatigue, muscle weakness, and joint pain. These side effects can make it difficult for patients to carry out everyday activities and reduce their quality of life.
Physiotherapy can help cancer patients manage these symptoms and improve their physical function.
The benefits of physiotherapy for cancer patients
Physiotherapists use various techniques to reduce pain and muscle tension, improve flexibility, and increase strength and endurance. These techniques can help cancer patients stay active and remain independent despite their diagnosis.
Physiotherapy for cancer patients aims to improve their physical functioning, reduce fatigue, and restore range of motion in affected areas. Physiotherapists may also provide patients with strategies to manage pain and other symptoms.
- Managing treatment-related side effects
Cancer treatments like chemotherapy can cause side effects such as fatigue, nausea, muscle weakness, and decreased physical function. However, regular exercise has been shown to help manage these side effects. Exercise can help reduce fatigue by improving cardiovascular fitness, muscle strength, and endurance, which can help patients feel less tired and more energised. Exercise can also help manage nausea by releasing endorphins, the body’s natural feel-good hormones, which can help reduce feelings of nausea and vomiting.
- Improving physical function
Cancer and chemotherapy can sometimes lead to a decline in physical function, impacting daily activities and quality of life. However, exercise can help improve bodily function during cancer treatment. Regular exercise, including aerobic exercise, resistance training, and flexibility exercises, can help maintain muscle strength, joint flexibility, and cardiovascular fitness. This can allow cancer patients to maintain their independence, perform daily activities efficiently, and enhance their overall quality of life.
- Enhancing emotional well-being
Cancer and chemotherapy can affect a patient’s mental health, increasing stress, anxiety, and depression. Exercise has been shown to impact emotional well-being during cancer treatment positively. Exercise promotes the release of endorphins, which can improve mood and reduce stress, anxiety, and depression. Regular exercise has also been associated with improved sleep quality, essential for overall well-being. Furthermore, exercise can provide a healthy outlet for coping with the emotional challenges of cancer and chemotherapy and help patients feel more resilient and empowered.
- Boosting immune function
Cancer and chemotherapy can weaken the immune system, making patients more susceptible to infections and illnesses. However, exercise has been shown to have immune-boosting effects. Regular exercise can help improve immune function by increasing the production of immune cells, enhancing their role, and reducing inflammation. This can help patients better withstand the challenges of cancer treatment and reduce the risk of infections and complications.
- Promoting long-term health
Regular exercise during cancer and chemotherapy can also have long-term health benefits. Exercise has been associated with a reduced risk of cancer recurrence and improved overall survival rates in some types of cancer. Exercise can also help manage other chronic health conditions such as obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease, which are risk factors for cancer and can impact long-term health outcomes. Incorporating exercise as a lifestyle habit during and after cancer treatment can promote better long-term health and well-being.
- Exercise during and after cancer
Dealing with cancer and undergoing chemotherapy can be physically and emotionally challenging. While cancer treatments like chemotherapy can cause various side effects, research has shown that exercise can play a crucial role in improving cancer patients’ physical and mental well-being. Exercise during cancer and chemotherapy has been found to have numerous benefits, from managing treatment-related side effects to improving the overall quality of life.
Some of the most common barriers to exercise during cancer treatment
- Lack of time
- Chemotherapy side effects
- Fatigue
- Lack of motivation and self-esteem
- Proximity or access to facilities
Hub and Spoke Health helps to overcome these barriers by bringing exercise to you. One of our directors knows first-hand how challenging it is to exercise whilst undergoing chemotherapy. The lack of time, fatigue and self-esteem issues due to hair loss means exercise often takes a back seat over other self-care priorities.
Some of the Benefits Of Exercising During/Post Chemotherapy
- Exercise reduces cancer-related fatigue
- Exercise reduces de-conditioning
- Exercise reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease
- Improves completion rates of treatment
- Exercise reduces chemotherapy-related neuropathy symptoms
Final thoughts on physiotherapy for cancer patients
Hub and Spoke Health offers mobile physiotherapy and exercise physiology services to help you on your journey to recovery. Our experienced clinicians can provide you with a customised exercise program tailored to your individual needs and can be completed in the comfort of your home. We understand the challenges of cancer treatment and aim to support and guide you every step of the way.
Book an appointment with us today! Our team of experts will lead you down the best treatment path for your recovery.
