Benefits of Prehabilitation:

A comprehensive evaluation will be completed and include: medication and medical history review, balance assessment, postural assessment, joint mobility assessment, manual muscle testing, cardiovascular assessment and functional mobility testing. 

Evaluation:

A multi-faceted approach is used based on your needs and may include strengthening or stretching to get you ready for surgery, education about energy conservation techniques or strategies on how to avoid or minimize side effects of treatment.

Based on the results of the evaluation you will be given therapeutic exercises, respiratory exercises, educational material, family/caregiver training, specialized manual therapy techniques  and/or edema prevention strategies.

Prehabilitation looks at your physical well being prior to receiving any cancer treatment. The Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Board Review states that “Rehabilitation of a patient with cancer should begin when disability is anticipated, rather than after it has occurred”. Since it is known that oncology treatments can cause many side effects, it is advantageous to be in the best physical condition prior to treatment and to be educated about what to expect and how you can minimize any potential problems.




 

Prehabilitation Physical Therapy

Personalized Exercise Programs

Your reactions to various types of exercise will be closely monitored and your program will be altered regularly as needed.  We will meet in person, in the clinic, in the privacy of your home or via zoom for weekly or bi-weekly exercise instruction. Based on the results of the evaluation you will be given hands on manual treatment, strengthening exercises, stretching exercises, cardiovascular exercise, and respiratory exercises.

The latest research shows the importance of exercise in cancer management and treatment. But deciding what type of exercise, the frequency of exercise, the intensity of exercise and when to avoid or stop certain types of exercise can be overwhelming and is best determined by a trained medical professional in oncology. An exercise program is beneficial prior to treatment, during treatment and especially after treatment.

A comprehensive evaluation will be done including; full medical history assessment, cardiovascular assessment, balance assessment, strength assessment, and neuromuscular assessment. 

Evaluation:

Benefits of Exercise:

Balance Program

Cancer treatments may cause damage to your nerves resulting in chemo induced neuropathy, vestibular issues, loss of muscle mass, changes to connective tissue resulting in decreased joint health or joint pain and a decline in bone strength. All of these changes can affect your balance and put you at an increased risk for falls. 

If you have any pre-existing medical conditions that affected your balance prior to a cancer diagnosis, then balance training is even more important for your safety and well being. 



 

Evaluation:

A thorough balance evaluation will be performed looking at your complete medical history, reflexes, vision, strength, mobility, range of motion, ability to safely navigate obstacles and to walk on a variety of surfaces and inclines.




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Benefits of Balance Training

Once the assessment is completed, you will be given specific balance exercises, strengthening exercises, stretching exercises, neuromuscular training, specialized manual therapy, and strategies to help you manage any neuropathies or pain.

Breast Cancer Rehabilitation

Today’s conventional breast cancer treatments of surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, hormone therapy and immunotherapy have significantly increased the survival of cancer patients. However these treatments also can cause many side effects such as axillary cording, decreased shoulder mobility, scar tissue adhesions, pain, swelling, cardiovascular changes and chemo-induced neuropathy that affect patients’ quality of life.

A comprehensive evaluation will be performed that includes: a medical history and medication review, skin assessment, girth measurements, muscle testing, cardiac assessment, joint mobility measurements, and postural assessment. 

Evaluation:

Benefits of Breast Cancer Rehabilitation

The majority of patients with breast cancer experience at least one of these physical impairments. Physical therapy can help to improve your condition when started prior to breast cancer treatment, during cancer treatment and even months or years after cancer treatment. 

Once the evaluation is completed, treatment will be initiated and include manual therapy to improve scar tissue mobility or to decrease axillary cording, joint mobilization techniques, education, therapeutic exercises, edema management and cupping to improve myofascial mobility.

Head And Neck Cancer Rehabilitation

Patients with Head and Neck Cancer often require surgery, radiation, chemotherapy and/or immunotherapy. These treatments frequently cause side effects such as edema of the neck and head, limited neck mobility, limited shoulder mobility, scar tissue adhesions, difficulty eating or swallowing, speech problems, TMJ problems, weight loss, fatigue, balance issues, and decreased muscle mass. 






 

Evaluation:

During the first session a thorough evaluation is completed that involves a medical history and medication review, neck and shoulder mobility assessment, edema assessment, strength testing, cardiovascular assessment, wound assessment, balance assessment, cranial nerve assessment, and functional mobility assessment. 





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Benefits of Head and
Neck Rehabilitation

Physical therapy can help before cancer treatment starts, during treatment and weeks or months following treatment. Patients often experience a few or many of these common side effects that can be greatly reduced with PT treatments such as: lymphatic drainage massage, cervical and shoulder joint mobilizations, soft tissue mobilizations to the neck, shoulder and trunk, scar tissue massage, KT taping, cupping, strengthening, aerobic conditioning, and plenty of education for patients, family members and friends. 

Lymphatic Drainage Massage

Manual lymphatic drainage helps to improve the natural swelling that occurs after surgery, the increased swelling that may occur with the removal of few or many lymph nodes, the swelling that may result in the region of radiated skin or from some types of chemotherapy. Regardless of the cause of swelling, the sooner the excess swelling is removed the faster one heals and the chance for complications is reduced. 

This treatment is most effective when provided by someone who has been certified in lymphatic therapy and who understands the intricacies of the lymphatic system. 

During the first visit, a thorough medical history and medication review is completed, the skin and area of swelling are evaluated, girth measurements are taken, joint mobility is assessed, and a cardiovascular assessment is done. 

Evaluation:

Benefits of Manual
Lymphatic Massage:

Breathing techniques are first initiated, followed by specific manual techniques that improve soft tissue and joint mobility and finally gentle manual lymphatic techniques are administered to improve the efficiency of the lymphatic system.

Lymphatic drainage massage may begin prior to surgery or a few weeks to months following surgery and during certain points of radiation treatment. Education is an important piece of this treatment and each patient and/or family member is taught manual techniques that can be done at home.