Physical Therapy as a Complementary Treatment for Lymphoma


Cancer treatments can leave patients feeling fatigued, weak, less flexible, and off balance. A physical therapist can assist patients in restoring their health during and after their treatment program. By helping you develop an exercise regimen along with manual techniques (including massage) a physical therapist can help to improve your overall quality of life and make treatment for lymphoma and other cancers much more bearable.

Issues Associated with Cancer and Cancer Treatments

  • Fatigue
  • Weakness
  • Diminished Cardiovascular Health
  • Reduced Bone Density
  • Swelling
  • Lymphedema
  • Poor Balance
  • Peripheral Neuropathy
  • Decreased Flexibility

Developing an Exercise Plan
Having an appropriate exercise regimen developed by a professional can go a long way in restoring quality of life and helping to recover to optimal health. Steroids, chemotherapy, and abnormal blood counts can lead to fatigue and, subsequently, weakness and diminished cardiovascular health. Exercise can help to restore energy levels, strength, and improve cardiovascular health.

Chemotherapy and cancer can lead to a decrease in bone density. Safe weight-bearing exercises such as walking, hiking, jogging, and climbing stairs can aid in building up bone density. A physical therapist can provide you with information on how to this without damaging your joints or other vulnerable areas.

Loss of muscle mass and strength can result in poor balance. Chemotherapy can also cause a condition called peripheral neuropathy. Peripheral neuropathy can cause numbness in the extremities, which can lead to balance issues. A physical therapist can develop a plan for you improve your sensory awareness and stability, resulting in improved balance.

Manual Techniques Performed by a Physical Therapist
Surgery and chemotherapy can cause swelling. Removal of the lymph nodes can cause a swelling issue called lymphedema. A physical therapist can assess the swelling and administer the proper manual techniques that are suitable for your particular swelling issues.

Lack of activity from fatigue or swelling from surgery can also result in a lack of flexibility. Physical therapists can use a variety of techniques to loosen connective tissue and stretch your muscles to improve flexibility.

Massage has also been shown to have many positive effects in complementary cancer treatments. It can assist in reducing stress and pain, and it can help restore freedom of movement and reduce swelling.

If you or someone you love is being treated for lymphoma or another form of cancer, physical therapy can be an excellent complementary treatment in dealing with symptoms of cancer or side effects from the cancer treatments. For more information about complementary treatments for lymphoma and other cancers and how Access Physical Therapy & Wellness can help, please visit http://accessptw.com/ or contact us today.

 

Resources:
http://www.seattlecca.org/who-can-benefit-from-physical-therapy.cfm
https://www.cancercompass.com/cancer-treatment/physical-therapy.htm

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