Cancer is an incontinent illness that is referred to as abnormal cells in the body. It can start anywhere in the body and spread to other parts of the body. When the cell division process in the human body breaks and abnormal cells grow, they produce tumors. Tumors are lumps of tissues that may be cancerous. They affect every body part, including muscles, organs, and bones. The common types of cancers are bladder cancer, lung cancer, breast cancer, skin cancer, thyroid cancer, colon cancer, and prostate cancer.
The treatment options of cancer include chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation therapy. But, physical therapy also has a significant role in the treatment of cancer. Physical therapy medical treatment starts based on the signs and symptoms. Sometimes cancer signs and symptoms discovered during medical screening depend on the type of cancer. The most common facing symptoms are
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Numbness
- Weight loss
- Pain
- Unusual bleeding
- Nagging cough
- Skin changes
- Headaches
- Change in the bladder.
However, the side effects include muscle weakness, loss of endurance, loss of balance, swelling of legs, face, or arms, difficulty walking, heart problem, weight gain, heart problem, joint stiffness, etc.
Physical Therapy in Cancer Patients
Due to the side effects described above, patients decline their daily living and quality of life. They may fall into depression and anxiety. Physical therapy is a comprehensive approach that can help cancer patients regain their strength and improve the quality of life they lost due to surgery, radiation therapy, or chemotherapy. Physical therapy can increase the corporal function (such as weakness, swelling, muscle tightness, joint stiffness, and fatigue) of cancer patients, whether children or adults.
Physical therapists will understand the symptoms and find the unique treatment that helps cancer patients recover fast on their own and stay active. Physical therapists often suggest exercises to enhance a patient’s possibilities of surviving cancer. Exercises will increase the bodily activities of patients that help reduce many cancer-related issues. It can also help reduce fatigue, improve mood, and boost self-confidence. The exercises include:
- Stretching
- Aerobic Exercising
- Resistance Training
Stretching includes flexibility exercises that can help cancer patients to maintain their mobility. The stretches that benefit cancer patients include shoulder stretch, triceps stretch, biceps stretch, quadriceps stretch, calf stretch, hamstrings stretch, and lower-back stretch.
Cancer patients may decrease their capacity to process oxygen. Aerobic exercises that include jogging, walking, running, and swimming help them regain their quality of life and improve energy levels before or after cancer treatment. It will help out lessen the complexities of cancer and improve aerobic capacity.
Research has found that exercising and resistance training is the ablest way of stopping cancer. Many people gain fat due to treatment so, resistance training can be advantageous for them. However, it includes weight lifting and isomeric exercising.
Are you facing cancer? Get physiotherapy services Frisco, TX. The physical therapist can improve your:
Comfort & Well-Being
Physical therapists may apply electrical simulations to comfort your pain and reduce symptoms, including cramps, weakness, spasms, numbness, etc.
Bone Density
Weakening of bones can occur due to cancer treatments or lack of activity. Physical therapy exercises can maintain bone strength to prevent bone fractures.
Lymphedema
Cancer treatments can result in swelling in your arms and legs. Physical therapists use special techniques to control and reduce swelling. These techniques or methods may include exercises, gentle massage, and special movements. They may also suggest compressive coverings such as leg stockings and arm sleeves.
Depression
Physical therapy exercises can reduce depression in cancer patients and cancer survivors. Cancer treatments and lack of activity can be anxious in patients that cause severe changes in mood. Physical exercises such as stretching and resistance training can help lessen stress and improve mood.
