Physiotherapy Is A Priceless Friend For A Better Quality Of Life With Cancer

What Does Physiotherapy Treat?

It should be noted right away that the physiotherapy professional does not treat cancer. Chestermere Medical Clinic Its main objective is to allow the patient to recover the maximum of his physical capacities after the treatment so that he is independent and can continue his daily activities and his hobbies.

The problems on which the physiotherapy professional can intervene are numerous. However, it is important to mention that they will not necessarily be experienced by all patients.

Physiotherapy Present At Every Stage Of The Treatment

Depending on the patient’s symptoms and condition, the physiotherapy professional may intervene at different stages of treatment. His interventions vary a lot and differ from one individual to another.

Before Treatment

From a preventive point of view, the physiotherapy professional may see the patient before he begins his treatment. He will then help him prepare his body to reduce the risk of injury or pain.

For example, the patient may need to keep their arm in the air (raised) during their radiation therapy treatment. The physiotherapy professional must then ensure that the patient has the amplitude necessary to perform this movement and repeat it easily throughout the treatment.

During Treatment

Depending on the patient’s condition, the physiotherapy professional may also intervene during the treatment. It then helps to relieve pain and prevent certain injuries as well as deconditioning.

After Treatment

The most important role of the physiotherapy professional is certainly after the treatment of the patient. He ensures that the latter has the capacity to resume his daily activities and he supports him in this process. He educates and reassures him.

How Does Physiotherapy Help The Patient?

Relieve and treat

First, the physiotherapy professional can help relieve certain conditions of his patient such as pain or muscle and joint stiffness due to scar adhesions or bad positions taken during treatment or following surgery. . He then uses different treatment modalities such as manual therapy techniques, myofascial therapy, soft tissue treatment (massage techniques), etc. He may also teach his patient an exercise program to aid long-term recovery.

For loss of balance and vertigo, vestibular rehabilitation is very effective in understanding the source of the problem and solving it. As for perineal and pelvic rehabilitation, it can be very effective in the treatment of incontinence and pelvic pain.

Educate

Physiotherapy professionals who practice with cancer patients favor what is called “self-management”, that is to say the patient’s autonomy in his treatment. The physiotherapy professional therefore spends time educating and sensitizing his patient so that he is able to put in place mechanisms that will help him maintain his autonomy on a daily basis (pain management, good posture, etc.) . Understanding the problems and their origins is very important to enable the patient to regain control of their life and adopt the right behavior.

The Perspective Of The Oncology Physiotherapy Professional

The physiotherapy professional is never alone and is always part of a team of health professionals (doctor, oncologist, surgeon, radiologist, occupational therapist, dietitian, etc.) who intervene on different levels. It is an interdisciplinary team work and each spoke of this big wheel is essential for the good recovery of the patient.

The physiotherapy professional who works in oncology must always look at his patient as a whole and must be attentive to his condition and the progress of his treatment. Caution and listening are therefore required with this clientele, because the treatment must be safe above all.

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