Cancer patients face numerous challenges and difficulties before and during treatments. Cancer and associated treatments have a significant impact on their capacity to complete daily tasks. Cancer rehabilitation facilities deliver specialized physical therapy programs to improve the quality of life for cancer patients. Through compassionate and expert methods.
Addressing Fatigue from Cancer
Treatment for cancer causes common fatigue symptoms but research demonstrates that physical activity can help reduce these effects. Cancer rehabilitation physical therapists develop specific activity programs for each patient to enhance their aerobic fitness along with strength and flexibility capabilities. Patients receive encouragement to maintain journals which track their progress to boost motivation and treatment adherence.
Effective Pain Management
Many cancer patients experience pain with their cancer. This pain could be related to the actual cancer or it could be related to the treatments that they are undergoing. This could include chemotherapy, radiation, cancer pills, and infusions. When working with your patient, keep this in mind.
Treating Radiation Fibrosis and Soft Tissue Changes
The combination of radiation therapy and surgical procedures generates alterations in skin and muscle tissues which create constriction along with scar formation and reduced muscle strength. Through hands-on intervention combined with therapeutic stretching and specific exercises Cancer physical therapists work to enhance soft tissue movement and restore normal functionality.
Addressing Osteoporosis
Some cancer treatments can cause bone loss which elevates the risk of fractures. As one of the therapists on the rehab team, you will deliver postural education and fall risk reduction strategies while they develop physical activity plans to enhance movement functionality. Patients who suffer from fractures receive education about managing their pain.
Managing Bowel, Bladder, and Sexual Dysfunction
Cancer treatments through chemotherapy and radiation produce bowel dysfunction together with bladder issues and sexual problems.
Therapists who specialize in these sensitive areas employ educational methods alongside biofeedback, specific exercises, and hands-on techniques to treat problems such as incontinence as well as constipation and diarrhea and painful intercourse. Healthcare professionals consistently treat patients respectfully while demonstrating empathy to maintain their dignity.
Treating Lymphedema
Lymphedema develops in many body parts but it can be effectively managed through prompt detection and treatment. Cancer therapists aid patients in long-term lymphedema management through hands-on techniques and education about self-care and physical activity.
A Collaborative Approach to Oncology Rehabilitation
Physical and occupational therapists join forces to maximize treatment efficiency while saving costs and delivering superior results for patients with multiple impairments. Now, you can be part of a group (CPTN) that allows you to focus on your patients and their outcome.
Leading the Way in Cancer Rehabilitation
Select medical brands provide the Cancer Rehabilitation program which stands as a leader in oncology rehabilitation. The program features trained physical and occupational therapists who work together with oncologists and patients to develop specialized treatment plans that manage pain alongside other cancer-related symptoms like fatigue and neuropathy.
These rehab centers employ physical, occupational, speech, and cognitive therapies to enable patients to recover strength and physical function while achieving comfort and independence.
How to Become a Cancer Physical Therapist
If you are interested in becoming a cancer physical therapist, you will need to take the steps that are necessary to get a Doctor of Physical Therapy or a “DPT degree”. This is a comprehensive field and will require comprehensive academics. You will need to specially train with oncology in order to specialize as a cancer physical therapist. You will have to do most or all of the following:
• First, you will need to work directly with patients that are having cancer treatments done. This will allow you the ability to get some hands-on activities and experience.
• You will need continued cancer-specific courses and workshops like those related to rehabilitation of cancer patients, managing lymphedema, and/or coursework on the management of pain in cancer patients.
• You should set a goal to get board certified in a specialty; like oncology. This demonstrates that you have a very broad and highly advanced knowledge and skill set.
• You may also want to complete a fellowship or a residency. This can actually allow you to reach a point where you get recognition as a specialist in cancer physical therapy.
What Skills and Expertise Should Cancer Physical Therapists Have?
If you want to be a cancer physical therapist, you should make sure that you have the following skills and expertise:
1. You should have a solid understanding of cancer and how it affects people. You should know about the different types of cancer and the modalities of treatments, the treatments that are given to cancer patients, and any impairments that may develop due to the cancer.
2. It is essential that you be able to successfully educate your patients and their families. You should also be able to provide patients with strategies for self-care.
3. You should know when, how and to whom cancer patients should be referred to should they mention symptoms that are beyond your scope of support.
Cancer Physical Therapists Should Engage in Professional Development
If you want to work as a cancer physical therapist, you will need to focus on professional development. This will include but is not limited to the following:
1. In the field of cancer physical therapy, you should always strive to continue your education. This is because the cancer field is one that constantly evolves. Stay up to date on the latest and the greatest in your field.
2. You should also join one or more professional organizations. These include the American Physical Therapy Association or “APTA”
3. You should always strive to engage in research associated with oncology and you should read publications. If possible, it is good to write your own articles and publications in the field, too!
What Are the Basics of entry-Level Guidelines?
There is an outline that specifies the entry level guidelines for every cancer physical therapist. The publication, “Essential Competencies for Entry Level Physical Therapist for Providing Care for Persons with Cancer”, which was developed by the APTA Oncology.
What Can Physical Therapists Treat?
If you want to specialize in cancer physical therapy, it is important to know and understand what you will be treating. It has been established that those with cancer that engage in this form of therapy. The following is what you can treat:
• Fatigue from Cancer
• Mobility Issues
• Problems with Strength and Endurance
• Any pain or numbness
• Pain that is Related
• Balance Problems
• Posture
• Issues with Scar Tissue
• Lymphedema
Special Note:
You should know and understand that your cancer patients are suffering emotionally, physically, and sometimes, cognitively. The same holds true for their loved ones. It is a career where you will face many complications – like dealing with extremely sick people and people who are dying. You must know that you yourself are sure to experience a lot of emotions when working with your clients. You will play a pivotal role in their pain management and will help to boost their outcome.
Benefits of Physical Therapy for Cancer Patients
There are many benefits to having physical therapy as a treatment for your patients who have a confirmed cancer diagnosis. This includes the following:
- The patient’s physical function will improve
- If needed, they will have lymphedema, scar tissue, and radiation fibrosis management
- Treatment for Neuropathy
- Gait and Balance training
- A boost to the patient’s emotional well-being.
- Effective management of the symptoms experienced.
- Pre-rehabilitation
- Improvements in the quality of life
- Post Rehabilitation Treatment
- Learn to conserve body energy
- Improve flexibility and mobility
- All types of exercises, including cardio, stretching, aerobic and non-aerobic, and more.
- By engaging in physical therapy, patients are less likely to need pharmaceutical and/or surgical interventions
- If a patient has nerve pain and interruptions with the nervous system, cancer physical therapy will help them.
- A collaboration occurs between the medical team and the physical therapy team.
- Individual plans are created for each patient, according to their needs.
- The exercise plan will be safe for the condition of the patient.
Join Us
If you are a physical therapist that wants to specialize in cancer rehabilitation, we encourage you to join us at Colorado Physical Therapy Network. We support physical therapists, occupational therapists, and more. We specialize in creating a group structure that helps the environment become more cooperative. We put the best forward for physicians, payors, and patients.
We work diligently to ensure that the concept of accountability. As a result of this, we have created numerous provisions that will help the way that all of us work together and do business. We are an independent Practice Association that has 130+ rehab clinics. We act as a messenger between the payers/carriers and the providers/clinic. We also offer resources for job opportunities and a unique marketplace. If you would like to learn more or you are ready to join the network, you may contact us online or you may call us at the following phone number: 303-757-7004
