Physiotherapy can improve the physical and psycho-social side effects of cancer, as it improves cardiovascular, metabolic, and immune functions.
It also helps restore pro-inflammatory/anti-inflammatory homeostasis and enhances patients' quality of life. Physiotherapy offers support in pain management. This is important because pain can make you reluctant to move or walk. For cancer patients of working age, physiotherapy can help you regain your strength to return to work.
Contribution of physical therapists in cancer care
Advanced oncology practitioners face many challenges, many of which can be address by the physiotherapist and the rehabilitation team.
Physiotherapists involved in patient care may help set clear treatment goals so that the patient has a more functional daily routine.
In physiotherapy, patients are actively involved in taking after their own bodies and are educated regarding their valuable role in maintaining optimal health and healthy lifestyle behaviors.
Many common lesions in cancer patients are musculoskeletal - an area in which physiotherapists specialize.
Another area in which physiotherapists are important is the management of cancer-related fatigue. Up to 90% of patients receiving radiotherapy and up to 80% of those receiving chemotherapy, experience fatigue. The impact of fatigue on a patient's quality of life, physical function and performance can be both profound and pervasive.
Through physiotherapy, it becomes evident to patients how to use the power of the muscular system for cell well-being, recovery of the body's defence and healing from the side effects of cancer treatment and other inflammatory conditions that may result from chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
Research has shown that exercise through physiotherapy can reduce the risk of recurrence, as well as help treat side effects such as fatigue, osteoporosis and lymphedema.
What is lymphedema?
Lymphedema is the abnormal accumulation of fluid (lymph) in some part of the body. The cause of this accumulation may be the destruction/dysfunction or removal of the corresponding lymphatics. Generally, a lymphedema occurs when there is a failure of the lymphatic system to remove the lymphatic load of the area. When cancer is diagnosed, it is necessary to determine the number of lymph nodes that have been damaged, as this could determine the severity of the cancer.
Lymph node cleansing surgery is a traumatic procedure for the lymphatic system of the affected area. The next traumatic intervention in the lymphatic system is radiotherapy. Regarding the latter, many patients ask if any therapeutic intervention is allowed during radiotherapy. Therapeutic intervention must be targeted and carefully examined, always with the guidance of the treating oncologist.
The lymphatic therapist avoids contact with the irradiated area because it is sensitive in the early stages. The method of MLD (manual lymph drainage) has positive results in the lymphatic system of the irradiated area and without the therapist having to touch the sensitive area. The swelling is drained around the periphery of the area with special techniques by the lymphatic therapist, so that it can be absorbed by the neighboring lymph nodes that are healthy. Therefore, there are no side effects in the irradiated area. On the contrary, lymphatic massage with the hands can enhance the regeneration of the lymphatic system after irradiation. Along with the reduction of local swelling, the skin and subcutaneous tissue respond better to treatment.
Factors such as fatigue, local infections and age, increase the chances of developing lymphedema. However, through physiotherapy and decongestant care for lymphedema, the patient's quality of life is improved and the treatment of cancer symptoms, as well as the side effects of his treatment, become manageable.