[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2016\/11\/about-oncology-rehab\/#Article","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2016\/11\/about-oncology-rehab\/","headline":"How Oncology Rehab Provides Relief for Cancer Patients","name":"How Oncology Rehab Provides Relief for Cancer Patients","description":"Oncology patients have unique health needs throughout treatment, but most people don\u2019t realize that physical rehabilitation can be an important way to find relief.","datePublished":"2016-11-27","dateModified":"2022-12-06","author":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/rehab","name":"UPMC Rehabilitation Institute","url":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/rehab","sameAs":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/upmc-rehabilitation-institute\/","parentOrganization":"UPMC"},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"UPMC HealthBeat","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/Cancer-Rehab.jpg","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/Cancer-Rehab.jpg","height":527,"width":773},"url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2016\/11\/about-oncology-rehab\/","about":["Cancer Care","Rehabilitation"],"wordCount":541,"keywords":["cancer care","Centers for Rehab","occupational therapy","Oncology Rehab","physical therapy","speech therapy","Treatment for Cancer Patients"],"articleBody":"What is Cancer Rehabilitation?Oncology patients have unique health needs throughout treatment and survivorship. But most people don\u2019t realize that physical rehab can be a way to find relief from side effects during their cancer journey.Physical and occupational therapists and speech-language pathologists provide cancer rehab programs to help you increase strength and build endurance.While oncologists manage your cancer treatment, rehab therapists can help relieve and treat:Balance problems.Bone health concerns.Trouble with daily activities.Fatigue.Incontinence.Joint pain.Memory problems.Numbness in hands or feet.Pain.Swallowing problems.Swelling.Walking issues.Physical Therapy for Cancer PatientsPhysical therapists keep functional goals in mind while they assess your:StrengthFlexibilityMobilityEndurance\u201cTo reduce pain and fatigue, your physical therapist will work with you to design an exercise program to meet your unique needs,” says Hallie Zeleznik, DPT, UPMC Rehabilitation Institute, says. “These exercises will help you return to a more active lifestyle.”Physical therapists are also able to help you address other problems such as:Balance and dizzy spells.Lymphedema.Pelvic pain.Incontinence.Learn more about oncology rehabilitation at UPMC Rehabilitation Institute or call 1-888-723-4277.Balance and dizzinessDuring and after cancer treatment, people commonly report issues with balance, dizziness, and walking.Physical therapists can help you regain your confidence and ability to move around your home and community safely.\u00bb Learn more about balance and vestibular rehab.Lymphedema from cancerLymphedema, or swelling, may happen during or even long after cancer treatment. Swelling often occurs in the limbs, trunk, head, and neck.Lymph vessel blockage or lymph node removal can cause this abnormal collection of fluid in the soft tissues. It can result in pain, tightness, or heaviness.Physical therapists can help reduce swelling and teach you how to manage your condition.Pelvic pain and incontinenceScar tissue, muscle spasm, or weakness from cancer treatments can cause some people to have:Internal or external pelvic pain.Sexual issues.Bladder or bowel incontinence.Physical therapists can help reduce these symptoms with exercises, gentle myofascial techniques, and education.Cancer Patients and Occupational TherapyOccupational therapists will assess your individual strength, coordination, and endurance that currently hinder your daily routine.They can design a plan to help you manage activities of daily living for your family, in your home, and at work.RELATED:\u00a0Integrative Oncology: A Holistic Approach to Cancer CareSpeech Therapy for Cancer PatientsAfter cancer treatment, our speech-language pathologists (SLPs) provide speech therapy to help you manage symptoms and side effects.Cognition and SpeechSLPs will assess and treat:Memory lapses.Problems concentrating and multitasking.A sense of disorder.Slower thought processing.Trouble recalling common words.Swallowing issues and cancerSLPs can help relieve symptoms of throat and chest cancer treatment, such as:Coughing.Drooling.A “wet, gurgly” voice.Unsafe swallowing patterns.“By having an evaluation, we will be able to pinpoint problem areas and decide which types of therapy you\u2019ll need,” Zeleznik says.She says the goals of oncology rehab are to:Reduce your pain during cancer treatment.Help you get back to your normal daily routine and activities.Make sure we’re meeting your nutrition and hydration needs.Learn more about oncology rehabilitation at UPMC Rehabilitation Institute\u00a0or call 1-888-723-4277."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"2016","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2016\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"11","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2016\/\/11\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"How Oncology Rehab Provides Relief for Cancer Patients","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2016\/11\/about-oncology-rehab\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]