Esophageal Cancer Treatment – Physical Therapy

Physical Therapy for Esophageal Cancer

As part of our comprehensive approach to esophageal cancer treatment, Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA) offers rehabilitation services to promote a physical fitness regimen for you. Consisting of cardiovascular, flexibility and strength training, our rehabilitation services are designed to help strengthen your body in its fight against cancer by reducing stress, preventing fatigue and improving overall quality of life.

Equipped with an integrated team of physical therapists (PTs), occupational therapists (OTs), and speech and massage therapists, the rehabilitation services team strives to help our oncology patients realize the physical and psychological benefits of incorporating regular physical exercise into their esophageal cancer treatment.

Therapy highlights include the following:

Evaluation

Prior to initiating your therapy, the rehabilitation team will conduct a thorough physical evaluation, including a functional assessment, which measures your ability to perform activities of daily living (ADLs).

Physical Therapy/Exercise Program

A core tenet of our healing philosophy at CTCA is that exercise—even minimal physical exertion—can help strengthen you during your esophageal cancer treatment. Regular exercise increases heart rate and muscle flexion, while boosting your body’s tolerance to conventional treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation. Participating in daily exercise programs will enable you to gain a sense of physical control over your body, provide an outlet for stress and anxiety, and instill you with the motivation and drive for optimal wellness.

Combining range-of-motion training with other light activities, like resistance training, our exercise programs can be customized to your unique esophageal cancer treatment needs. Designed for patients capable of maintaining independent self-care, these programs will help you identify and address strength and stamina deficiencies, before your fatigue increases to debilitating levels.

Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE): The Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion helps therapists determine the intensity of exercise you can tolerate. The scale ranges from 6 (no exertion at all) to 20 (maximal exertion). Since the condition of each person is unique, the Borg system measures “exercise” as any activity that increases heart rate. Most people achieve 65 to 75 percent of their maximum heart rate during exercise.

Flexibility Program: Stretching is a beneficial activity you may engage in to relieve joint stiffness and pain, at the same time improving your overall mobility and range of motion. The benefits of stretching include the following:

• Enhancement of performance in everyday activities
• Improvement of mobility and independence
• Improvement and maintenance of posture and muscle balance
• Injury prevention
• Promotion of physical and mental relaxation

Manual Therapy

Massage therapy is one means of manual muscle therapy. If you require massage therapy as part of your esophageal cancer treatment, you will first obtain a referral from either a physical or occupational therapist. The following list details the various forms of manual therapies you may receive from rehabilitation services at CTCA facilities:

• Swedish massage
• Reflexology
• Lymphedema massage
• Myofascial Release

Occupation Therapy

Our occupational therapists deliver quality-of-life programs for esophageal cancer patients. By studying you as you interact with your day-to-day surroundings, our occupational therapists assess your physical mobility and teach you how to address—and adapt to—any physical limitations that may result from esophageal cancer treatment.

Quality-of-life programs include:

• Showering
• Dressing
• Eating
• Toileting

Speech Pathology

At CTCA, speech pathologists teach speech therapy and help you troubleshoot any problems that may limit your ability to swallow or consume food. This includes working to treat and prevent improper swallowing mechanisms such as aspiration. Our speech pathologists can also work our Nutrition and Food Service staffs to thicken or puree food to the consistency you may require.

Next Topic: Spiritual Support for Esophageal Cancer