Gallbladder Cancer Treatment: Oncology Rehabilitation

Oncology Rehabilitation for Gallbladder Cancer

Integrating physical therapy into your gallbladder cancer treatment plan can be a valuable way to help reduce stress, prevent fatigue and improve your overall quality of life. Our Oncology Rehabilitation program at Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA) offers cardiovascular, flexibility and strength training to help you in your fight against gallbladder cancer.

At CTCA, you will benefit from the expertise of an integrated team of physical therapists (PTs), occupational therapists (OTs), massage therapists, as well as speech-language pathologists. Working alongside you, we'll help you to implement regular exercise and physical fitness during your gallbladder cancer treatment.

Oncology Rehabilitation at CTCA includes the following:

Evaluation

Before integrating a physical therapy regimen into your gallbladder cancer treatment, our rehabilitation team will first conduct an initial evaluation of your physical capabilities, including your ability to perform activities of daily living (ADLs).

Physical therapy/exercise program

Daily exercise helps strengthen the body, as well as provides an emotional outlet for stress and anxiety. Exercise—even minimal physical exertion—increases heart rate and muscle flexion, while boosting your body’s tolerance to gallbladder cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy and radiation. Daily exercise can give you a way to establish a level of physical control over your condition, and instill you with the motivation and the drive for optimal wellness.

At CTCA, our exercise programs combine range-of-motion training with other light activities, like resistance training, to provide you with the right amount of exercise. Designed for gallbladder cancer 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.

Manual therapy

Massage therapy is one means of manual muscle therapy. If you require massage therapy as part of your gallbladder 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 highly trained and experienced Oncology Rehabilitation Team:

• Swedish massage
• Reflexology
• Lymphedema massage
• Myofascial release

Occupation therapy

Occupational therapists deliver quality-of-life programs to you, should you require assistance. By studying you as you interact with your day-to-day surroundings, our occupational therapists assess your physical mobility. They then teach you how to address, and adapt to, any physical limitations you may have as a result from conventional gallbladder cancer treatment. Some of the quality-of-life programs we offer address showering, dressing, eating and toileting.

Speech pathology

Speech pathologists provide a dual role in the Oncology Rehabilitation Department, as they teach speech therapy and help you to troubleshoot any swallowing problems that may limit your ability to consume food. If left untreated, an improper swallowing mechanism can create a condition known as aspiration—when food falls into the lung. In such cases, speech pathologists work with Nutrition and Food Services to thicken or puree food to the consistency you may require.

Next Topic: Spiritual Support for Gallbladder Cancer Patients