Liver Cancer Treatment — Oncology Rehabilitation
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Oncology Rehabilitation for Liver Cancer
As part of our comprehensive approach to liver cancer treatment, Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA) offers integrated oncology rehabilitation services to improve physical fitness and patient well-being. Centering on cardiovascular, flexibility and strength training, our rehabilitation team can help liver cancer patients reduce stress, regain strength and independence, and improve overall quality of life.
The integrated rehabilitation services team at CTCA is comprised of physical therapists (PTs), occupational therapists (OTs), speech and language pathologists, and massage therapists. Working together, we try to help you realize both the physical and psychological benefits that a regular physical fitness regimen can provide during your liver cancer care.
Therapy highlights of CTCA physical rehabilitation services include:
Physical Evaluation
During your liver cancer treatment and prior to initiating therapy, the rehabilitation team at CTCA will first conduct a thorough physical evaluation. Part of this initial evaluation consists of a functional assessment that measures your ability to perform activities of daily living (ADLs).
Physical Therapy / Exercise Program
Working to ensure that patients maintain some level of physical activity is a core tenet of the CTCA approach, no matter what your current physical ability. Even the most minimal amount of exercise can help give you strength during liver cancer treatment. Regular exercise increases heart rate and muscle flexion, helping to strengthen and boost your body’s tolerance to chemotherapy and radiation treatments. Participating in daily exercise programs will also enable you to gain a sense of physical control over your condition, and will provide an outlet for stress and anxiety.
CTCA exercise programs combine range-of-motion training with other light activities, like resistance training, to provide you with the amount of exercise that’s right for you. Designed for patients capable of maintaining independent self-care, these programs will help you identify and address strength and stamina deficiencies, helping to avoid fatigue from reaching a debilitating level.
- 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 that may help relieve joint stiffness and pain, while at the same time improving your overall mobility and range-of-motion. The benefits of stretching include:
- 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
Occupational Therapy
Occupational therapists at CTCA deliver quality of life programs. By studying you as you interact with your day-to-day surroundings, occupational therapists assess physical mobility and will teach you how to address, and adapt to, any physical limitations resultant from liver cancer treatment. Quality of life programs include help with showering, dressing, eating and toileting.
Speech and Language Pathology
Speech and language pathologists provide a dual role in the rehabilitation services department. They teach speech therapy and 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. Speech and language pathologists at CTCA will work with the nutrition team and Food Services to thicken or puree food to the consistency you may require.
Manual Therapy
Massage therapy is one means of manual muscle therapy. If you require massage therapy as part of your liver 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 the rehabilitation services team at CTCA:
- Swedish Massage
- Reflexology
- Lymphedema Massage
- Myofascial Release
