Oncology Rehabilitation for Pancreatic Cancer
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Supportive Therapies for Pancreatic Cancer Patients: Oncology Rehabilitation
Pancreatic cancer and its treatment can affect your physical abilities. To address these issues, CTCA provides an Oncology Rehabilitation Program, including physical and occupational therapy, speech-language pathology, and massage therapy. The program can help you build strength and endurance, regain independence, reduce stress, and maintain the energy you need to participate in activities that are important to you.
When you arrive at CTCA, you will meet with a rehabilitation therapist for a thorough physical evaluation prior to beginning pancreatic cancer treatment. Part of this initial evaluation consists of a functional assessment, in which your therapist measures your ability to perform activities of daily living (ADLs). Then, you and your therapist will work together to develop a rehabilitation plan designed to meet your individual needs.
Your rehabilitation plan may include therapeutic exercises and neuromuscular training, as well as cardiovascular, flexibility and strength training. For instance, your rehabilitation therapist may provide an individualized exercise program that combines range-of-motion training with light resistance exercises. These therapeutic exercises aim to minimize cancer-related fatigue and optimize your physical function, safety, and well-being.
Your rehabilitation therapist may also recommend auriculotherapy, a non-invasive form of electrical stimulation to the external ear. This technique can help treat a wide variety of pancreatic cancer symptoms, including fatigue and nausea.
Throughout your pancreatic cancer treatment, your rehabilitation therapist will consult regularly with you and your care team to help improve your physical functioning and sense of well being.
Our rehabilitation team also provides an educational component to help you understand the physical and psychological benefits of physical restoration, and to help prepare you and your family for continuing the program at home.
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