Supportive Therapies for Uterine Cancer Patients: Oncology Rehabilitation

Uterine Cancer Treatment: Oncology Rehabilitation

Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA) offers beneficial oncology rehabilitation and physical therapy services to help strengthen you in your fight against uterine cancer.

Our integrated team of physical, occupational, speech and massage therapists will become your team. We’ll help you implement a customized, physical fitness regimen you can follow throughout your uterine cancer treatment.

Focused on cardiovascular, flexibility and strength training, our cancer rehabilitation services are designed to help you reduce stress, prevent fatigue and improve your overall quality of life. Our rehabilitation services experts work together with uterine cancer patients to help them realize all of the physical and psychological benefits that a regular physical fitness regimen can impart.

Enabling patients to either maintain or improve their levels of physical activity is a core tenant of our approach to comprehensive uterine cancer treatment at CTCA. Even minimal exertion can help many patients realize noticeable improvements in their health and stamina. In turn, such physical activity can strengthen their immune systems and boost their tolerance to conventional uterine cancer treatments (e.g., chemotherapy, radiation therapy). Daily exercise, likewise, provides a valuable outlet for stress and anxiety, helping to psychologically motivate and inspire patients to achieve optimal wellness.

Therapy highlights include:

Evaluation

Before developing a physical therapy plan, your CTCA oncology rehabilitation team will conduct a thorough physical evaluation which includes measuring your ability to perform activities of daily living.

Physical therapy/exercise program

Our exercise programs combine range-of-motion training with other light activities, such as resistance training. Our therapists will work with you to ensure that you obtain the right amount of exercise for your needs. Designed for uterine 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.

• 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 can help uterine cancer patients relieve joint stiffness and pain and improve their 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

Manual therapy

Massage therapy is one means of manual muscle therapy offered at CTCA. If you require massage therapy as part of your uterine cancer treatment, you will first obtain a referral from either a physical or occupational therapist. Our Oncology Rehabilitation Services Department offers the following manual therapies:

• Swedish massage
• Reflexology
• Lymphedema massage
• Myofascial release

Occupational therapy

Occupational therapists help uterine cancer patients address and adapt to any physical limitations that may result from treatment. By evaluating how you interact with day-to-day surroundings, occupational therapists can offer assistance with physical mobility issues related to:

• Showering
• Dressing
• Eating
• Toileting

Speech pathology

Speech pathologists provide a dual role in the Oncology Rehabilitation Services Department. They not only offer assistance with speech therapy, but they can also troubleshoot any swallowing problems that may limit your ability to consume food. Our speech pathologists will work with our nutrition and food services staffs to thicken or puree food to the consistency you may require.

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