Services
Oncology Rehab Exercise
Exercise Rehabilitation for Cancer Recovery
Cancer treatments such as chemotherapy, radiation, surgery, and immunotherapy can impact strength, energy, mobility, and overall quality of life. Evidence shows that guided exercise can help improve physical and psychological well-being and support recovery through and after treatment.
Our Approach at Joint Rehab
At Joint Rehab, our physiotherapists design safe, individualized exercise programs to support you before, during, and after cancer treatment. Care may also include education, movement guidance, and manual therapy techniques to improve comfort, function, and recovery. We work in collaboration with your healthcare team to ensure your program is appropriate and safe.
What It Can Help With
Oncology rehabilitation can help with fatigue, lymphedema, muscle weakness, reduced mobility, weight changes, neuropathy, sleep disturbances, mood changes, and reduced bone density.
This list is not exhaustive, and care is tailored to your individual needs and medical guidance.
Important Note
Exercise should always be guided by your healthcare team. Please consult your oncologist or physiotherapist before starting any program.
The Benefits of Exercise
General Exercise Recommendation:
- Frequency: 3-5 days/week
- Intensity: moderate- 60-80% of max heart rate
- Time: Starting Goal: 5-20mins Target Goal: 35 – 60mins
- Type: Interval training (combination of aerobic and strength training)
*Please note that these are suggested guidelines.
Consult your oncologist and/or physiotherapist prior to starting any exercise program. Your physiotherapist can prescribe a safe and appropriate exercise program tailored to your individual needs.
The Benefits of Exercise
- Improvement in the quality of life during and after treatment
- Improvement in the tolerance of cancer treatment
- Improvement in physical function
- No increased onset of lymphedema associated with breast cancer
- Improvements in body composition
- Protection from loss of bone mineral density
- Reduction in cancer related fatigue
- Reduction in sleep disturbances
- Improvements in mood, and self-esteem
- Reduced anxiety and depression
Exercise if you are able pre-cancer treatment, during treatment, post-treatment and also for cancer prevention.
Things To Remember
- Physical activity can boost your energy levels
- Regular exercise improves functioning of the immune system and may increase survival rates in some cases
- Aim to exercise 3-5 days/wk
- Set realistic goals for yourself. For example, you may start exercising for 5 mins and then increase the time by 1min during your next exercise session.
Where To Get Help
Speak to your oncologist and book an appointment at Joint Rehab. Our physiotherapist will design an exercise program for your individual needs. Treatment may also include manual therapy techniques to aid in your recovery. See lymphedema page for more information.
Facinating Facts: Do you know?
Exercise and Breast Cancer Survival: A study followed participants diagnosed with breast cancer from 1984-1998 to 2002: Results:
- Increased survival by 20-50% with any physical activity volume greater than 3 met-hrs/wk
- Decreased rate of Breast Cancer Recurrence by 20-40%
Exercise and Colorectal Cancer Survival: A study followed participants diagnosed with Colorectal Cancer between 1986-2002 to 2004: Results:
- Increased survival by 61% with physical activity volume 18 met-hrs/wk compared to <3met-hrs/wk
- Increasing physical activity from pre- to post-diagnosis decreased colorectal cancer mortality by approximately 50%.
Exercise and Prostate Cancer:A study followed participants diagnosed with prostate cancer between 1990 and 2008: Results:
- 49% reduction in all-cause mortality with >3 hrs/wk vs. <1hr/wk of vigorous physical activity
- 61% reduction in prostate cancer-specific mortality with >3hrs/wk vs. <1hr/wk of vigourous physical activity