Exercise Therapy is starting to play an integral role as part of the protocol for cancer patients undergoing medical treatment. With Oncologists, Medical and Wellness specialists leading the way, customized exercise prescriptions by qualified Fitness Professionals has paved the way forward to a more holistic approach to treating the disease.
Regular exercise habits have been proven time after time to minimize side effects of the medications, treatments, and from the condition itself. Exercising will also enhance the effectiveness of the prescribed treatments as well as reduce the likelihood of disease recurrence.
For patients who are given the green light to exercise, many face the common problem of not knowing where to start, how to safely progress, and how to prevent many of the complications associated with cancer treatment. Our exercise professionals have expertise training cancer patients and are able to assess your condition to provide a safe and effective exercise program tailored to you.
The Benefits of Exercise for a Cancer Patient
The benefits of exercise during treatment include:
- Increased energy
- Improved treatment tolerance
- Decreased pain
- Decreased depression
- Better sleep
- Improved self-esteem/self-confidence
- Prevent weight gain and obesity
- Prevent and manage lymphedema
- Prevent cancer cachexia
- Maintain independence
- Improved balance and strength
- Makes treatment more effective at destroying cancer cells
Train with our Fitness Professionals
Our Cancer Exercise Specialists are certified by the Cancer Exercise Training Institute (CETI). Since 2004, CETI has trained over 10,000 health and fitness professionals and have directly impacted the lives of thousands of cancer patients through the development of competent Trainers and Coaches who possess the knowledge and experience to train and guide patients through the adoption of a regular exercise routine before, during and after their treatment.
Our Cancer Exercise Specialist can help YOU regain control of your life and body at a time where you may feel you have no control over things.
Restoring Mobility & Building Cardiovascular Strength
Traditionally, at least in Asia, it is a common advice for patients to reduce physical activities while undergoing treatment for cancer. While this advice correctly holds true when activity causes pain and other serious symptoms, too much rest can lead to muscle weakness, reduced range of motion, and the loss of certain body functions effecting the patient’s Activities of Daily Living. We are now learning the advantages of being physically active during and after treatment and now see the advantages of how certain exercises like an aerobic training program can help bring a patient out of chronic fatigue, a symptom often faced by patients which no amount of rest can cure.
MAT PILATES & REFORMER
Perhaps one of the more effective exercise options for cancer patients is working out with Pilates. Cancer patients who regularly practice Pilates have benefitted in terms of improved balance and strength, and reported a decrease in fatigue and nausea.
In a 2017 Study published by the Journal of Breast Health, practicing Pilates has also been shown to benefit breast cancer patients in terms of greater improvements in quality of life as they experience better upper extremity functions, as well as milder symptoms of lymphedema.
STRETCHING THERAPY
Regular Stretching benefits and improves physical wellbeing in a variety of ways. For cancer patients going through treatment or post-operative patients, passive stretching performed by our Stretching Therapist will assist in the reduction of muscle stiffness to improve range of motion, and reduction of muscle tension to encourage muscle relaxation and stress alleviation.
Our Stretching Therapy Sessions will range anywhere between 30-minutes and 90-minutes depending on the outcome of the initial assessment. Our Therapist will take into account the patient’s cancer type, treatment options, patient demographics and medical background before coming up with tailored programs that are unique to each patient’s condition.
