Physical Therapy After Chemotherapy Treatment
When you think of physical therapy, you probably think of something people need when they’ve been injured in a car accident or a sport. And when you think of chemotherapy, you likely think of cancer treatment. But did you ever think that the two could go together? Many people don’t think about that!
Let’s first delve into the side effects of chemotherapy.
Chemotherapy Side Effects
The side effects of chemotherapy are unfortunately too many to count. It can impact any of the 11 systems in the human body, which are:
- Endocrine System
- Skeletal system
- Integumentary system
- Immune system
- Muscular system
- Reproductive system
- Digestive system
- Nervous system
- Cardiovascular system
- Lymphatic system
- Respiratory System
So you can see, as much good as chemo does with killing cancer cells, it can also wreak havoc on other parts of the body. That’s where physical therapy comes into play.
How Can Physical Therapy Help With Chemo Treatment?
When it comes to the nervous system in particular, physical therapy can help ease some of the negative drawbacks of chemotherapy. According to Healthline, “Chemo drugs can also cause a variety of other issues with your nervous system based on which nerves are damaged. Symptoms can include:
- lack of balance
- weakness
- seizures
- numbness or tingling in the hands and feet, known as peripheral neuropathy
- erectile dysfunction
- slower reflexes
Unsteadiness and difficulty balancing also increase your risk of falling. Working with an occupational or physical therapist may help you improve your motor skills and coordination.
ChoosePT.com provides an even more extensive list of those areas where physical therapy may provide relief, explaining that:
Cancer and the side effects of treatment can cause physical problems, such as:
- Pain
- Numbness, tingling, and/or reduced feeling in your arms and legs.
- Blockage in the lymphatic system (lymphedema). This blockage can lead to swelling in your arms, legs, shoulders, hands, fingers, chest, or neck.
- Muscle weakness.
- Joint stiffness.
- Fatigue.
- Loss of endurance.
- Loss of bone density (bone strength).
- Difficulty moving or walking.
- Chronic risk of losing your balance.
- Weight gain or weight loss.
- Cognitive changes (brain fog).
- Heart problems.
- Shortness of breath or breathing difficulties.
As you can see, the vast majority of those issues above can be addressed by your physical therapist.
Physical Therapy to Help With Chemotherapy
Do you or a loved one live in or around the Irving, Texas area and need relief or support related to the symptoms of chemotherapy? Our team at Physical Therapy NOW can help with a plan to support your specific needs, directly addressing the areas of the side effects of chemo unique to you.. Call us today to schedule your first appointment at (214) 225-0291.
