Exercise can help Cancer Related Fatigue – Official!!

“You know when you’ve had a really hard day at work, and you flop down on the settee in front of the telly at the end of the day……if the phone rings across the other side of the room, you might feel so tired that you choose to ignore it.  But, if you smelt burning from the kitchen and saw black smoke you would be able to jump up and go and find out what’s going on…….well, the way I am feeling at the moment, if that was me, I think I would have to take my chances with the fire, as I have absolutely no energy reserves left, I have nothing!” 

Cancer Related fatigue (CRF) as describe above by a patient of mine a few years ago is a very common side effect of cancer or cancer treatment.  It is suggested that most people undergoing treatment for cancer will at some stage experience a degree of CRF.  In my experience I would have to say I think everyone who has cancer or is having treatment will suffer with CRF at some stage throughout their treatment journey.  It can happen during or after treatment and can persist for weeks, months even years for some people.   It can affect every single aspect of a person’s life – every day activities, hobbies, work and social life, and can have a detrimental effect on their wellbeing and state of mind.   CRF can be quite debilitating, but the good news is that help is available, and it can be alleviated.   A physio is typically the last person on earth that a patient feeling fatigued would want to see, but actually, we are probably one of the most important members of the cancer rehabilitation team when it comes to treating CRF.  We are able to assess a person’s individual level of fitness and activity and prescribe an appropriate activity or exercise programme to help that person break the vicious cycle of CRF.  It’s all about finding a balance between having the right amount of rest (which is important to enable the body to repair and recover from the treatments) and the right amount of activity, which will maintain and improve muscle strength and  cardiovascular fitness.  As these improve so too do energy levels meaning that fatigue is reduced. 

A research review (here) paper was published last week, which confirms everything  that us physio’s have always known…..that if you have CRF then rest is most definitely not best!    

Physiotherapy in Cancer Care

The term Cancer describes a multitude of complex diseases each with its own distinct nature and course. Traditionally the focus of cancer treatments have been primarily medical, with the strive to increase survival from the disease being the main driver. Whilst survival and longevity are no doubt the focus for everyone who has a diagnosis of cancer, survivorship and rehabilitation are also very important. These 2 words encompassing what it means to live with the consequences of the disease or its treatment and for life to return to a semblance of normality. People who have been diagnosed with cancer often present with a myriad of complex problems which occur as a direct result of the disease itself or of the treatments which they have undergone. Physiotherapy has a key role to play in the management of people with cancer throughout all stages of the disease, from diagnosis, through medical treatment, into remission and even in the later stages of the disease.
Within the context of cancer care, the primary goal of physiotherapy is to assist the cancer survivor to be able to live their life as fully as possible, by assisting them to achieve their goals whatever they are and to enable them to have a degree of control over their lives and a greater quality of life.
Research Studies have shown that Exercise and activity is effective in alleviating many of the longer term side effects of cancer treatment, such as fatigue, reduced function, depression and anxiety, decreased fitness and strength etc.  Also, those cancer survivors who are physically active can reduced their risk of the cancer recurring, and hence the risk of dying from the cancer by up to 50%.
People who have cancer may present with some of the following common problems as a result of their disease or as a consequence of the treatment they have undergone:

• Reduced mobility, for example difficulty climbing stairs or getting out of a chair
• Reduced exercise tolerance and general fitness, maybe not able to walk to the local shop anymore
• Joint stiffness and pain
• Weakness, for example struggling to lift a kettle or to pick something from the floor
• Shoulder or neck problems following treatment for breast cancer or head and neck cancer
• Lymphoedema and swelling
• Problems with breathing control
• Neurological dysfunction, for example altered balance, problems with feeling or touch or difficulty getting a body part to work properly for you
• General fatigue and lethargy
• Reduced independence or a greater dependence on others for everyday activities
• Reduced confidence
• Increased fear and anxiety
• A worry about finding the balance between how much to push themselves and how much to rest

All of the above can be helped by undergoing an assessment and treatment from a physiotherapist who is experienced and knowledgeable in cancer care.   See my website www.homephysio.ie for more info!

Pilates for Breast Cancer Recovery

I came across this article recently.  Pilates is a great way of exercising for women who are going through or have completed treatment for breast cancer.  Pilates can help to:

• Improve range of movement at the shoulder joint
• Improve the stability of the shoulder complex
• Increase strength and endurance
• Reduce cancer related fatigue
• Improve flexibility 
• Improve posture and body alignment
• Improve balance and coordination
• Improve the circulation
• Stimulate the lymphatic system, which aids drainage of fluid and is important in the prevention of lymphoedema
• Increase bone density, which is important to prevent osteoporosis
• Aid relaxation and reduce anxiety
• Provide an enhanced sense of wellbeing.

My 'Pink Pilates' classes are now available in Kilkenny! 

Back in Action!!

Well, after a very long break from writing my blog, I feel I must try and get myself back in the habit!  First of all the reason for my inactivity over the past year or so......a little girl called Elaine, my first baby who was born in January and who is now 9 and half months old.  I really don't know where the last year has gone, and the time since Elaine entered the world has gone by in a flash!!  Becoming a mother has been a major life changing event for me.  I am loving my new role, but there have been, and I am sure will continue to be times that I find really difficult and challenging, not least of all adjusting to a very different new reality and altered priorities, but on the plus side, I have had a good long rest from work, at times I think the physio bit of my mind got completely switched off, but it is switched back on and ready to go now.....so watch this space.