Physical Health and Cancer Treatment
Exercise is an important part of a cancer treatment plan. A growing amount of research shows that regular exercise can greatly improve physical and mental health during every phase of treatment. At CARER we have seen a substantial impact of physical activity on cancer patients’ health during and after treatment. Exercise has been shown to improve cardiovascular fitness, muscle strength, body composition, fatigue, anxiety, depression, and several quality of life factors in cancer patients and survivors.
Following a well-designed exercise plan during and after treatment will help cancer patients in reducing the chance of having physical side effects, such as fatigue, neuropathy, lymphedema, osteoporosis, and nausea. Exercise helps to reduce the risk of depression and anxiety and also keeps you as mobile and independent as possible. Moreover exercise helps to prevent weight gain and obesity which are linked to increased cancer risk and improves quality of life.
It’s important to take precautions while exercising if you are having side effects from your cancer or its treatment. You may have to change your exercise plan depending on your specific side effects. Even if you were physically active before your treatment, build the level of activity at a gradual pace. If treatment has weakened your immune system, avoid large gyms where germs spread easily. If your energy level is low, adjust how long or how hard you exercise until you feel better. Drink plenty of water during your workouts to avoid dehydration. The right foods, especially those high in protein, help your body recover after exercise.
As we all know Cancer has major physical strains on the body, loss of muscle mass and range of motion might be affected due to surgery and the treatment side-effects. There are tried and tested movement patterns developed by CARER that have proved to improve functional mobility, hormonal levels, pain, strength and physical and mental related symptoms of patients.
CARER therapeutic yoga practices, physiotherapy and functional movement exercises help patients with physical and mental strains of cancer. We focus on stretching and strengthening of muscles, pain management, stimulating the digestive system, lymphatic system, circulatory system and breathing techniques that help in balancing the body and mind.
Tags: yoga, physiotherapy, physical health, cancer patient, cancer caregiver, cancer journey, cancer treatment, wellness program, integrative therapies, holistic health, yoga asanas, body strength, anxiety, sleep disorder, functional movements, functional mobility, hormonal levels, pain, muscles strengthening, cancer survivor, cancer
