Even though cancer treatment has advanced well in modern medicine, cancer pain is still one of the most common concerns that patients have. The illness itself, surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation therapy can all cause this pain.
Here, improving your quality of life requires efficient pain management. It is where physiotherapy comes into play. Connect with one of the leading doctors for cancer therapy in Siliguri, who can provide you with proper physiotherapy guidance.
This blog will tell you the ways of physiotherapy, how it helps control cancer pain, and why a physiotherapist should be part of every cancer care plan. Thus, knowing this method can significantly improve comfort and healing for patients, caregivers, and medical professionals.
Cancer Pain – In Simple Words
Let's first understand what cancer pain is and why it happens before you know how physiotherapy can assist you in this.
Individual differences in cancer pain can be substantial. Now, cancer pain may be acute (short-term) or chronic (long-lasting), mild or severe, and may affect one location or extend across the body. Among the reasons are:
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Tumor-related pain: When an organ, bone, or nerve is compressed by a tumor.
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Pain associated with treatment: side effects following radiation, chemotherapy, or surgery.
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Musculoskeletal or postural pain: brought on by weakness, inactivity, or extended bed rest.
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Nerve damage: These are brought on by cancer treatment and are known as neuropathic pain.
Many people experience pain regularly or often, which limits their mobility and interferes with their sleep. Plus, it negatively impacts their mood. Physiotherapy is a non-invasive, supplemental approach that can greatly enhance comfort and function, while medication is frequently given.
Physiotherapy in Cancer Treatment
To assist in restoring function, reduce discomfort, and enhance general well-being, physiotherapy, also known as physical therapy, will help you. It uses movement, exercise, manual techniques, and education. Physiotherapists in cancer care concentrate on improving your mobility, strength, and independence, besides pain management.
You should know that fatigue, joint stiffness, muscle weakness, and poor balance are all possible side effects of cancer and its treatments. Even during or after surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation, physiotherapy offers individualized treatment plans that are safe and effective in addressing these issues.
How Physiotherapy Aids in the Management of Cancer Pain?
1. Reduces Joint and Muscle Pain
Stiffness and decreased mobility are very common outcomes of cancer pain or cancer treatment. To reduce stress, increase flexibility, and restore joint movement, your physiotherapist may use manual therapy, gentle exercises, and stretching.
For instance:
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Following surgery or radiation, range-of-motion exercises maintain joint flexibility.
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Soft tissue massage enhances blood flow and lessens muscle spasms.
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Inflamed tissues or painful muscles can be relieved by heat or cold therapy.
Without exclusively using medicine, these techniques aid in the natural reduction of pain.
2. Improves Circulation and Reduces Swelling
Lymphedema, a swelling brought on by fluid accumulation, can result from certain cancer treatments, particularly surgery involving lymph nodes.
Physiotherapists are trained to use compression therapy, manual lymphatic drainage, and specific exercises to treat this ailment. You may receive guidance from the leading doctors for cancer treatment near you.
Besides lowering swelling, improved circulation also aids in:
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Give tissues nutrition and oxygen.
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Eliminate waste materials more efficiently.
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Lessen discomfort and encourage quicker healing.
3. Regains Mobility and Strength
Muscle weakness can result from prolonged bed rest, exhaustion, or surgery. This eventually results in decreased activity and increased pain from stiffness. Here, your physiotherapist constructs tailored training routines so that you can regain strength gradually.
These programs often include:
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Low-impact aerobic activities like cycling or walking.
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To recover muscular mass, use strength training.
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Exercises for balance and coordination can lower the chance of falling.
Regaining mobility improves patients' physical and mental well-being by giving them a greater sense of control.
4. Manages Neuropathic Pain
Chemotherapy is one cancer treatment that might affect nerves and result in neuropathy. It gives a tingling, burning, or numb feeling in the hands and feet. By enhancing your nerve function, physiotherapy can assist by:
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Exercises for tactile stimulation and desensitization
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Methods of nerve gliding
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To lessen nerve compression, practice good posture
These treatments can reduce pain and restore patients' self-assurance when moving.
5. Reduces Fatigue and Boosts Energy
One of the most common and draining symptoms that individuals with cancer experience is low energy and fatigue. It frequently results in inactivity, which exacerbates stiffness and weakness and starts a vicious cycle.
Research has indicated that even mild exercise can enhance:
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Resilience
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Mood
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Sleep quality
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Desire
Graded exercise therapy is a technique used by physiotherapists that gradually increases your activity levels. Stretching, yoga-inspired workouts, and breathing exercises are examples of gentle movements that can safely replenish energy.
6. Supports Posture
People frequently bend over or avoid activity due to pain and fatigue, which results in bad posture and muscular imbalance. In order to relieve tension in the neck, shoulders, and back, physiotherapists instruct patients on how to maintain good posture and carry out postural correction exercises.
Additionally, better breathing patterns and less strain on the muscles and joints are two benefits of good posture that help relieve pain.
7. Helps with Breathing and Relaxation
Yes, breathing can become uncomfortable and challenging for those with lung or chest malignancies. Breathing techniques are there to help you, which increase lung capacity and enhance oxygen flow, taught by physiotherapists.
To lessen the level of your stress, anxiety, and pain perception, they might also incorporate mindfulness and relaxation methods like progressive muscle relaxation or deep breathing.
These simple yet effective techniques can significantly improve patients' everyday moods.
When Should Patients with Cancer Begin Physiotherapy?
Physiotherapy can begin at any point along the course of your cancer treatment:
Before treatment (prehabilitation): To enhance recovery results and get the body ready for surgery or therapy.
During cancer treatment: To control adverse symptoms such as stiffness, discomfort, and exhaustion.
After cancer treatment: To regain independence, strength, and mobility following therapy.
So, in order to ensure that exercises are safe and effective, physiotherapy must be supervised by a licensed physiotherapist with experience in oncology care. Reach out to a trusted doctor for cancer therapy in Siliguri, such as Dr. Saptarshi Ghosh, or near you.
