Rehabilitation Services

Studies show that exercise can decrease fatigue, improve quality of life and increase the chances of surviving cancer. Henry Ford’s physical therapists specializing in cancer rehabilitation can design individualized exercise and treatment programs to reduce or prevent many cancer-related problems, and will help you to heal faster than you would on your own.

Your physical therapist may work with you to improve:

• Comfort and well-being using manual (hands-on) therapy or other technologies
• Aerobic capacity by determining the best aerobic activities for you
• Bone density by teaching you safe and effective exercises to help steadily build your bone strength
• Lymphedema and swelling with treatment from a certified lymphedema specialist
• Surgical incisions by checking for infection, educating on dressing changes and techniques to minimize scarring, and through very gentle massage or other technologies to keep the skin as soft and pliable as possible
• Body weight, mood and/or brain fog (or "chemo brain") by creating an exercise and physical activity program tailored just for you
• Walking and balance using techniques such as strengthening exercises, walking training, and balance activities; in some cases bracing or an assistive device, such as a walker or cane, can improve safety
• Motion through use of specific activities and treatments to help restore normal movement in any stiff joints
• Flexibility, strength and coordination using targeted exercises

Cancer and its treatments can cause difficulties that interrupt daily routines, and affect how you perform self-care, work, leisure, or social activities.

Henry Ford cancer occupational therapy specialists address these issues through intervention aimed at restoring function, such as:

• Developing home exercise programs to improve strength and mobility
• Modifying daily routines; for example, teaching different ways to conserve energy during important everyday activities
• Modifying environments such as the workplace, home, or community to minimize difficulties

Your cancer occupational therapy specialist will work with you to achieve your maximum level of independence and quality of life. Some examples can include:

• Management of activities of daily living (ADLs) such as bathing and dressing through adaptations to the activity and environment, and/or the use of assistive technology.
• Lifestyle management such as preventative health, improved fitness, etc. This may include education emphasizing the person’s strengths and positive coping strategies that enable him or her to be in control of lifestyle choices.
• Sleep and fatigue management such as education in and demonstration of energy conservation and relaxation management techniques to support health and the ability to participate in meaningful activities.
• Cognitive strategies to address memory, organizational executive function deficits, and low-energy tasks that focus on restoring engagement in daily occupations such as sitting in the park, reading a newspaper, or conversing with a friend.
• Therapeutic exercise and positioning to maintain functional range of motion, mobility, and strength such as home exercise programs, splinting, wheelchair fitting, bed positioning, etc. to provide support and comfort.
• Lymphedema management by a certified lymphedema specialist to reduce limb swelling, which can limit range of motion and the ability to move and complete ADLs.