County Physical Therapy is pleased to announce they now offer a specialized cancer rehabilitation program in their Presque Isle Clinic, led by Physical Therapist Jennifer Waddell, MS, PT, CLT. The program can help cancer survivors overcome cancer treatment side effects and improve their quality of life.
“The good news is with all the advances in treatment options, there are more and more cancer survivors,” explained Waddell. “The challenge is that the cancer treatments often have side effects that can be debilitating themselves.”
Cancer treatment side effects may include muscle weakness, pain, fatigue, weight gain, loss of motion, osteoporosis, lymphedema (swelling) and soft tissue restrictions. Most symptoms are brought on from the surgery, chemotherapy or radiation treatments. The problems may arise immediately, or it may take months or even years for pain or swelling to manifest themselves.
The goal of the cancer rehabilitation program at County Physical Therapy is to ensure that cancer patients are thriving beyond cancer. Waddell, who is specially trained in the area of cancer and lymphedema rehabilitation, will design an individual program based on each patient’s needs and previous level of function.
“Our program at County Physical Therapy allows patients to be active participants in their care,” added Waddell. “Patients are welcome to join the program at any time during their treatment and recovery. After an initial evaluation, patients will be involved in an overall rehab program addressing range of motion, strength, cardiovascular conditioning and lymphedema.”
The cancer rehabilitation program includes five primary components:
• Pre-treatment education for patients who will be undergoing cancer surgery, chemotherapy and/or radiation. Education will be provided on the risks of developing lymphedema and self-care skills to monitor for lymphedema during cancer treatments;
• Basic stretching exercises that are appropriate following surgery;
• Treatment for the swelling associated with cancer treatments known as lymphedema by a specially certified physical therapist;
• Complete fitness program addressing range of motion, strength, balance and endurance. A membership to County Physical Therapy’s Fitness Center is available to all cancer patients; and
• Pain management. Issues will be evaluated and appropriate treatments will be available in the clinic environment or through pool therapy.
To make an appointment or to learn more about County Physical Therapy’s Cancer Rehab Program, contact Jennifer Waddell at 769-2160, or by e-mail jennifer.waddell@countypt.com. You can also stop by County Physical Therapy’s new Presque Isle location in the North Street Shopping Plaza.
Photo courtesy of Richard Ezzy
PHYSICAL THERAPIST Jennifer Waddell demonstrates a stability ball wall stretch with a patient at County Physical Therapy.
