Exercise During And After Chemotherapy: Tips For Cancer Patients

Cancer is a life-threatening condition. While chemotherapy can be effective in dealing with it, this is just the first step towards recovery. Chemotherapy can cause many side-effects due to which post-cancer recovery might seem unnerving at first. However, physiotherapy after cancer treatment can revive and sustain physical function and mobility. If you are undergoing chemo or know someone who is undergoing cancer treatment, it can undoubtedly help you get better.

What you need to know:

How can physiotherapy help post-chemo recovery?
6 Exercises to help with post-chemo recovery

How can physiotherapy help post-chemo recovery?

Cancer is caused by genetic changes. Chemotherapy is a vital component in cancer treatment. However, it brings a range of side effects that can significantly impact your well-being. Considering these side effects, incorporating physiotherapy into the treatment plan becomes essential for comprehensive care.

Physiotherapy can –

Help to reduce your pain
Improve your mobility and strength
Increase your participation in daily activities or hobbies
Increase your ability to exercise.

6 Exercises to help with post-chemo recovery

Exercise is an integral part of cancer treatment. A simple exercise routine can help you minimize the side effects of chemotherapy, prevent function loss by maintaining muscle strength and flexibility, and improve long-term outcomes by reducing muscle tightness that can lead to pain.

Priyanka Peter is a physiotherapist and a trained health coach with 10 years of experience. She helps individuals to foster positive lifestyle habits from a holistic perspective. Here is her exercise regime to recover from a severe illness like cancer –

Warm-up

Begin your exercise routine with a simple warm-up that includes –

Marching on place

Stand straight with your elbows bent at a 90-degree angle and your feet hip-width apart.
Bring your right elbow forward simultaneously as you bring your left knee up.
Repeat on the opposite side and keep alternating sides 10 times.

Knee to elbow (cross)

With your elbows flared, lift your shoulder blades off the floor.
Lift your left leg inwards and touch your right elbow to the left knee.
Hold for a second.
Get back to the starting position.
Lift your shoulders again.
Touch your left elbow to the right knee by lifting your right leg.
Lower your shoulders and your leg to the starting position.
Repeat for 10 counts.

Mini jumping jacks

Move your right foot to the side, lifting both arms overhead at the same time.
Bring your right foot back to the middle and lower your arms.
Do the same step with your left foot moving out, continue changing sides, and keep a steady rhythm.
Repeat for 10 counts.

Now head to the main exercises –

1. Hip openers

Stand straight with your feet hip-width apart.
Bend your left knee, take it to the left side and bring it down.
Repeat for 5 counts.
Then, repeat the same steps with the right leg for 5 counts.

2. Lateral shuffle

Walk sideways, two steps left, and then two steps right.
Repeat for 4 counts.

3. Punch with squat

Bend in a squat position
Punch with one hand, then another for 15 counts.

4. Floor taps

You have to tap on the floor, first with the left leg – tap your leg forward and back, then left side and back, then behind and back.
Repeat for 3 counts.
Repeat the same with the right leg for 3 counts.

5. Wall push-ups

Place your hands on a wall shoulder-width apart and at chest level. Step back with both feet to where your heels are off the ground.
Bend your elbows and lower your upper body towards the wall so that your upper arms become parallel with the wall.
Push yourself back up into the starting position. This completes one rep.
Do 10 repetitions.

6. Clamshells

Lie down in a comfortable position on your side.
Stack your hips and knees on top of each other while bending your knees toward your chest.
Keeping your feet together, lift your top knee and hold.
Relax your top knee back to the starting position.
Repeat for 5 counts.
Repeat the same for the other side for 5 counts.

Physiotherapy exercise can be a very useful intervention if you are diagnosed with cancer. It helps shift the focus from illness to wellness and can help you regain body confidence and control.

Stay tuned to the Activ Living Community. Keep up to date with the latest health tips and trends through expert videos, podcasts, articles, and much more on nutrition, fitness, mindfulness, and lifestyle conditions like Asthma, Blood Pressure, Cholesterol, and Diabetes. Activ Living ke saath sahi sehat ki shuruat ABHI karo.

You may also be interested in the following blogs: