Cancer Rehabilitation Program

at Orange Coast Memorial Medical Center

Rebuilding Strength. Restoring Function.

The Cancer Rehabilitation Program at Orange Coast Memorial is designed to provide you optimal outcomes for daily living. You will receive specialized one-on-one care from our physical therapy staff and be immersed in a culture of healing, education and motivation.

The cancer rehabilitation program services include:

• Individualized exercise programs to treat cancer related fatigue.
• A complete selection of physical therapy services addressing orthopedic concerns, pain relieving therapies, and balance training.
• Assistance in returning to functional activities including work, sports and recreation.
• Lymphedema management including manual lymph drainage massage, compression bandaging, garment selection, skin care and exercises.
• Breast cancer rehabilitation:
• Treatment for shoulder motion and strength.
• Education in reducing the risk of developing lymphedema.
• Compression garment and clothing consultation.
• Treatment for axillary web syndrome or cording.

The Cancer Rehabilitation program at Orange Coast Memorial Outpatient Rehabilitation seeks to provide individualized exercise and therapy programs for cancer-related symptoms. Exercise is used as an adjunct therapy for cancer treatment-related symptoms. The program addresses deficits in range of motion, muscle strength, endurance, soft tissue mobilization, gait characteristics and balance.

Benefits of exercise during and after cancer treatment:

• Exercise reduces muscle weakness associated with chemotherapy.
• Cardiovascular exercise reduces fatigue and helps maintain function and energy during chemotherapy.
• Exercise boosts immunity by increasing the number and effectiveness of the body's immune cells.
• Strengthening and endurance exercise maximize and prolong independence.
• Walking and gentle exercise with weights improve bone density.
• Exercise can decrease treatment-related and cancer-related pain.

Lymphedema

Lymphedema results in swelling when lymph vessels are unable to properly return lymph fluid back into circulation. This swelling may increase if an effective treatment program is not implemented.

At Orange Coast Memorial our certified lymphedema therapists provide services to individuals experiencing secondary lymphedema, which can result from injury to the lymphatic system due to surgical procedures, radiation, and/or removal of lymph nodes. Treatment is individually tailored to the unique needs of the patient and can include any combination of the following:

• Slow, light, directional stretching of the skin known as manual lymph drainage.
• Low-stretch compression bandaging that prevents re-accumulation of lymphatic fluid and compression garments.
• Exercises.
• Skin care.
• Patient education.

Recognize the early signs of lymphedema:

• Heaviness in the arm, trunk or leg.
• Numbness or tingling.
• Skin tightness.
• Decreased skin mobility.
• Aching.