Category: Exercise physiology

Cancer and its subsequent treatment can be a debilitating and physically demanding process. Whilst there have been many advances in the technology used to treat cancer, they all have less than desirable side effects that take a significant toll on the body.

A huge amount of research has and continues to be done on how cancer therapies can be altered to reduce the horrible side effects. Doctors are now able to use radiation in a way that specifically targets the cancer affected area and research is currently being done into utilising information about people’s genes and proteins to develop targeted chemotherapy (http://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/types/targeted-therapies/targeted-therapies-fact-sheet). Despite these advances in technology many cancer treatments still have considerable side effects, are uncomfortable and can also be painful.

However not all research is focused on technology and medication. Another area gaining a huge amount of momentum in the research world is exercise!

Exercise therapy has been shown to negate many of the undesirable effects of other cancer therapies and in many cases boost their effectiveness. Exercise improves:

• chemotherapy completion rates,
• cardiovascular fitness,
• immune function (which helps your body fight the cancer naturally),
• fluid removal,
• energy levels,
• mood,
• body image and self-esteem
• and helps to prevent loss of muscle and bone density during treatment.

Recently, the ABC program Catalyst did an excellent segment on how a prescribed exercise plan can have amazing benefits of exercise for cancer patients – http://www.abc.net.au/catalyst/stories/4459555.htm. Exercise can help to reduce pain, fatigue, inflammation, severity of symptoms, nausea, depression and anxiety and the risk of getting many types of cancer in the first place. Exercise is a powerful medicine before, during and after other cancer treatments. With carefully monitored exercise there are virtually no side effects!

So… will any old exercise do?

The simple answer is that some exercise is better than none and more is generally better than less. In general, physical activity is likely to be beneficial for most cancer patients. BUT! There are still some safety considerations and exercise should start under the supervision of a qualified exercise professional.

An Accredited Exercise Physiologists (AEPs) is an expert in exercise prescription and understands the stresses placed on the body by cancer and its treatment. They will take into account your age, previous fitness activities, type of cancer, stage of treatment, type of therapy and any other conditions that you might have. They can provide expert advice about exercise and create a safe, effective program to your specific fitness levels and needs. AEPs can do all of this and more whether you are recently diagnosed, currently undergoing treatment or are post treatment. There are many good reasons to start an exercise program and very few reasons not to. So if you’re interested come down to Vibe Rehab and see the friendly team of AEPs today!

 

Resources:

http://movingbeyondcancer.com.au/how-can-exercise-help-me

Our poor feet are often overlooked and neglected.

We see them as ugly, smelly, dirty and gross. The fact that they support our weight everyday gets forgotten once we slip on our shoes and cover them up.

Foot issues can result in not only painful symptoms in your feet but also your legs, hips and back. These can range from short term pain flare ups to long term structural issues. Foot issues can be caused by the way your muscles are working in your legs and feet, the ‘rolling’ in and out of your feet, the technique of how you walk or run and incorrect footwear.

Our podiatrists at Vibe, Matthew, Claire and Melanie have put together a list of the 5 most common foot problems that you shouldn’t ignore and see a podiatrist for treatment:

1. Heel pain – This can commonly be plantar fasciitis but also things such as heel spurs, nerve compressions, fat pad inflammation or achilles tendinopathy. It is important to assess and diagnose this correctly in order to develop the correct treatment plan – this is our passion at Vibe rehab!

2. Shin splints – These can be a variety of conditions ranging from bone type pain to muscle and soft tissue overload. Commonly this is influenced by foot function, activity and footwear.

3. Diabetes – An emerging issue amongst Australia’s aging population is that not all people with diabetes are aware of the effects it has on their feet. Getting a diabetic foot evaluation is critical in preventing long term complications.

4. Forefoot pain – This type of pain is often very treatable and can be caused by problems like arthritis, bursitis and nerve issues. These issues can be uncomfortable and are most of the time influenced by shoes. Luckily there are some simple treatment methods available to successfully reduce pain levels and discomfort.

5. Corns and callous – These are very common and are caused by high pressure being continuously placed on certain areas of the foot or areas rubbing together. The best thing about these problems is that they are easy fixed with the correct treatment.

If you are experiencing one of these common foot issues or have another concern regarding your feet, book an appointment with our podiatrist on 62993886 or email admin@viberehab.com.au.