Cancer and Physiotherapy Cancer rehabilitation is a growing area in medicine due to a remarkable increase in cancer survivors. More and more individuals are beating cancer because of advances in medical technology, treatment and early detection. Cancer treatment is a grueling course, leaving many people exhausted, weak and with a compromised immune system. Just getting out of bed can be a daunting task, let alone exercising in a gym or playing at the park with grandchildren. This is where a physiotherapist comes in. Despite advances in medical treatments, individuals that receive cancer treatments typically experiences extensive physical limitations during and after treatments. As each individual experiences different impairments during and after cancer treatment, it is important to have an individualized evaluation to focus on the areas that require immediate attention. Physical therapy can address common cancer-related conditions like: Lymphedema: Lymphedema can be effectively managed through manual lymph drainage, various motion exercises, aerobic exercises and lymphatic bandaging. Cancer related fatigue: Individualized aerobic training, strength training and functional management training is known to reduce effects of cancer related fatigue both during and after medical cancer treatments. Pain: There are many pain relief strategies that can reduce the intensity and frequency of pain after cancer treatment. Specifically, treatment strategies including soft tissue mobilization, therapeutic massage, therapeutic stretching and strengthening. Peripheral neuropathy: Often times, cancer survivors experience peripheral neuropathy, which is abnormal nerve function that can be experienced as pain, numbness and tingling. Physiotherapy can help to improve nerve function or compensate for nerve dysfunction. Genitourinary complications: For men undergoing treatment for prostate cancer and women undergoing treatment for bladder or ovarian cancer, incontinence and sexual dysfunction are common. Physiotherapy can help to rebuild the strength of the pelvic floor in order to improve urinary continence and reduce sexual dysfunction.

Treating lower back pain by Physiotherapy Low back pain is a very common condition that researchers say 8 in 10 people experience at least once in their lifetime. Although the pain in your back may feel severe to you, lower back pains are not due to serious problems. More often than not, back pain results from lifestyle factors, such as prolonged periods of sitting, poor physical health, and bending and lifting improperly. A physiotherapist can assess and diagnose the exact reason behind this condition. Back pain manifests itself in many ways. Localized pain is felt in the lower back and buttocks. Radiating pain occurs when there is pain in the back as well as down the leg or foot. Sometimes, symptoms can also be seen on the leg. This is called referred pain. Early treatment is the key to decreasing the pain and getting back to full activity. A therapist can treat your specific problem, based on a thorough examination and assessment of the probable causes of the pain Manual therapy: Physiotherapists skilled in manual therapy use precise hands-on techniques to relieve stiffness and improve movement of the joints and muscles of your spine. Movement exercises :These can help to restore motion and decrease radiating or referred pain. Progressive strengthening exercises :These focuses on building core stability and endurance. You may wonder why just not take rest and wait till the pain subsides? Unfortunately, waiting it out will reduce symptoms, but may not actually fix the reason you got the pain in the first place. If you book an immediate consultation at the onset of pain, treatment is extremely effective. The longer you wait, the harder it becomes to treat.  That is why it is always important to be assessed by a physiotherapist before attempting to manage the pain by yourself.

Role of Physiotherapy in Cardiovascular rehabilitation Physiotherapy is an essential part in an effective multi-disciplinary cardiovascular rehabilitation. Treatment by a physiotherapist has a significant impact on the physical function and overall quality of life in individuals with cardiac disease. CR is a team-based intervention that incorporates physical, psychosocial and educational components to create better outcomes for individuals following a cardiac event. The physiotherapist has a central role in the physical and educational components of CR programs. Physiotherapists formulate individualized exercise programs and contribute to education programs on lifestyle changes and also advices on diet management. CR programs can be delivered at home or in a clinic, and both are equally effective at improving patients ‘health. Physiotherapy provides tailored care that leads to improvements in physical and psychosocial function and high patient satisfaction. Physiotherapists facilitates in the smooth transition of the patients from hospital care to home care, which improves the individual’s experience in the care process following a cardiac event. CR programs that include physiotherapy are an effective low-risk intervention that emphasizes exercise, education and lifestyle modifications. CR increases physical activity in patients following cardiac events and encourages the adoption of healthy behaviors leading to a reduction in hospitalization rates, subsequent cardiovascular events and mortality.

Importance of a healthy diet during pregnancy Eating a healthy, balanced diet while you’re pregnant is essential for the optimum health of the mother and the growing baby. Your need for certain nutrients, such as iron, iodine and folate, increases when you are pregnant. Your daily meals should include a variety of foods from these different food groups each day: Cereals, grains and starchy vegetables like brown rice, whole wheat, quinoa, oats and millets. These not only give you and your baby with more nutrients, but also help you feel full for longer. Also, try to include starchy root vegetables such as potatoes ,yams, sweet potatoes ,colocasia and plantains in the diet. Fruits and vegetables.  Include a variety of different coloured fruits and veggies to get a nutrition boost. You can also make it into a Juice but the natural sugars can affect your blood sugar levels and damage your teeth, so it’s best to limit the amount you drink. Protein-rich foods.These include lean meat and chicken, fish, eggs and pulses .Also try to include portions of oily fish such as mackerel or sardines twice or thrice weekly. Dairy foods.These include milk, curd, buttermilk and cottage cheese . These foods are high in calcium, protein and Vitamin B12. Varieties that are low in fat and sugar are the healthiest options. Many people also have low levels of iodine in their diet. Iodine is a mineral that is essential for your baby’s brain development. Dairy foods and seafood are a good source of iodine. Also try to include nuts that are rich in good fats like badam, cashews and walnuts in the diet. Drinking enough fluids is also extremely important to keep yourself hydrated and prevent common problems in pregnancy such as constipation, piles and bladder infections.