One complementary cancer treatment that may be used as part of the cancer rehabilitation process is physical therapy. Physical therapy helps patients and their caregivers regain a sense of hope and control over their health by teaching proper and safe exercise to rebuild function, endurance, and muscle and bone strength.

Patients undergoing cancer treatment may experience one or more of the following side effects:

• Decreased muscle strength
• Decreased bone density
• Peripheral neuropathy related to chemotherapy
• Fatigue
• Lymphedema risk
• Difficulty walking

San Antonio Community Hospital physical therapists will help address each of these issues through education and exercise. Some patients may already have strength loss due to other concurrent disease such as diabetes or heart disease. Maintaining strength during cancer treatment helps to prevent or decrease the risk of complications and enhance quality of life.