Our discussion continues on the importance of strength-building for patients with cancer with Dr. Andrew Chongaway, PT, and Dr. Shai Swell, PT. Providing exercise programs that support strength-building at every stage of their journey is essential. Being sedentary can slow healing and recovery. Because of this, it is critical to develop a program that is tailored to the needs of each patient.
Simple, interesting programs are more likely to hold a patient's interest and commitment. The plan doesn't need to be structured, just easy to follow and able to accommodate different stages in the patient's journey. A physical therapist should engage the patient during the session and find ways to make it more fun.
Exercise can be made more interesting with music. It keeps people motivated and engaged. You are strengthening your relationship by allowing your patient to share with you what they enjoy about music. It also creates a distraction, making exercises easier. They can then push a little harder when the effects of their treatment begin to manifest.
You will be able to empower your patients by creating trust, listening to how the plan is feeling in their body, and connecting with them on a more personal level. If you ask them how an exercise feels during and after the session, you can help them judge their dosage of exercise according to how they are currently feeling. One of the most important things is teaching them how to monitor their intensity so they can continue their progress at home.
