Individualised Cancer Rehabilitation Christchurch & Rangiora
Active Health proudly offers Cancer Rehabilitation within our Christchurch and North Canterbury communities, as well as to those who may be in Christchurch for medical cancer treatments or follow-ups.
As each person will be affected by cancer and its treatments in unique ways, we start with a 1:1 oncology physiotherapy appointment to either understand what your treatment plan looks like going forward, or what you have already been/are going through, and how this may or has already impacted your ability to do those things important to you. We will have a look and often feel the area affected on your body, see how you move and discuss recommendations for your prehabilitation (preparation) or rehabilitation (recovery).
The recommended plan will look different for each person and may involve continuing individual physiotherapy, performing the recommended exercise at home or at the gym, and/or participating in group exercise classes. Individual physiotherapy sessions can include education, hands-on treatment, scar management, exercise prescription, fatigue management, pelvic floor assessment/treatment (if indicated) and home exercise programmes.
Common cancer related symptoms and conditions we treat:
- Cording/axillary web syndrome (tight band in armpit and/or in arm or trunk)
- Depression and anxiety
- Fatigue (overwhelming tiredness/low energy)
- Fibrosis (tightness/thickening of tissues)
- Limited motion (movement in joints is limited)
- Low endurance (low fitness)
- Difficulty getting up/down from chairs or bed, walking or climbing stairs
- Difficulty/inability to exercise
- Unsure/not confident in what exercise it is safe to do
- Neuropathy (pins and needles, tingling or numbness in the hands or feet)
- Pain
- Poor balance
- Weakness
- Lymphoedema
- Scar tissue
- Pelvic floor dysfunction
- Bladder or bowel concerns
- Sexual dysfunction
- Vaginal stenosis
Our team includes members who are certified Pelvic Health physiotherapists, and members who have undertaken Oncology Scar Specialist training.
We offer two types of group exercise classes. See Cancer Group Exercise Classes for more information.
Cancer rehabilitation may be covered by health insurance or private payment, or financial assistance may be available through a number of charities. The Cancer Rehabilitation Foundation (Pinc and Steel) require a referral from a member of your cancer care team to consider financial assistance: Refer a Patient | Cancer Rehab Support – PINC & STEEL.
A number of foundations contribute funds to the Cancer Rehabilitation Foundation including the Bowel Cancer Foundation, Talk Peach and the Leukaemia and Blood Foundation.
Assistance may also be available through the Breast Cancer Foundation, Sweet Louise vouchers, or the Prostate Cancer Foundation.