ALLIED HEALTH SERVICES FOR CANCER CARE – EXERCISE PHYSIOLOGY

At the COUCH Wellness Centre in Cairns, clients have access to an Accredited Exercise Physiologist who can help you to improve your physical health by prescribing exercise that meets your individual needs before, during and after your cancer treatment.

In the cancer care setting, research has shown functional movement or physical activity eases treatment side effects and lessens fatigue and may even reduce the rate of cancer recurrence. It has also been shown to increase strength, balance and endurance as well as improve or maintain bone density and mobility after surgery.

COUCH Wellness Centre clients experience from our Exercise Physiology Individual consults and group classes include:

Decreased fatigue and increased energy
Faster recovery from impacts of cancer treatments
Ability to recommence normal daily activities sooner
Positive mental health outcomes
Friendship and support from other clients
Feeling better about their quality of life

WHAT DO EXERCISE PHYSIOLOGISTS DO?

Exercise Physiologists specialise in prescribing and supervising exercise for people who have complex health conditions.

At the COUCH Wellness Centre, our Exercise Physiologists have completed additional training in providing services to people living with cancer, and therefore have the knowledge and skills to design, deliver and evaluate safe exercise programs for our clients.

When you see an Exercise Physiologist who has experience working with people with cancer, you can be confident that they:

know the symptoms and side effects of cancer and cancer treatments and how these can impact your ability to exercise,
understand cancer-specific issues that need to be considered to ensure exercise is safe and suitable,
use appropriately selected types of exercise, intensities (i.e. how hard) and volumes (i.e. how much) throughout your treatment and recovery,
maximise the safety and benefits of exercise even if you are going through difficult treatments or suffering side effects,
provide cancer-specific exercise education, advice and support to help improve your overall health and well-being through regular exercise
incorporate exercise management for other chronic diseases as well as cancer

We understand that getting back into exercise can be daunting for someone who is living with cancer. That’s where an Exercise Physiologist can help you to feel comfortable and know that you are exercising to your own personal limits and abilities. It is all about setting realistic goals and understanding how to overcome any barriers you may have to exercise. 

Our Exercise Physiologist’s will work with you to find the right balance whilst ensuring your treatment regime, other conditions you may have, and lifestyle challenges are all considered and supported.  

Appointments can be Medicare and Department of Veterans Affairs eligible and your private health fund may also offer reimbursement.

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