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Post-Cancer Treatment Care
Healing doesn’t end when cancer treatment is over. Many individuals face long-term physical and functional challenges after surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation therapy—including fatigue, pain, stiffness, weakness, lymphedema, and changes in mobility.
As a Physical Therapist and Certified Lymphedema Therapist with experience treating post-cancer patients, I offer information and guidance to support your recovery, improve quality of life, and help you return to the activities that matter most.
Whether you are newly finished with treatment or living with long-term effects, I hope this page helps you feel supported and empowered in your healing journey.
Topics
Just because treatment is over doesn’t mean everything goes back to normal. You may still feel tired, tight, or unsure how to rebuild your strength. Post-cancer care is about helping you feel whole again — physically, emotionally, and confidently.
Healing doesn’t follow a strict schedule, but the timing of your rehabilitation matters more than you might think. Starting at the right time can help you recover faster, move easier, and feel more confident — while avoiding unnecessary setbacks.
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Chemotherapy is one of the most powerful tools to fight cancer, but it often comes with side effects that can make daily life more difficult. The good news is, with the right support—including physical therapy—you don’t have to face these challenges alone.
Cancer treatments save lives, but they can sometimes leave behind nerve problems—called neuropathy—that cause tingling, numbness, or pain in the hands and feet. These changes can make everyday activities, from buttoning a shirt to walking safely, much more challenging. The good news is that with the right care—including physical therapy and self-management strategies—many people find relief and regain confidence in their daily lives.
Cancer treatment saves lives, but it can leave behind lasting effects on the body’s tissues. Many survivors notice stiffness, pulling, or tightness months to years later—sometimes called scar tissue or fibrosis. These changes happen because the healing process can “overshoot,” laying down too much collagen and reducing tissue flexibility. While this can sound discouraging, the good news is that fibrosis is treatable. With the right mix of self-care, physical therapy, and (in some cases) medical treatment, many people regain comfort, movement, and strength.
Many cancer survivors expect their energy to return quickly once treatment ends. But fatigue—called cancer-related fatigue (CRF)—is one of the most common and frustrating effects of treatment. CRF is not the same as ordinary tiredness: it feels heavier, isn’t fully relieved by sleep, and can interfere with work, family, and daily life (National Cancer Institute, 2024). The good news is that it is real, common, and manageable with the right strategies.
Head and neck cancers affect areas such as the mouth, throat, and voice box. While treatments like surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy save lives, they can also leave lasting challenges—making eating, speaking, and even daily movement difficult. Rehabilitation after treatment is a team effort. Different specialists, including physical therapists, speech therapists, dietitians, and psychologists, work together to help patients recover function and improve quality of life.
Trismus, or difficulty opening the mouth fully, is a common complication after head and neck cancer treatment. It can interfere with eating, speaking, and oral hygiene—significantly reducing quality of life. The good news: with early recognition and consistent therapy, improvements are often achievable.