Cancer Rehab: Strength in Motion

Benefits of Exercise
The benefits of exercise for individuals with cancer is well documented and supported by the American Cancer Society and the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM). The ACSM Roundtable on Exercise Guidelines for Cancer Survivors concluded that exercise training is safe during and after cancer treatments. Appropriate exercise results in improvements in physical functioning, quality of life and cancer-related fatigue. In addition, significant benefits are realized in body weight and composition, flexibility, nausea, sleep, stress management, satisfaction with life and overall quality of life.

Patients may enter the system either by direct referral from a physician or other clinician to the appropriate therapist to resolve specific musculoskeletal, communication or neuromuscular impairments.

For some patients, a 30 minute consult with a physical therapist is offered to help direct them to the appropriate exercise modality. Where appropriate, patients will be educated to exercise independently or be referred to one of our group programs. 

Our program was recently featured in Wicked Local Waltham.

Exercise classes at Newton Wellesley Hospital

• Exercise class at the rehabilitation gym – run by a physical therapist with a focus on aerobic and strength exercise More info
• Personal training sessions at the Shipley Fitness Center run by an exercise physiologist, with a focus on aerobic and strength exercise More info
• LEBED exercise class, breast cancer patients – dance-style movement class More info
• Yoga for cancer patients at the Vernon Cancer Center, gentle and appropriate for all fitness levels More info

Helpful Links
American College of Sports Medicine Guidelines for Exercise