5 Physiotherapy Tips Every Cancer Survivor Should Know

Cancer rehabilitation is an important part of the recovery journey and usually begins soon after treatment. Physiotherapy helps survivors rebuild their strength, improve movement, and regain independence. With a thoughtful and steady approach to physical activity, many survivors experience better comfort, confidence, and overall quality of life.

These are five physiotherapy tips that every cancer survivor should know and include in their recovery plan:

1. Start slow and safe

The body needs healing time, and the impulse to jump right into your pre-diagnosis intense workout routine can cause injuries, burnout, or issues with fatigue management. Start with simple exercises like short walks or stretches. Listen to your body; pain is a sign to stop or reduce the intensity. Aim for a consistent and gradual progression rather than quick and peak performance. A slow and safe start is the core of long-term mobility improvement.

2. Target strength and flexibility

Cancer treatments can cause cachexia (muscle wasting) and joint stiffness, which is where physiotherapy exercises come into play. These exercises must target both strength and flexibility. Include resistance training by using light weights, resistance bands, or body weight exercises to rebuild the lost muscle mass. Flexibility work, like gentle yoga or static stretching, can counteract stiffness and improve range of motion in regions affected by the surgery. 

3. Manage fatigue 

Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is a long-term side effect of the treatments. Rather than a single and long workout, divide your physiotherapy exercises into many short sessions throughout the day, like three 10-minute walks rather than one 30-minute session. This avoids an energy crash and manages fatigue effectively by allowing the body to rest and do more activity over time.

4. Breathing and posture work

Radiation therapy, surgeries, or treatments of the chest and abdomen can reduce respiratory function and postural habits like hunching. Deep breathing exercises can help in relaxation, stress reduction, and restoring lung capacity. Posture work aims at gentle shoulder and back exercises to reduce tightness and alignment problems, helping in mobility improvement and long-term pain prevention.

5. Seek professional guidance

Post-treatment recovery needs professional guidance, and an oncology-specialised physiotherapist can address particular patient needs while considering the diagnosis, treatment history, and remaining side effects. They can help design an individual and safe plan to minimise the risk of injury and maximise the potential of recovery. By seeking professional guidance, you ensure that you personalise physiotherapy exercises to get the best outcome possible for your cancer rehabilitation journey.

In the end, cancer rehabilitation is about helping survivors feel like themselves again. With steady physiotherapy and the right support, recovery becomes a little easier, and life feels more manageable.