Physical Therapy

Compassionate care and treatment during and after your cancer diagnosis
Cancer can be a life-changing diagnosis as treatment can take a great toll on an individual both physically and emotionally. At St. Luke's Hospital, we understand the feelings and emotions that come with a cancer diagnosis and want to help you return to a fulfilling and high-functioning quality of life. If you have any problems that interfere with your daily life that you did not have prior to treatment, you are most likely a candidate for rehabilitation.

You will receive comprehensive cancer rehabilitation treatment to improve the symptoms affecting your daily functioning and quality of life.

St. Luke's Cancer Rehabilitation Program offers patients compassionate and customized programs that can help minimize or eliminate symptoms such as fatigue, pain, joint stiffness, limb swelling (lymphedema), weakness, memory problems, balance and issues with talking or swallowing that may come with treatment. This program is appropriate for anyone who has the potential to improve their physical and emotional well-being.

Your Rehabilitation Plan
It is strongly recommended after surgery or treatment that you consult with a physical therapist and/or occupational therapist to help create a customized exercise routine that is both safe and effective for your current level of functioning. Your cancer rehabilitation plan will focus on increasing strength and energy, managing pain and improving your function and quality of life.

Your program may include the following specialties:

Physical Therapy: An individualized program is designed to strengthen muscles, improve balance, reduce pain and fatigue. Education is provided on energy conservation techniques and safe exercise parameters to improve endurance and strength.

Occupational Therapy: Offers supportive treatment to restore independence with activities of daily living such as dressing, grooming and bathing. Lymphedema management is also offered for manual lymph drainage, compression bandaging/garments, exercise, skin care and patient education.

Speech/Language Therapy: Available to assist with cognitive impairments, speech and language disorders, swallow function and patient/family education. The VitalStim program is also available to assist with swallowing.

Our team will work with you personally on a rehabilitation plan that meets your needs and guides you in the life you are accustomed to living.

We Specialize in cancer rehabilitation for the following conditions:

• Balance and gait problems
• Chemotherapy-induced neuropathy
• Cognitive problems (difficulty processing information)
• Emotional distress
• Headaches
• Inability to perform daily living activities
• Limitations in movement of extremities
• Lymphedema
• Musculoskeletal or neuropathic pain
• Post-mastectomy pain syndrome
• Radiation fibrosis syndrome
• Sexual dysfunction
• Significant weight loss
• Sleep problems
• Speech/language disorders
• Swallowing problems
• Urinary incontinence
• Weakness and fatigue
• Weight loss & side effects related to treatment (taste changes, decreased appetite, constipation, diarrhea)

If you feel you have other issues that may be related to your cancer treatment, please contact us so we can evaluate whether our program can assist you.

For more information, call 314-205-6482. A physician order may be required for some services.