Cancer Recovery
our Cancer Recovery Program for patients in every stage of cancer diagnosis, treatment, and recovery.
How physiotherapy and kinesiology can help:
There is growing research to support both physiotherapy and exercise interventions in patients experiencing cancer. Helping patients recover more quickly, feel supported in their community, and stay more active results in decreased fatigue, improved mental health, quicker recovery, and decreased chronic disability. The 2018 ACSM Roundtable recommendations (Med Sci Sport Ex, Nov 2019) supported that exercise training was generally safe for cancer survivors and these patients should avoid inactivity. Further, specific doses of aerobic, resistance and combined training could improve common cancer-related outcomes.
We have heard repeatedly from our cancer patients that they have found the expertise, support, treatment, and exercise that they have received at Comox Physiotherapy Clinic to be invaluable to them in their cancer journey. From preparing for surgery, managing through difficult adjuvant treatments, returning to work and support in end stage disease, physiotherapy and exercise therapy have an important role to play.
SERVICES WE CAN PROVIDE:
Evidence-based, individualized assessment and treatment plans.
Education regarding cancer recovery, lymphedema prevention, appropriate exercise, and self-management of surgical scars.
Encouragement, motivation, and trauma/pain science-informed patient communication focusing on the whole patient – body and mind.
Assistance in preparing for your journey through cancer treatment – what to expect and how you can prepare.
Manual therapy to minimize scar tissue restriction, prevent frozen shoulders, mobilize axillary cording, and reduce fascial restrictions and muscle tension.
Lymphedema prevention and treatments using Complete Decongestive Therapy – an intensive therapy program that is considered the gold standard of care for lymphedema that has progressed past phase 1.
One-on-one exercise programming and work simulations to help you prepare to re-enter your workplace.
Our CANCER RECOVERY Team:
Shannon Lawrence
Shannon Lawrence is a pelvic health and oncology physiotherapist and a certified lymphedema therapist who has been treating patients with breast cancer since 1996. Over the years Shannon has treated hundreds of breast cancer patients (both women and men) and has developed a high level of experience with this population. She is a member of the CPA Oncology Division, a special interest group within the Canadian Physiotherapy Association, as well as the BC Lymphedema Association. Shannon has continued to add to her clinical toolbox over the years with further advanced oncology and lymphedema treatment courses. Shannon is also a certified lymphedema therapist, practicing complete decongestive therapy - a process that involves lymphedema compression bandaging, manual lymph drainage massage, compression garment recommendation and fitting, exercise prescription, and skin care. In addition, Shannon is highly trained as a pelvic health physiotherapist and can provide pelvic health care for male and female cancers.
Realizing the need for experienced physiotherapists to work with other cancer populations, Shannon has continued to further her oncology training and has expanded her practice to include patients with all types of cancer, including those with head and neck cancer, multiple myeloma, and melanoma. She has developed a broad network of health care professionals in the North Island that have a shared interest in Cancer Recovery, including dieticians, clinical counsellors, registered massage therapists, compression garment fitters, and breast prosthesis providers. Whatever your question may be, Shannon can pull from her years of experience and her professional contacts to help you find answers. If you’re not sure whether cancer recovery physiotherapy is right for you, please give the clinic a call and Shannon would be happy to discuss your unique situation and needs with you.
Shannon has experience and works with the following cancer patients:
Breast cancer and breast reconstructions
Malignant melanoma
Head and neck cancers
Multiple myeloma
Abdominal cancers
Lung cancer
Prostate cancer
Gynecological cancers such as uterine, ovarian, cervical and vaginal cancers
Ano-rectal cancers
Shannon works with lymphedema patients to provide the following treatment options:
Education on the latest evidence-based ways to prevent and manage lymphedema
Scar tissue and manual lymph drainage massage
Compression bandaging using short stretch lymphedema bandages
Custom compression garment fitting
Appropriate exercise prescription
Skin care