THE STEEL PROGRAMME- ONCOLOGY PHYSIOTHERAPY FOR MEN
The STEEL Cancer Rehabilitation Program is dedicated to improve the strength, quality of life and sense of well being of men diagnosed with cancer.
It is specifically designed to help men maximise recovery, regain physical strength, stamina and incorporate exercise into their lifestyle.
The Program is delivered by certified STEEL Cancer Rehab Physiotherapists and provides a full range of services designed to care, support and guide men through every stage of their treatment and recovery.
WHAT TREATMENTS DO WE USE?
Hands on manual therapy including massage, scar massage techniques, myofascial release and joint mobilisations
Individualised clinical pilates, stretching and breathing techniques
Safe, individualised exercise prescription and resistance training
Fatigue management, both during and after treatment
Providing self-management strategies to help you maintain your health
Group face to face or online cancer rehab classes and support groups
PHASES OF RECOVEREY
The PINC rehabilitation program is chronologically formatted into 4 phases. The timing of each phase is dependent upon the persons’ physical condition, the length of the healing process, the type of surgery involved and the courses of adjuvant treatments.
1. Pre Op Phase – is designed to help patients before their cancer surgery. It involves a pre-op assessment and education to identify any factors that may affect recovery from surgery and return to work. A pre-op rehab plan will be devised for each individual which will include specific exercises to strength muscles and improve stamina ; education and functional guidance.
2. Post Op Phase – designed to assist in the healing process of patients who are recently post surgery. It aims to restore strength and flexibility to particular joints and muscle groups that have become weak and inflexible as a result of surgery. Includes manual physiotherapy and gentle modified exercises to maximise recovery from surgery, education and functional guidance for home and work.
3. Adjuvant Cancer Treatment Phase – designed to improve energy levels and maintain health during cancer treatments to reduce the impact on physical functioning and overall conditioning. It aims to help patients manage fatigue, flexibility, strength and stamina to reduce time off work, muscle wasting and functional impairment. In addition to focusing on stretching and strengthening exercises for the upper and lower extremities, it contains workouts to improve abdominal strength and spinal stability; education about fatigue management, home and work based modifications and cardiovascular exercise.
4. Fitness Phase – Designed to facilitate overall conditioning to increase physical stamina after treatments are completed. It aims to improve cardiovascular fitness, strength and flexibility to increase endurance, elevate the metabolism, improve muscle tone and body composition. The exercise selection focuses on improving physical functioning to maximise recovery to return to work, and living a full and productive life. Education on fatigue management, return to work, sport and leisure activities.
It is suitable after any type of cancer surgery or treatment and accommodates all ages, fitness levels and mobility.
Take the first steps on the road to recovery visit a STEEL Cancer Rehab Physiotherapist near you.
STEEL represents the strength, courage and resolve of the men we see after a cancer diagnosis.
Men's rehabilitation needs are different to women's. Regaining physical strength and stamina can really help men with the mental stuff as well!