Exercises for people with cancer

People with cancer can suffer muscle atrophy due to their inactivity, so it is important to maintain their physical mobility as much as possible taking into account their health status.  The Josep Carreras Cancer Foundation recommends a daily series of exercises with gentle intensity.

 

The physiotherapists of this association recommend a series of exercises for people with cancer , such as  walks in the fresh air "although the person has to rest every so often. It is better to make a small effort, since walking exercises the whole body in general, improves circulation and changes the environment".

 

The collaboration of family and friends is essential, because it encourages the patient not to neglect physical activity , despite the low spirits that they usually experience throughout the treatment.

People who are completely bedridden can have circulation problems, high pressure ulcers , muscle atrophy, tensions and stiffness. The physiotherapists of the Josep Carreras Foundation recommend:

To reactivate circulation

1. Raise your arms towards the ceiling with your elbows extended, open and close your hands. In the same position, make circles in both directions with your arms.
2. With the legs bent and the heels of the feet resting on the bed, flex-extension the feet (move them up and down without lifting the legs). In the same position make circles with the foot in both directions.

To maintain muscle tone

1. With your legs straight, place a rolled towel on the mattress below your knee. The knee should put pressure on the towel, hold for a few seconds and rest (without lifting the leg), press, hold and rest, and then with the other leg.
2. Make movements with one arm and resist it with the other, for example flexing the elbow, bringing the arm outstretched towards the ear, separating the arm from the body in the plane of the mattress.
3. With a bent leg resting the foot on the bed, the other stretched leg draws circles in the air.

stretching

1. Raise your arms above your head and stretch as far as possible.
2. Lie down, with the soles of your feet on the bed, keeping your knees bent. Exert gentle pressure so that the lower back is fully supported on the mattress. Push the chin down, pulling out the jowls (thus stretching the cervical area) and performing a self-stretching of the spine (imagine that a thread pulls our crown towards the wall behind us, as if we wanted to grow).
3. Stretch the muscles of the arms and legs, each one to the extent possible.
 

These exercises are ideal for all types of cancer patients, put them into practice and enjoy this moment in the company of your loved one. 

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