Cancer Rehabilitation

Physical therapy services accompany other leading-edge treatments at BIDMC. Our physical therapists can help you stay active with exercises to minimize the side effects of cancer treatment.

We understand that it can be difficult to continue with daily activities, particularly exercise. However, your physical therapist can show you how to adapt your usual activities and exercises and find a way to continue at a lower intensity. After treatment is over, we prioritize getting you back to your usual routine.

Speak with your doctor about adding physical therapy to your personalized cancer treatment care plan.

Physical Therapy (PT) for Bone Marrow Transplant

If you have a bone marrow (stem cell) transplant followed by an extended hospital stay, you’ll need rehab services. A physical therapist will provide comprehensive evaluation and physical therapy throughout your time in the hospital.

You’ll benefit from working with a BIDMC speech therapist if:

• If you’ve had a laryngectomy (surgery to remove your larynx, or voice box)
• Cancer treatments have impacted your ability to speak, swallow or hear

Our specialists offer comprehensive care for people who need to a laryngectomy, including:

• Pre-laryngectomy counseling and evaluation
• Post-laryngectomy care
• Education, training and support to adjust to new ways of speaking and communication
• Support for placement and use of voice prosthesis

Lymphedema is swelling that occurs in your arms or legs as a result of the removal of, or damage to, your lymph nodes during cancer treatment. Our physical therapists and teams at the Lymphatic Center are highly trained to relieve symptoms using lymphatic therapy.

Our Boston Lymphatic Center is designated as a Comprehensive Center of Excellence in Lymphatic Disease from the Lymphatic Education & Research Network (LE&RN). This means that you’ll benefit from best-in-class care.