Hodgkin's lymphoma is a cancer that forms in the lymphocytes or lymph nodes. If you have been diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma, your doctor has likely recommended an array of treatment options. Part of your overall treatment plan may be some form of physical therapy. Active physical therapy can help you with some of the symptoms of the disease and also make it easier to cope with medication side effects.
Hodgkin's Lymphoma
Hodgkin's lymphoma starts by attacking your body's immune system deep within your lymph nodes. Your lymph nodes help to filter out foreign particles and prevent them from entering parts of your bloodstream. Symptoms of Hodgkin's lymphoma include swelling of the lymph nodes in the neck, armpit or groin, enlarged spleen, fever, weight loss, loss of appetite, fatigue and itchy skin. Hodgkin's lymphoma is a treatable cancer if it has not spread, especially when detected early. Keeping your immune system in top-notch condition is important with lymphoma. Physical therapy is one way to keep your body active and improve your immunity.
Physical Therapy
Physical therapy can relieve some of the side effects from the disease, such as muscle tension and pain. In addition to electric muscle stimulation, heat and ice pack therapy, mobilization and massage, and an individualized exercise plan may be established. The goal of most therapy sessions is to improve body function, limb mobility and range of motion. An individualized plan may consist of targeting muscle groups such as the shoulders or legs so that mobility is not lost. Surgical sites and places where the cancer has spread may benefit from physical therapy to keep blood flowing to the area. A physical therapist also will provide exercises to strengthen muscles around the spine to improve back support.
Treatment
Hodgkin's lymphoma treatment may be as minimal as observing the cancer cells, especially if they are slow growing. If you have to undergo any type of surgery to remove cancer or to surgically implant a port -- a small device implanted under the skin that delivers chemotherapy directly to a main vein -- physical therapy may help you to better cope with pain. Area of muscle, skin and bone that are in the healing process can often become stiff or numb after surgery. Physical therapy focusing on these areas may help improve tone and strength while eventually easing pain.
Precautions
There are several benefits to engaging in physical therapy, but use caution when moving areas that have been directly affected by cancer. In areas of skin that are susceptible to break down or have recent sutures, avoid focusing on these areas as part of your physical therapy. If you have a chemotherapy port inserted in your chest or abdomen, avoid pulling or stretching of muscle and skin in that area. Ask your doctor about how much exercise or activity you should do to avoid complications with your treatment plan.
