The role of the physiotherapist is to understand the structure and movement of the human body.18 This is particularly relevant to cancer and treatment, both of which can cause physical impairment, such as loss of strength, balance, flexibility and pain.
A physiotherapist can help to prevent, limit or repair physical damage, so that you can maintain your physical function and quality of life.19,20
Physiotherapy is used before and after many types of cancer surgery to help treat urinary incontinence and urgency (bladder leakage or loss of control), changes in movement patterns due to scaring or drains, lymphoedema (swelling in parts of the body, usually a limb, following lymph node removal – as often occurs with breast cancer surgery).21,22
It is normal to have some loss of bladder control after prostate surgery. This happens because some of the muscles responsible for bladder control are removed during surgery. These muscles also play a role in getting and maintaining an erection.22 Pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) is a treatment that physiotherapists provide to help improve the strength, endurance and coordination of these muscles through exercise. PFMT may help you to regain bladder control more quickly after your surgery.22 It is also one approach for helping improve erectile function after prostate surgery.23
GenesisCare has partnered with Penrith Physio to ensure you are getting expert support. The physiotherapists offer tailored support programmes including:
- Lymphoedema management
- Men’s health service
- Women’s health physiotherapy
- Musculoskeletal physiotherapy and exercise medicine