“At Progressive Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation we pride ourselves on providing compassionate and personalized care, based on proven scientific evidence,” said Kim Marshall, DPT, CLT.  “Cancer rehabilitation is a relatively new field of medicine.  Over the last few years, we have had great results with improving the lives of cancer survivors and changing the thinking about how to live successfully with cancer. We invite you to contact us to learn more about how this program can help you thrive.”

As part of our continued commitment to provide the best possible care for our patients, Kim Marshall, PT, CLT in the Garden Grove office, has completed a comprehensive training course in oncology rehabilitation.   She is one of the first physical therapists in California to have received the STAR Clinician Certification

The STAR program is endorsed by the nation’s leading cancer centers.

The program focuses on the physical and emotional healing of cancer survivors. It was developed by Julie Silver, MD, an assistant professor at Harvard Medical School. Dr. Silver developed STAR Certification after going through cancer treatment herself and realizing that she desperately needed rehabilitation in order to return to her former level of function.  She now says, “Survivorship services, including oncology rehabilitation, are imperative to cancer care.  Every cancer survivor should be offered the opportunity to heal as well as possible and function at an optimal level whether their cancer is cured, in remission or they live with cancer as a chronic disease.”

Virtually all patients expect fatigue from cancer therapy. Up to 90% of patients treated with radiation and up to 80% of those treated with chemotherapy experience fatigue. CRF (cancer related fatigue) continues for months and even years following completion of treatment in approximately one third of the patients with cancer. –Hofman M, Ryan JL, Figueroa-Moseley CD, et al. Cancer-related fatigue: the scale of the problem. Oncologist 2007:12 Suppl 1:4-10.

The good news is that research and scientific evidence is showing how a supervised physical therapy program can lessen fatigue and improve quality of life.

Yes, medical insurance, including Medicare, usually covers rehabilitation medicine consultations and services so long as they are provided by rehabilitation healthcare professionals. As with all insurance issues, check with your carrier about deductibles and co-pays.

If you have experienced any of these side effects, you may benefit from a consultation in our Orange office to identify your ability to participate in an oncology based rehabilitative program. These programs are designed specifically for patients with all types of cancer diagnoses, in all phases of treatment.