What are exercise and movement therapies?
Movement includes various forms of aerobic exercise, strength training, and stretching, but also therapies like qigong, tai chi, and yoga. These latter therapies can be good options if you are physically limited. Even taking a walk or doing light gardening or housework supports your well-being. Choosing activities that you think are fun or rewarding will increase your motivation and enjoyment.
We emphasize that exercise and movement therapies alone will not likely prevent, cure, or control cancer. Like every other therapy or approach included on this website, exercise and movement are one component of an individualized integrative in cancer care, a patient-centered approach combining the best of conventional care, self care and evidence-informed complementary care in an integrated plan plan.
What are the benefits of using these therapies?
Exercise may provide a great deal of benefit throughout your cancer experience, even more than diet. Moving your body reduces risks of cancer and recurrence, may promote health and survival after diagnosis, and can reduce some side effects of treatment. Although you may have thought that exercise is not a good idea during treatment, evidence shows that physical activity within your limits can promote wellness and improve your quality of life.
In Moving More, we provide tips and resources to help you start making changes. When beginning exercise or ramping up your level, you may need to build up slowly.
Are they safe?
Consult your healthcare team before undertaking a new or increased exercise routine. Also avoid high-intensity activities when immunosuppressedpartial or complete suppression of the immune response or when experiencing pain, severe fatigue, or compromised bone health. Take care to stay hydrated during and after exercise.