Pain
Pain remains one of the most common and feared symptoms of cancer. There are many factors that contribute to cancer-related pain. Impaired joint mobility from bony or soft tissue dysfunction (scar tissue restrictions), postural changes, and compensatory movement patterns may all contribute to musculoskeletal-related pain in cancer patients.
Pain Management
While there are no standard medical treatments for pain, new tools exist for evaluating and coping with pain.
Symptom assessment tools include:
The Brief Pain Inventory (BPI): developed in 1989 by Dr. Charles Cleeland for rapid assessment of the severity and impact of pain in cancer patients.
Physical therapists are trained in a variety of techniques aimed at controlling musculoskeletal pain, including soft tissue mobilization, posture education and movement awareness training, strength, flexibility, and cardiovascular programs, joint mobilization, and other modalities.
Cancer Care |
