Course Description:
Patients impacted by cancer and cancer treatment are one of the fastest growing populations in the outpatient physical therapy setting. A patient with a history of cancer with its lingering symptoms, or a patient recently diagnosed with cancer with a sequelae of symptoms both require the physical therapist to utilize different, evidence-based approaches to care. This session explores and correlates the systemic and local physiological responses occurring across the oncological recovery journey with the unique properties and potential relevance of the aquatic environment. The impact of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation is addressed, along with implications to the aquatic therapist. Red flags and treatment guidelines that support oncological rehabilitation principles are reviewed, providing the participant with safety guidelines, progression considerations, and a clear understanding of the need for skilled physical therapy intervention in all phases of cancer recovery. A partnership and collaboration between land-based, aquatic, and telehealth physical therapy options for the oncological patient is analyzed, along with case study and clinical outcome examples. The goal of this presentation is to inspire aquatic therapists to join the growing need for physical therapists to proactively reach out to an underserved population - the oncological rehab patient.

Course Objectives:

• Identify side effects of treatments associated with cancer that may benefit from aquatic intervention.
• Compare and contrast the timing and relative benefits of land-based, aquatic-focused, and telehealth/remote physical therapy sessions.
• Analyze the patient's current evaluation and plan a safe and impactful intervention in the aquatic environment.