Clinical Exercise During Cancer Care

Welcome to Ten Health and Fitness. I am Santiago, Head of Exercise and a Clinical Exercise Physiologist. This video explains how our clinical exercise service supports people living with cancer, at every stage of treatment. Whatever you are facing, our aim stays the same. Whether you are starting chemotherapy; recovering from surgery; or coming to the end of your care - we are here for you. We want to help you maintain or regain your strength; your function; and your overall wellbeing. Everything we do here is built around you as an individual. Before we plan any exercise, we take time to understand your medical situation and what matters most to you. Before your first appointment, we usually receive a detailed clinical report from your referring consultant or medical team. This gives your Ten clinician a clear picture of your diagnosis, your treatment history; any side effects; and any precautions we should plan around. This information forms an essential part of your plan. It means every session is shaped around your needs - and around what is safe, and right for your body at this moment. Our process begins with a thorough clinical exercise assessment. During this, we take time to understand your personal goals, and what you would like to achieve with us. We also measure some key health indicators - such as your heart rate; your oxygen levels; and your blood pressure. We also look at your body composition - which includes your muscle mass; your fat mass; and your hydration. These simple measurements help us see your starting point clearly and track your progress over time. We may also use force plate testing, which gently measures how you push through your feet. This shows your balance and any differences in strength between your two sides. Together, these results help us build a safe and effective plan that is right for you. From everything we learn, we design a programme that is tailored to your goals and your circumstances. We deliver these sessions one to one; using a range of techniques and gym based equipment; and alongside our Dynamic Reformer machines. Research suggests that Reformer Pilates can help improve strength, posture, balance and overall physical function. These can all be affected by cancer treatment. It is low impact and easy to adapt - which makes it well suited to anyone managing fatigue; reduced mobility; or other effects of treatment. You never have to face this on your own - and every step is planned around you. If you would like to find out how clinical exercise could help - please speak to our team, and we will guide you.