Canopy Cancer Care Provide a Wellness Toolkit

Under the Canopy isn’t a place, but a philosophy of integrated care where the team at Canopy Cancer Care don’t just treat your medical condition. They recognise that it takes more than medicine to effectively treat a patient, and they  also realise that your journey doesn’t end with the last treatment. They offer a toolkit of evidence based complementary therapies so their patients can access what they need as they need it.

Having cancer affects your physical health in many different ways. Whether your aim is to maintain your regular exercise regime or to build up a programme, you are improving your chances for a positive outcome, and this has been backed up recently by studies showing that exercise is very beneficial to cancer patients.

It is widely believed that the most effective exercise programs have three main elements:

An aerobic workout that pumps up your heart rate and increases blood flow eg walking, light jogging, swimming, or biking

Strength training to tone and build muscles e.g. lifting light weights or working with a machine circuit or resistance bands

Stretching to keep muscles and joints supple e.g. yoga and Pilates

Common exercises include walking, yoga, Pilates, tai chi and stretching, swimming, water aerobics, and biking (stationary or outdoors). If you need a personal trainer or would prefer a supervised clinical environment, Under the Canopy can provide two different options: FERN and the ExerScience Clinic.

At FERN you will work with a specialist personal trainer at your home, at her studio or outdoors.  You will be given the right advice depending on your condition and your goals. It might be that you want to be able to walk for 10 minutes unaided, complete a spin class or improve your range of movement. Whatever your goal is, it is up to you and your trainer to work together to work out what is right for you.

The ExerScience Clinic provides medically monitored exercise rehabilitation services to those who have had a cancer diagnosis, and aims to reduce the impact of treatment-related side effects, improve physical function and enhance overall wellbeing. All exercise is individually prescribed and is performed under a high level of supervision.

For more information on cancer care, cancer treatment NZ and chemotherapy NZ please go to http://www.canopycancercare.co.nz .