Author: Jessica Krehbiel, PT, DPT, Spooner Fountain Hills
As physical therapists we are always looking to grow and learn in an effort to better serve our patients, and to be able to reach different populations and address different injuries and concerns within our communities. Specialization and certification in different areas of practice is one way that we try to ensure diversity within our clinic to reach the widest variety of patients possible.
Breast health is a specialty area of physical therapy and occupational therapy practice dedicated to helping patients diagnosed with breast cancer throughout their treatment, from diagnosis to post-surgical interventions, reconstruction, and everything in between. In order to provide the highest quality of care possible, patients are viewed holistically with a multisystem approach that considers not only the musculoskeletal system, but also the nervous, integumentary, cardiopulmonary, and lymphatic systems as well. Given the complex nature of cancer treatment and the wide variety of effects that it can have on a patient, additional specialized training and coursework is required to effectively treat this population and become a certified breast cancer rehabilitation specialist.
Certification
Certification through the Physiological Oncology Rehabilitation Institute (PORi) requires two separate courses, both with competency exams upon completion.
The first is a foundational course which lays the framework for understanding cancer as a whole, and the variety of treatment options that are used in cancer management. This course focuses on the pathophysiology of cancer and provides extensive knowledge on the specifics of chemotherapy, radiation, and the side effects of these different treatments and how to evaluate and manage side effects from a physical therapy stand point.
The second course is a four-day breast cancer core course, which implements concepts from the foundational course, but focuses solely on breast cancer specific treatment. This course goes into detail on different types of breast cancer and the various chemotherapies, radiation therapies, surgeries, and reconstructive options that patients will navigate during treatment. This provides the physical therapist with an understanding of the role of physical therapy and rehabilitation along this continuum of care, and how best to help the patient regardless of where they are in their journey. The lab and hands-on portion of this course provides a protocol and framework for optimizing tissue health and function that is specific to breast cancer, addressing concerns including lymphatics, neurodynamics, musculoskeletal issues, and pain control.
Continuous learning allows our team to provide the highest quality of care for Spooner patients
These certification courses and additional training are important in providing physical and occupational therapists with a better understanding of what patients who are receiving breast cancer treatments are going through on a physiologic level as well as on a personal level. This body of background knowledge empowers therapists to be able to provide care that fully encompasses the patient’s needs and provide optimal support throughout treatment and into life post cancer. Having watched my own family members, including my mom, battle through breast cancer is what motivated me to pursue certification and education to allow me to help others who are facing the same diagnosis.
We Are Here to Help!
If you’re interested in learning more, or making an appointment with a Breast Cancer Rehabilitation Specialist, please contact the Spooner team today. We have convenient locations throughout the Valley and are here to help you in your recovery journey.