May
26
Written by:
Eric Mason
5/26/2009 9:23 PM
Premier Physical Therapy is proud to be a provider of rehabilitation services to cancer patients in Jacksonville, Florida and the surrounding area. It is an honor and privilege to work with such an inspiring group of people who are suffering from the various effects of cancer and its treatment, including pain, swelling, lymphedema, cancer related fatigue (CRF), weakness, scar tissue, loss of motion, and functional impairments.
Premier offers a specialized cancer rehabilitation program that features a wide array of high-quality, evidence based interventions such as manual lymphatic drainage, compression bandaging, compression garment fitting, soft tissue mobilization, therapeutic exercises, monitored cardiovascular conditioning, home program design, myofascial release, soft tissue mobilization, joint mobilization, and patient education, among others. Our physical therapists have had specialized training through continuing education and post-graduate study in the management of lymphedema, cancer related fatigue, axillary web syndrome, lymphatic cording, post-surgical scar tissue, and many other issues. Eric D. Mason PT recently completed a course on the latest compression bandaging and manual techniques for lymphedema management.
Premier is also active in the cancer community with physical therapist, Chris K. Kopp PT, OCS on the operating board of the American Cancer Society First Coast Beaches Unit (www.cancer.org). Premier Physical Therapy provides ongoing support for local organizations and events such as:
We’ve worked with so many wonderful people in different stages of treatment for a wide variety of cancer types and feel that we get as much from our experiences with these patients as we give. To continue as a leading provider of cancer rehabilitation services, we are committed to ongoing research and continuing education focused on this patient population through membership in the American Physical Therapy Association Oncology Section (www.oncolgypt.org), an oncology rehab list-serve and journal publication.
In addition, we are offering a lymphedema surveillance program through which we hope to prevent the progression of sub-clinical or stage I lymphedema to more advanced lymphedema by seeing patients pre-operatively for baseline limb girth measurements and education on lymphedema precautions, treatment, and management.
If you are a cancer patient who has been through our rehabilitation program or who is interested in our services, we’d love to hear from you. We hope that this blog will become a gathering place for everyone in the cancer community from patients to medical professionals and family members to friends, where information can be shared, questions can be answered, and updates on people’s progress can be posted.
Thank you all for the unique opportunity to provide this service and hopefully make a difference for those with a diagnosis that impacts every one of us, either directly or indirectly.
2 comment(s) so far...
Re: Premier Physical Therapy of Jacksonville and Cancer Rehabilitation
I wanted to reiterate to all how serious our commitment is to cancer treatment and recovery as well the importance of fund raising and community support. Since graduating from the University of North Florida Physical Therapy program in 1995 I have had two former classmates pass away from cancer-two individuals that were not only fantastic physical therapists but even greater people and dear friends to all that knew them. They did not deserve to die at such a young age, but I know that their passing had a purpose and if one of those purposes was for me to broaden my skills and talents toward Cancer Physical Therapy, then all the better. Additionally, one our partners who owns a physical therapy practice in Waycross, Ga just lost his secretary of 20 years within a year of her cancer diagnosis. Just as Eric mentioned, it is truly an honor and a privilege for us to serve the cancer community not only as health care providers but as individuals who have been directly touched on a personal level from such a serious disease.
Chris K. Kopp PT, OCS
Clinical Director
Premier Physical Therapy
Jacksonville, FL
By Chris Kopp on
7/13/2009 1:28 PM
|
Re: Premier Physical Therapy of Jacksonville and Cancer Rehabilitation
Eric,
Thank you for your devotion to the oncology patient population. There is clear and compelling evidence that supports the efficacy of cancer rehabilitation. I have seen it both in my nursing career and on the sidelines of my father's long journey with stage IV colon cancer. Your expertise, extensive knowledge base, specialized skills, and relentless attention to detail have afforded substantial pain relief, increased range of motion, and strength in my dad's neck, shoulders, and arms. You provided information in a way that was understandable and empowering to both of us, allowing for informed shared decision making. Your thoughtful approach to evaluation and treatment visibly helps patients feel less anxious and allows them to focus on improving their quality of life. The recommendations given to incorporate exercise, good nutrition, and rest into a life riveted with cancer related fatigue, while blending all of the many facets of my dad and his life experiences beyond cancer encompasses both the arts and sciences. We can't thank you enough for setting the bar high. Premier and Eric D. Mason, consummate professional, committed expert, leading-edge.
By Cheryl L. Potts on
7/13/2009 1:29 PM
|