Personalized exercise rehabilitation for individuals affected by cancer diagnosis
Personalized exercise rehabilitation for individuals affected by cancer diagnosis
At Phoenix Cancer Rehabilitation & Wellness our mission is to empower those affected by cancer to rise above the challenges of the diagnosis and regain their strength, mobility, and emotional resilience, enabling them to lead fuller lives during treatment and beyond.
Through compassionate support, expert guidance, and a strong referral network of client-centred rehabilitation specialists we strive to inspire a renewed sense of confidence, purpose, and transformation in every individual we serve.
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Monika Dylewski is an enthusiastic Registered Kinesiologist and York University alumni with over 20 years of experience in fitness training, injury rehabilitation and chronic disease management. For the past 12 years she specialized primarily in cancer exercise rehabilitation and is now considered an expert in this field. She combines her knowledge of oncology with musculoskeletal and functional assessment procedures and targeted exercise prescription to actively guide people through their cancer journey, improve their health and well-being while enriching their quality of life. Her uncanny ability to gauge their effort and physical ability makes it possible for them to achieve more than they ever thought possible.
While a therapeutically beneficial exercise program is always her goal, so is cultivating meaningful relationships with the people she works with. Monika wants her patients to feel safe, well-supported, and accomplished in their efforts. They always work collaboratively to reframe situations to improve their mindset and give them a greater sense of motivation and control.
In addition to starting Phoenix Cancer Rehabilitation & Wellness and joining forces with MSM Fitness and Rehabilitation to better serve her clients, Monika continues to offer her services as a Senior Exercise Leader with Wellspring Cancer Support Foundation and Program Supervisor with Active Living For Life, a Kidney Foundation program for patients living with Chronic Kidney Disease.
Research shows that exercise can greatly improve physical function, mental health and quality of life, combat the effects of cancer treatment, and even prevent recurrence of some types of cancer. Exercise is an important part of a cancer treatment plan and cancer prevention.
If you are new to exercise, a properly designed program that meets your unique needs can help you get moving safely and make a positive change in how you feel.
This is a restorative fitness program for individuals directly affected by cancer diagnosis. Our goal is to guide, support and empower participants through structured physical activity and maximize survivorship through exercise. The program is meant to improve flexibility, strength, balance and cardiovascular endurance. It will help you physically prepare for the upcoming surgery or treatment and speed up the recovery.
New program participants undergo a thorough Initial Assessment conducted by an experienced cancer exercise rehabilitation specialist, who will design an individualized exercise plan that will focus on addressing the unique needs of the participant. Exercise routines are reviewed every 6 weeks to ensure continuous progress, exercise variety, and achievement of client’s goals. Sessions are fun, uplifting and taking place in a supportive environment, offering various degrees of challenge to accommodate members at any fitness level and stage of diagnosis.
Our exercise program is safe for individuals who are currently undergoing systemic treatment such as chemotherapy, immunotherapy or targeted therapy as well as other treatments such as radiation and hormone therapy, and may be experiencing side effects such as fatigue, muscle loss, joint and muscle pain, peripheral neuropathy, shortness of breath, anxiety and depression.
The program can be safely offered to individuals at all stages of diagnosis, including metastatic disease to the bones and brain, in which case we would ask for a signed physician consent form. Once the participant is cleared for exercise a specialized exercise plan is designed and delivered with a high degree of caution and supervision. Individual measurements of blood pressure, heart rate, and oxygen saturation are frequently taken throughout the session to ensure everyone participating is doing so according to the recommended medical and safety guidelines.
The exercise classes are led in a small group (maximum 5 participants) or private setting in a fully equipped clinic gym space, which allows us to effectively monitor each session.
Massage therapists specializing in oncology are trained to work specifically with cancer patients and make necessary adjustments to ensure safe and effective treatment.
Massage therapy can help treat post-surgical scars in order to reduce movement-limiting and painful restrictions. Gentle massage is effective in reducing radiation fibrosis (a thickening of soft tissues as a result of radiation treatments), which over time, can result in decreased range of motion and discomfort. A massage treatment focused on stimulating blood flow and nerves in the affected areas can help reduce unpleasant side effects of chemotherapy, such as muscle ache and tension, numbness/tingling in hands and feet (peripheral neuropathy). Massage therapy is also an effective pain management and relaxation tool.
Lymphatic Drainage Massage (LDM), also known as manual lymphatic drainage, relieves swelling that happens when medical treatment, surgery, infection or illness blocks the lymphatic system (lymphedema). LDM is intended to encourage the natural circulation of the lymph through the body. Manual lymphatic drainage uses a very light pressure and rhythmic circular movements to stimulate lymph flow and move it from a congested area to an area with well-working lymph vessels. Regular treatments can be very beneficial for long-term health, the benefits include:
Scar tissue refers to thick, fibrous tissues that take the place of more flexible healthy ones that have been damaged after an injury, surgery or invasive procedure. The internal scar tissue that develops after a surgery can become painful over time, and can restrict and impair movement. and function. Scar management therapy can be helpful after a surgery by:
Osteopathy is a patient-centred approach to health. Skilled palpation and a detailed knowledge of anatomy, physiology and biomechanics guide the Osteopath to assess and restore balance within and between all the systems of the body; musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, neurological, cranial and visceral. Osteopaths incorporate osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) to help restore musculoskeletal balance with the goal to remove restrictions to vascular, neural and biomechanical mechanisms and ultimately support the natural healing by promoting autoregulation. Specifically, osteopaths can support the immune system, circulation, lymphatics, nervous system, joints, tissues, organs, and other body functions and can be an effective treatment approach for cancer recovery.
Cancer treatments come with an array of life altering side effects, which in turn have a huge impact on quality of life. Physiotherapists specializing in cancer rehabilitation play a critical role in individual management of these side effects and therefore improving overall wellbeing of the patients. Physiotherapy in conjunction with an exercise prehabilitation program can be started at the time of diagnosis especially while awaiting surgical intervention or systemic treatment. Prehab will help improve mobility, muscle strength and function and help prepare the body physically for quicker recovery.
Physiotherapy should be always considered following the surgery (rehabilitation phase) because like with any surgical intervention there is a risk of pain, excessive scarring, swelling, restricted movement and reduced strength and endurance. Physiotherapy treatments post-surgery will entail individualized approach to scar tissue work, mobilization of restricted joints, management of swelling and improving function of the affected area.
Physiotherapists can help their patients manage the physiological aspect of treatment side effects by working on improving range of motion and joint mobility, soft tissue treatment, managing pain levels and educating on the positive effects of the therapy. Continuing physiotherapy after cancer treatment can help patients maintain their mobility, gradually and safely increase function and confidence.
In Ontario, several extended health insurance providers offer coverage for kinesiology services, though availability often depends on the specific plan and whether the services are performed by a Registered Kinesiologist (R.Kin). If your plan doesn't currently cover kinesiology, you can request its inclusion during your plan's renewal period. Here’s an overview of insurers known to include kinesiology in their extended health benefits:
If your insurance plan doesn't cover kinesiology services, you can still claim these expenses on your income tax return. The Canada Revenue Agency recognizes Registered Kinesiologists as authorized medical providers, allowing you to claim their services as medical expenses.
MSM Fitness and Rehabilitation Clinic we LISTEN, OBSERVE, ASSESS, FEEL, PLAN, COMMUNICATE and then TREAT. We also GUIDE you through the improvements. Knowledge, continuing education and experience is the key to be the most beneficial for our patients. We believe that body has own ability to heal and recover and we are here to help with this process with our manual stimulative and manipulative techniques and by providing professional assessment, treatment and personalized sessions to each client. To maintain the effects, we educate our patients on how to continue to help themselves once the massage or rehabilitation therapy session is over.
At Wellspring, you will find a range of specialized programs designed to provide connection and belonging; ease pain, fatigue and distress; build strength and mobility; and support financial and workplace challenges. Wellspring programs are available across Canada online, and through locations in Ontario and Alberta, all at no charge, and without referral.
With an exclusive focus on cancer rehabilitation since 2008, Jen has worked with hundreds of people thru the various stages of a cancer diagnosis, treatment and recovery. She has extensive experience working in a non-profit cancer centre, in private community care and instructing other health care professionals and students about the field of oncology rehab. She has completed numerous courses in cancer rehab, including lymphedema massage & care. She is also an ADP (assisted device program) Authorizer for lymphedema compression garments. At the Health Centre, Jen is currently focussed on supporting women (and men who can also get BC) manage the side effects of breast cancer treatments, including surgery, chemotherapy, radiation and reconstruction. Incorporating education, exercise, and hands on manual treatments she can help with: range of motion and safe movement, scarring and soft tissue limitations, pain, muscle strength, postural alignment, axillary cording, seroma treatment, post radiation fibrosis, and post treatment swelling and lymphedema. Jen is passionate about helping those affected by breast cancer return safely and confidently to all of their roles and the activities they love.
