Active Living for Cancer Rehab

Summarized by Dr. Agnes Coutinho PhD

The Canadian Cancer Society recommends incorporating regular physical activity, as part of a healthy lifestyle and weight management plan to prevent the development of certain types of cancer (especially colon and breast cancer). We want to thank all of our clients who have shared their experiences of using our poles through their personal treatment and recovery-phase. Your touching and inspirational stories have helped to motivate others to try our program and experience the benefits for themselves. As you have told us and research supports, walking with poles versus walking without poles may help boost self-esteem, improve sleep and energy levels, as well as lower depression and anxiety, while helping with pain management.

“For someone who is used to be being very active, Urban Poling helped me with my core strengthening and regaining my physical health.  It was one of the many awesome tools that supported my recovery from breast cancer (surgery and radiation) “
-Cheryl

Research Benefits

Evidence-based studies clearly identify Urban Poling, with the proper training, as a healthy mode of physical activity suited for improving quality of life. Urban Poling offers proven beneficial effects on general key health parameters which may include:

• Quality of Life, social interaction, self-esteem
• Functional independence
• Core Strength
• Mood / level of anxiety or depression
• Reduces lymphedema, swelling & tightness
• Upper extremity mobility and strength (especially pertaining to breast cancer)
• Muscular endurance
• Posture, stability & balance
• Exercise tolerance
• Personal exertion limits

Sources:
(Tschentscher et al 2013) Health Benefits of Nordic Walking A Systematic Review. PubMed
(Sprod et al 2005) The Effects of Walking Poles on Shoulder Function in Breast Cancer Survivors. Integrated Cancer Therapy

Contact Us for more information or to obtain a client education sheet on walking poles for cancer.

“Most people gain weight during chemotherapy because they are exhausted with a total lack of stamina” she said. With  lifestyle changes including a change in diet, Gabriela Valente’s stamina kept up and actually improved over the course of her treatment. Valente says in the midst of her treatment, she was walking more than three kilometers a day. “I found as I went on I really appreciated it because it calmed me down and became a form of meditation.”
-Gabriela Valente, from CBC Live Right Now Article