The Post-Chemotherapy Neuropathy Patient -Can YOU Help Them?

A cancer diagnosis is terrifying. The questions, the fear, and the concept of facing mortality arc enough to paralyze even the strongest individual. In the not so distant past, the standard was surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation, or some combination of the three, and that was it. Then the patient played the waiting game to see what, if anything, worked. People didn't realize that the end of a course of chemotherapy was not the end of the healing process. They would deal with the lasting effects of chemo­therapy long after their hair returned and the nausea ended. One lasting effect for some patients is post-chemo­therapy peripheral neuropathy. Fortunately for the community, cancer patients arc quickly learning that the right combination of physical therapy, nutri­tion, and often the correct forms of nerve stimulation in the hands of a skilled therapist can help alleviate the symptoms of post-chemotherapy peripheral neuropath}-. The post-chemotherapy peripheral neuropathy patient is becoming an enlightened consumer of this specialty practice that goes beyond traditional medications and standard medical treatments. A new. progressive approach to treating peripheral neuropa­thy symptoms gives specialty-trained DCs an ever-expanding patient population to serve. Treating patients who have already been through an experience that most people fear can be incred­ibly rewarding. To get these patients in your office though, you need to show them exactly how your training, expertise, and specialty care can improve quality of life. It's not just about marketing tradi­tional care that people associate with post-op issues or sports injuries. It's about educating potential post-chemotherapy peripheral neuropathy patients on a multi-pronged approach to their medical issues: Its Not Just About Weight Loss or Some Device! Chances arc that a therapist specializing in neuropathy has never treated} our potential post-chemotherapy peripheral neu­ropathy patients. They may think they know what a specialty DC docs, but they may not understand everything that your unique services can do to manage their condition. Traditionally, your therapy is associated with the treatment of injuries and illnesses affecting the bones, muscles, ligaments, tendons, and joints. In educating post-chemotherapy peripheral neuropathy patients, recognize tliat they may deal with gait problems, muscular weakness, or even issues caused by radia­tion. Your usual techniques cannot always address the stress of dealing with any of these conditions. Great therapy can help the post-chemotherapy neuropathy patient deal with the symptoms and pain associated with both their cancer and their course of treatment. Often, by carefully addressing pain in the correct way. as well as related tissues. we may actually stimulate a healthier nervous system, which is a basic building block for regaining prc-cancer health and alleviating nerve pain. Nutrition Chemotherapy and other cancer medications can wreck a patient's digestive system. In the process of killing cancer cells, it can also damage healthy cells, which brings on the side effects of chemotherapy. This not only af­fects the ability to cat. but also prevents the body from getting the nutrients it needs. Learn enough about good nutrition, but beyond that, knowing the basics of the biochemistry of nerve metabolism al­lows you to talk professionally to your post-chemotherapy peripheral neuropathy patients and their physicians about their nutrition issues. They may be dealing with any number of symptoms ranging from nausea and loss of appetite to dry mouth and changes in their senses of taste and smell. Offering nutrition information and dietary planning in your practice's ser­vices is another way to serve this patient population. Good nutrition will boost the immune system and let it do its job fighting off illnesses brought on by chemotherapy. Potential post-chemotherapy peripheral neuropathy patients may not realize that you can help with this is an area of their recovery. So if you trained in this specialty, make sure to include nutrition informa­tion in your patient education materials. Post-chemotherapy peripheral neuropath} patients need to make sure they're getting nutrients to prevent or reverse nutritional deficiencies, lessen the side effects of treatment, and improve quality of life. Without appropriate, simultaneous nutri­tion, other treatment protocols have no chance to succeed. Just be sure you arc trained and working within the scope of your license. Appropriate Neuropathy Treatment Once a course of treatment lias been de­signed and a nutrition plan established, the final piece in the overall treatment of the post-chemotherapy peripheral neuropathy patient treatment plan is modality selection and combination. There are several neuropathy treatment devices and therapies being advocated to help peripheral neuropathy patients. Misapplication is dangerous. Learning the correct applications for both clinic and home care for each unique patient is the best course of action. Some patients may have adopted an attitude of "I went through chemotherapy and my cancer is gone. I shouldn't complain about nerve pain, tingling, and numbness. I should just be thankful to be alive." What they need to know is that they don't always have to live with sleeplessness, pain, and balance and walking issues secondary to their treatment. Those who are specialty trained and properly equipped can offer them hope for a more nonnal life without debilitating pain. Yes. they survived cancer, but many can beat post-chemother­apy peripheral neuropathy too. Precise combinations of therapy, nutrition, and often forms of LLLT and LED with combined ncurostimulation are show ing great promise in helping post-chemotherapy peripheral neu­ropathy patients return to a pain-free life without the debilitating effects of neuropathy. Sen ing this courageous patient population can be incredibly rewarding. However, this subspccialty takes some study and time to learn—you cant learn it in a weekend. When you are ready, let them know you're there to help them. Just be sure you arc the real deal. If not. let them seek appropri­ate care elsewhere. Dr John Hayes, consultant, author and clinical instructor has an extensive clinically balanced back­ground, and works actively with many doctors whose sole purpose is to deliver excellence in patient care. His purpose is to provide fellow healthcare praclilio- ners with the systems, platforms, tools and executive skills needed in todays very complex arena, without unneeded stress. You can find out more at http.: NeuropalhyDomination.com or callJes at 1-781-754-0599 24/7.