Exercise Physiologist, where do you get one?
Hi All, I just watched the rerun of the Catalyst program about exercising with chemotherapy, it was originally screened in May 2016. It was amazing the improvements in people's health and cancer reocc...
Forum Discussion
Hi @"Kim R"
It is frustrating that not many people are offered the opportunity to see an exercise physiologist at ANY stage of this process. I also saw the Catalyst program and it certainly made sense to me that exercise during chemo could really help to minimize the effects on the body. I would have loved this opportunity during chemo but am pretty sure that is not on offer where I live either.
It is not simply a matter of whether Medicare or private health funds will pay for it, it is that they are simply either not available in some areas or doctors are not fully aware of what they are capable of. I was in reasonable general health when diagnosed and muddled my way through treatment doing what I could exercise wise (mainly walking). After reading about other people's experiences on here I tried to find someone who could assist me in my recovery after treatment. The best I could find locally was a physio trained in Pinc Pilates. I found her terrific but due to her own health issues she is no longer providing this service!
Then when almost 3 years down the track I discovered I had bone density issues, no one (doctors I mean) suggested that an exercise physiologist could help. Again I was told to walk (I was already doing lots of this, plus the Pilates/yoga home routine that I had been given by the physio). 12 months later my bone density was at osteoporotic level in my lumbar spine and again all that was suggested was walking and medication.
Through my own stubbornness and consequent reasearch I discovered a facility with an exercise physiologist 1 1/2 hours away. They specialised in helping people overcome bone density issues with impressive research to back up their program. Incidentally I discovered they also run clinical classes for people going through chemo too!!
I have had 2 visits to the exercise physiologist (through the GP Management Plan subsidised through Medicare) and one to their dietician. I attend their weight lifting program 2 or 3 times a week and absolutely love it. I really feel that this is the answer for me regarding my bone density issue. I have side stepped medication for now and will find out in Feb if this is going to work for me.
At first I had to drive the 3 hour round trip twice a week to attend these classes designed by the exercise physiologist. But luckily they have since opened another facility much closer to me (only a 50 minute round trip!).
So I'm sorry I don't necessarily have an answer in regard to how you can find an exercise physiologist except to say that in my experience you have to just keep looking. Then if you can find one within travelling distance, get your GP to do up the Management Plan to help pay for it.
Maybe one day it will be more like what we saw on the Catalyst program with an integrated approach to our health. But in my experience we are far from it in most areas of this big country. Good luck. They are definitely worth the effort if you can find one. :)
It is frustrating that not many people are offered the opportunity to see an exercise physiologist at ANY stage of this process. I also saw the Catalyst program and it certainly made sense to me that exercise during chemo could really help to minimize the effects on the body. I would have loved this opportunity during chemo but am pretty sure that is not on offer where I live either.
It is not simply a matter of whether Medicare or private health funds will pay for it, it is that they are simply either not available in some areas or doctors are not fully aware of what they are capable of. I was in reasonable general health when diagnosed and muddled my way through treatment doing what I could exercise wise (mainly walking). After reading about other people's experiences on here I tried to find someone who could assist me in my recovery after treatment. The best I could find locally was a physio trained in Pinc Pilates. I found her terrific but due to her own health issues she is no longer providing this service!
Then when almost 3 years down the track I discovered I had bone density issues, no one (doctors I mean) suggested that an exercise physiologist could help. Again I was told to walk (I was already doing lots of this, plus the Pilates/yoga home routine that I had been given by the physio). 12 months later my bone density was at osteoporotic level in my lumbar spine and again all that was suggested was walking and medication.
Through my own stubbornness and consequent reasearch I discovered a facility with an exercise physiologist 1 1/2 hours away. They specialised in helping people overcome bone density issues with impressive research to back up their program. Incidentally I discovered they also run clinical classes for people going through chemo too!!
I have had 2 visits to the exercise physiologist (through the GP Management Plan subsidised through Medicare) and one to their dietician. I attend their weight lifting program 2 or 3 times a week and absolutely love it. I really feel that this is the answer for me regarding my bone density issue. I have side stepped medication for now and will find out in Feb if this is going to work for me.
At first I had to drive the 3 hour round trip twice a week to attend these classes designed by the exercise physiologist. But luckily they have since opened another facility much closer to me (only a 50 minute round trip!).
So I'm sorry I don't necessarily have an answer in regard to how you can find an exercise physiologist except to say that in my experience you have to just keep looking. Then if you can find one within travelling distance, get your GP to do up the Management Plan to help pay for it.
Maybe one day it will be more like what we saw on the Catalyst program with an integrated approach to our health. But in my experience we are far from it in most areas of this big country. Good luck. They are definitely worth the effort if you can find one. :)