The human body has amazing power to heal. But for anyone with cancer, the journey to recovery can feel like a long road.
Eric Wood-Salomon, a physiotherapist and owner of REBUILD Fitness and Physiotherapy in Cambridge, wants to help those with, or recovering from cancer, to get up and get going.
REBUILD offers an eight-week guided exercise program for anyone who has or has had a cancer diagnosis, pre-cancer treatment, is undergoing treatment, or is in post-treatment to help get them back into the activities they love.
“The idea is that we will have 12 people taking part who are currently undergoing cancer treatment or have finished it in the past year, as well as survivors,” Wood-Salomon says.
“It’s about showing people how to get back to feeling really good again.”
The program includes people with all cancer types and fitness levels. And Wood-Salomon says, there is still room to register.
“We run eight-week sessions, once a quarter, so this will be the last session of 2022. It will run from next week until mid-December, and then we will pick it up again in the new year,” Wood-Salomon says.
Wood-Salomon says that there are many reasons why this type of program can be effective for those living with a cancer diagnosis.
“One big reason is that you get a group of people together who have a shared experience so, people automatically have a point of connection with other people in the group. They are together and doing something positive. They can also get encouragement and motivation from other people, and hear each other’s stories,” Wood-Salomon says.
“This just naturally happens when they come together.”
Wood-Salomon says that being in a positive environment can make a big difference.
“Participants will be going to a place that is not the hospital. Going to a physio clinic or a gym is a different environment, with a more positive atmosphere. You go to the hospital when you are sick, and to a physio clinic to get stronger and build your body back,” Wood-Salomon says.
“The big thing too, is accountability during the program. People need a schedule, so having a start and an end date, and a regular routine is important, especially after a cancer diagnosis.”
It can all begin just by getting out of the house. Wood-Salomon says that the program can offer people ‘a jump start’ to their health and mindset in a positive direction.
“It takes about four weeks to build new muscle tissue. An eight-week program is essentially two cycles of a muscle building and a stamina building routine,” Wood-Salomon says.
“We’ve had people start out and say, I can’t even get off the couch. By the end of the program, people say, hey, I can do my laundry, carry it up the stairs and play with my grandkids. The sun is shining again.”
The first time Wood-Salomon was introduced to the idea of a cancer exercise program, was while he was studying at the University of Waterloo.
“There was a program there, called UW WELL-FIT. Of course, exercise is very effective, in terms of treatment,” Wood-Salomon says.
Research shows that for most people exercise is safe and helpful before, during, and after cancer treatment. It can help improve the quality of life as well as increase energy. Physical activity may also help people cope with the side effects of treatment.
“So, I thought well, we have this facility where we can offer the community something positive for those dealing with cancer,” Wood-Salomon says.
“Either you know someone in your family, or friends, we are all touched by cancer. So, I thought well, we are in Cambridge, let’s offer a program here.”
Those who join the program will receive an initial personal assessment.
“When people come in, we will do some baseline measures, such as heart rate, blood pressure, functional fitness, and then at the end, show them how much they have improved after the eight weeks. They can then take that momentum and run with it and hopefully keep going,” Wood-Salomon says.
At REBUILD Fitness and Physiotherapy, it’s about reducing pain, building strength, and maximizing quality of life. The clinic offers physiotherapy, group fitness, personal training, and massage therapy.
“The right exercise program can increase bone density, muscle mass, can lower resting heart rate and blood pressure, and people are less depressed. We are built to move, we just need to get out there and do it,” Wood-Salomon says.
And Wood-Salomon says being in a supportive environment, with people who have shared experiences, helps.
“Being in a group is very motivating, and there’s power in that,” Wood-Salomon says.
“But you first have to get out of the house and take those first couple of steps.”
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