ALAMOSA — A team of physical therapists at SLV Regional Medical Center (SLVRMC) recently became certified in what Carol Schneider, Ph.D., could have used years ago.

While undergoing cancer treatments in 1995, no one could tell her how to keep from getting so tired. She decided to find out for herself.

“Nobody was really doing anything for the physiological changes that could possibly cause fatigue,” she said. Exercise and its effect on cancer survivors was perhaps her greatest discovery.

A year later in 1996, the Rocky Mountain Cancer Rehabilitation Institute (RMCRI) was founded at the University of Northern Colorado (UNC).

This month, Dr. Schneider, who is the RMCRI director of research and education, and Chris Repka, RMCRI clinical coordinator, conducted an exercise specialist training course for SLVRMC physical and occupational therapists and therapy assistants.

The training was made possible by a grant from the Caring for Colorado Foundation to SLVRMC titled “Improving Cancer Care in the San Luis Valley.”

According to Dr. Schneider, the approximately 1500 survivors who have gone through the institute’s clinical program are proof its effectiveness. “It doesn’t matter what kind of cancer or treatment they have, or if they are during or following treatment,” she said.

“With exercise they’re all improving in their functional capacity and their quality of life.” It also helps them to better tolerate chemotherapy, thus giving a better chance of improving a cure for cancer. The individuals who are in treatment and those who have completed their treatment, whether recently or in years past, experience the benefits of participating in the program.

The nationally and internationally recognized institute attracts people from around the world who want to become trainers. Repka is completing his doctorate in exercise physiology while he oversees the student trainers and sometimes teaches the cancer rehab class. “It’s a lot of one on one with the trainers, making sure they are doing everything by the protocol,” he said.

SLVRMC Oncology/Infusion Director Angela Bedard had been looking at adding cancer exercise rehabilitation to the services patients can get here.

“Few rural hospitals in the United States offer this type of service so we are very fortunate that we were able to train our staff,” she said. “Cancer exercise therapy is just a part of our efforts to provide our patients with all the resources needed to maximize healing. We also provide nutrition counseling and massage as requested and will continue to develop cancer support services to meet the health needs of Valley residents.”

Now certified as a cancer exercise specialist, SLVRMC physical therapist Jake Mellott said the training has enhanced how he and his co-workers work with cancer patients. To help them achieve improvements in overall function, the therapists concentrate on strength, flexibility, muscular and cardiovascular endurance, and balance and gait.

“We want to know that you can get dressed by yourself, get in and out of your car or bed safely, effectively, and improve your fatigue,” said Mellott.

Dr Schneider said it is a nice match to look at what cancer treatments and exercise do to the body. “They work together. All cancer treatments affect every physiological system in the body. Somehow you have to combat the negative toxicities that occur,” she said.

When you exercise you are affecting every system in the body positively. We are seeing just phenomenal benefits of exercise.”

The cancer exercise rehabilitation program is for both cancer patients in treatment and cancer survivors and is available in Alamosa and Monte Vista.

For more information contact Angela Bedard at 719-587-6320.