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Rehabilitation Program for the Patient with Cancer

The Upstate Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation department has developed a program to assist patients with cancer reduce the physical effects of disease and the effects of its treatment.   

Services are provided by experienced Physical and Occupational Therapists in our four outpatient satellite offices.  Each patient receives a thorough initial evaluation which includes a discussion about symptoms, functional limitation and patient goals along with an examination.  Based on the evaluation a personalized plan for treatment is developed.

Upstate Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation department also offers a fatigue management program for those undergoing treatment for cancer.   It is a special exercise program supervised by a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant that involves using cardiovascular exercise and strengthening to combat fatigue.  Enrollment into program can occur before treatment or can begin at the start of treatment.  Exercise continues as tolerated until the end of chemotherapy or radiation.

Goals of Rehabilitation:

  • Maintain or increase muscle strength
  • Maintain or increase aerobic capacity
  • Decrease pain
  • Limit bone loss though weight bearing exercise
  • Improve balance and decrease falls/risk for falls
  • Prevent/manage lymphedema
  • Improve general function
  • Decrease fatigue
  • Improve ability to perform activities of daily living and self care tasks
  • Provide/suggest adaptive devices to improve performance of activities of daily living

Goals are achieved through:

  • Exercise
  • Range of motion activities/stretching
  • Balance training
  • Modalities (ice, heat, TENS etc)
  • Massage
  • Aquatic therapy
  • Activities of daily living training
  • Relaxation
  • Teaching energy conservation strategies
  • Splinting
  • Education on adaptive/compensatory strategies for memory, attention and organizational skills

A referral from your physician is needed for enrollment into this program.  Please call 464-6543 to schedule an appointment.

Providers

Lauren E Buck, PT, DPT, CLT-LANA
Lauren E Buck, PT, DPT, CLT-LANA
315 464-6543

Diseases/Specialties/Treatments

Certified Lymphedema Therapist; Absence of Breast; Aging Issues; Amputation; Arthritis; Breast Cancer; more

Clinical Interests

  • Geriatric Physical Therapy, Balance and fall prevention


Rebecca S Carey, PT, DPT, E-RYT
Rebecca S Carey, PT, DPT, E-RYT
315 464-6543

Education & Fellowships

  • DPT: SUNY Upstate Medical University, 2018
  • BA: Binghamton University, 2009

Diseases/Specialties/Treatments

Endometriosis; Levator Syndrome; Low Back Pain; Low Back Pain During Pregnancy; Pelvic Floor Disorders; Pelvic Trauma; more

Research Interests

  • Pelvic Health; Yoga; Integrative Medicine; Mindfulness

Education Interests

  • Pelvic Health; Yoga for Spine Disorders, Neurological Disorders, Pelvic Health

Clinical Interests

  • Neurological Disorders; Pelvic Pain; Pelvic Health; Pre and Post Natal Pelvic Rehabilitation; Spine

Associations/Memberships

  • American Physical Therapy Association (APTA)

Chad E Hanifin, PT, DPT
Chad E Hanifin, PT, DPT
315 464-2282

Education & Fellowships

  • DPT: Utica College, 2013
  • BS: Quinnipiac College, 1999, Physical Therapy

Diseases/Specialties/Treatments

Physical Therapy; Acute & Chronic Diseases and Conditions in Adult Patients; Acute & Chronic Diseases and Conditions in Pediatric Patients; Adult Leukemia; Adult Lymphoma; Advanced Prostate Cancer; more

Clinical Interests

  • Geriatrics.  Cancer.  Acute Care.


Michelle Jay, PT, DPT, WCC, CLT-LANA
Michelle Jay, PT, DPT, WCC, CLT-LANA
315 464-5540

Education & Fellowships

  • DPT: Clarkson University, 2012, Physical Therapy
  • BS: Clarkson University, 2009, Business and Technology Management

Diseases/Specialties/Treatments

Wound Care; Certified Lymphedema Therapist; Lymphedema Management, Rehab Service; Orthopedic Physical Therapy; Outpatient Physical Therapy

Kaelynn E Kocsis
Kaelynn E Kocsis
315 464-2282

Education & Fellowships

  • MS: Utica College, 2011, Occupational Therapy

Diseases/Specialties/Treatments

Occupational Therapy - Adult; Acute & Chronic Diseases and Conditions in Adult Patients; Alzheimer's Disease - Dementia; Amputation; Brain Cancer; Brain Injury; more

Education Interests

  • Stroke treatment

    Vision treatment

     

Clinical Interests

  • neuro rehab, stroke, TBI


Ami Myers, MS, OTR/L, CBIS
Ami Myers, MS, OTR/L, CBIS
315 464-6543

Education & Fellowships

  • MS: Nazareth College of Rochester, 2017, Occupational Therapy
  • BS: Nazareth College of Rochester, 2016, Occupational Therapy

Diseases/Specialties/Treatments

Certified Brain Injury Specialist (CBIS); Occupational Therapy - Pediatrics; Occupational Therapy - Adult; Acute & Chronic Diseases and Conditions in Adult Patients; Acute & Chronic Diseases and Conditions in Pediatric Patients; All Cancers and Hematological Conditions; more

Clinical Interests

  • Neurology and Pediatrics


Justine C Playford, MS, OTR/L
Justine C Playford, MS, OTR/L
315 464-2282

Education & Fellowships

  • BS: University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, 2018, Occupational Science
  • MS: University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, 2018, Occupational Therapy

Diseases/Specialties/Treatments

Occupational Medicine; Acute & Chronic Diseases and Conditions in Adult Patients; Amputation; Brain Injury; Concussion; Fracture; more

Meaghan Porter, PT, DPT
Meaghan Porter, PT, DPT
315 464-2282

Education & Fellowships

  • DPT: Nazareth College of Rochester, 2018, Physical Therapy

Diseases/Specialties/Treatments

Bone Cancer; Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD ); Hip Fracture; Neuropathy; Pulmonary Disorders; Inpatient Physical Therapy

Research Interests

  • Benefits of mobility in the ICU with intubated patients to improve function. 

     

Clinical Interests

  • Oncology, Respiratory Diseases, Early Mobility in the ICU, Emergency Care in GEM


Joanne Scandale, PhD, CRC, CCM, LMHC, CBIST, CCTP, CCATP
Joanne Scandale, PhD, CRC, CCM, LMHC, CBIST, CCTP, CCATP
315 464-6543

Education & Fellowships

  • PhD: Syracuse University, 2004, Rehabilitation Counseling

Diseases/Specialties/Treatments

Certified Brain Injury Specialist (CBIS); Brain Injury; Brain Injury Rehabilitation; Vocational Rehabilitation

Janice L Singer-Wagner, MS, CCC/SLP
Janice L Singer-Wagner, MS, CCC/SLP
315 464-6543

Education & Fellowships

  • MS: Columbia University, 1979, speech/language pathology

Diseases/Specialties/Treatments

Speech Pathology; Dysphagia; Head and Neck Cancer; Stroke; Fiberopic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES); Modified Barium Swallow Study (MBSS)

Associations/Memberships

  • American Speech -Language -Hearing Association

Kayla Vanbrocklin, OTR
Kayla Vanbrocklin, OTR
315 464-2282

Diseases/Specialties/Treatments

Occupational Therapy

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