Physical Therapy for the Bone Marrow Transplant Patient (The James)

Physical Therapy for the Bone Marrow Transplant Patient (The James)

 

As a part of your complete care, your doctor would like you to have physical therapy to help improve your physical well-being. Exercise is an important part of your bone marrow transplant (BMT) and recovery. Exercise can help fight fatigue, boost your energy level, relieve stress and tension, make your muscles stronger and help you sleep better.

A physical therapy evaluation will be done to check your strength, range of motion, balance and endurance. During your evaluation, your physical therapist will show you around the BMT gym and talk with you about how to start an exercise routine. Your therapist help make an exercise plan that meets your specific needs and goals. Your therapist will talk with you about how often you will meet to check in on your progress and answer any questions you may have

 

Your daily exercise goals:

  • Walk at least 3 times each day
  • Get out of bed to eat all your meals
  • Walk to the bathroom to do your personal hygiene routine each day
  • Use the BMT gym to exercise each day

You may feel more tired on days 6 to 8, when your blood counts are low. It is important to ask for help when you get out of bed during this time. If you are unable to walk, try to do your exercise program during the day.

 

BMT Walking Log:

Use this log to track how much you have walked each day. Put a mark down for each lap you walked. It may help to set daily walking goals. 

Week Monday  Tuesday Wednesday Thursday    Friday    Saturday  Sunday 
1

 

 

      
2

 

 

      
3

 

 

      
4

 

 

      
1 lap = 250 feet     21 laps = 1 mile

 

Bone Marrow Transplant Beginner Exercise Program

You should try to be active each day and return to your normal daily activities as soon as your doctor says it is okay. It is important to start slowly and increase your activity over time. Remember to breathe during each exercise. If you have pain or discomfort when you do these exercises, stop and talk with your physical therapist.

  • Do each exercise ____ times.
  • Do each exercise ____ times each week

 

Ankle Pumps

  1. Slowly move your foot up and down as if pushing down or letting up on a gas pedal in a car.

Straight Leg Raise

  1. Lie down on your back. Bend your knees to keep your feet flat on floor.
  2. Breathe out and slowly lift your leg up toward the ceiling to straighten your leg.
  3. Hold for 5 seconds.
  4. Breathe in and slowly lower your leg back to starting position.
  5. Repeat with your other leg.

Bridge

  1. Lie down you your back with your knees bent.
  2. Keep your stomach muscles tight and your shoulders on the bed or floor. Breathe out and slowly lift your bottom up off the bed or floor.
  3. Hold for 5 seconds.
  4. Breathe in and slowly lower your bottom back down.

Leg Extensions

  1. Sit in a chair with your head up and your back straight.
  2. Breathe out and slowly kick your leg out to straighten your knee.
  3. Hold for 5 seconds.
  4. Breathe in and slowly lower your leg back to starting position.
  5. Repeat with your other leg.

Marching

  1. Sit in a chair with your head up and your back straight.
  2. Breathe out and slowly lift your knee up. Keep your knee bent.
  3. Hold for 5 seconds.
  4.  Breathe in and slowly lower your leg back to starting position.
  5. Repeat with your other leg.

Clamshells

  1. Sit in a chair with your head up and your back straight.
  2. Breathe out and slowly pull your knees apart. Keep your feet together.  
  3. Hold for 5 seconds.
  4. Breathe in and slowly return to starting position.

Toe Raises

  1. Stand up straight with your feet slightly apart. It may help to hold onto a chair for balance.
  2. Breathe out and slowly rise up on your toes.
  3. Hold for 5 seconds.
  4. Breathe in and slowly lower your heels down to the floor.

Hip Abduction

  1. Stand up straight with your feet together. It may help to hold onto a chair for balance.
  2. Breathe out and slowly move your leg out to the side.
  3. Hold for 5 seconds.
  4. Breathe in and slowly return your leg to the starting position.
  5. Repeat with your other leg.

Mini Squats

  1. Stand up straight with your feet shoulder-width apart. It may help to hold onto a chair for balance.
  2. Breathe out and slowly bend your knees. Keep both feet flat on the floor.
  3. Hold for 5 seconds.
  4. Breathe in and slowly return to starting position.

 

 

© August 22, 2022. The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute.

This handout is for informational purposes only. Talk with your doctor or health care team if you have any questions about your care.