PINC and STEEL Cancer Rehabilitation

Cancer Rehabilitation in Bunbury: Regain Strength & Wellness

A cancer diagnosis and the journey through treatment can be overwhelming, affecting not just your health but your physical strength, energy, and overall well-being. Even after treatment finishes, you might not feel 100%.

At Aspire Physiotherapy Bunbury, we understand. We are proud to offer specialised cancer rehabilitation programs designed to support you on your path to recovery. Our goal is to help you shift your focus from illness to wellness, empowering you to feel more in control of your body and your life again.

Our certified PINC and STEEL Cancer Rehab Physiotherapist, Pia, is here to guide you with a personalised, evidence-based program tailored to your unique needs.

Specialised Programs for Women and Men

We offer two internationally recognised rehabilitation programs, delivered right here in Bunbury.

The PINC Program for Women

The PINC program provides individualised, exercise-based rehabilitation to give women with cancer strength and support through every stage of their recovery. Delivered by a certified PINC Physiotherapist, the program helps you heal, regain function, and improve your quality of life.

• P = Physiotherapists delivering the program
• I = Individualised prescribed sessions
• N = Nurturing to reclaim your quality of life
• C = Cancer Rehabilitation

The STEEL Program for Men

The STEEL program is designed to help men rebuild their strength and endurance after a cancer diagnosis. A certified STEEL Physiotherapist will provide a prescribed, one-on-one rehabilitation plan to help you heal as effectively as possible and function at your best through treatment and beyond.

The Proven Benefits of Cancer Rehabilitation

Research overwhelmingly shows that specialised, prescribed exercise is a crucial component of cancer recovery. A targeted rehabilitation program can help you:

• Reduce Side Effects: Alleviate and improve your tolerance to treatment-related side effects like fatigue, nausea, and joint pain.
• Improve Treatment Tolerance: Better manage the effects of chemotherapy and hormone therapy.
• Speed Up Recovery: Return to your daily activities and feel more like ‘yourself’ sooner.
• Decrease Fatigue: One of the most common side effects, fatigue can be effectively managed with targeted, gentle exercise.
• Boost Quality of Life: Regain confidence, improve mobility, and enhance your overall well-being.
• Lower Health Risks: Improve long-term mortality outcomes and decrease co-morbidities.

Our Comprehensive Approach to Cancer Rehab in Bunbury

At Aspire Physiotherapy, your rehabilitation is multifaceted and completely tailored to you. Your personalised program may include a combination of the following:

• Manual Physiotherapy: Hands-on treatment to improve range of motion, manage scarring, treat cording (Axillary Web Syndrome), and assist with lymphoedema.
• Physical & Functional Assessments: We establish a baseline by assessing your strength, balance, flexibility, and limb volume to identify factors limiting your function.
• Individualised Clinical Pilates: A safe and effective way to improve core strength, mobility, posture, and bone density.
• Fatigue Management: We teach you practical pacing strategies, breathing techniques, and introduce gentle resistance training proven to reduce fatigue.
• Resistance Training: Helps improve chemotherapy tolerance, manage side effects, build strength, and protect bone density.
• Tailored Exercise Prescription: We design a program you enjoy—whether it’s based on Pilates, gym work, or yoga—to maintain fitness and prevent deconditioning during treatment.
• Breathing Exercises: Stress and treatment can negatively impact breathing patterns. We help you restore proper technique to improve energy levels, sleep, and mental health.

Your Rehabilitation Journey: The 4 Phases

The PINC & STEEL programs are structured into four phases. You will progress through them at your own pace, depending on your condition, surgery type, and treatment schedule.

1. Pre-Op Phase: Before your surgery, we conduct an assessment to prepare you. This includes strengthening exercises, improving stamina, and providing education to optimise your recovery.
2. Post-Op Phase: Soon after surgery, the focus is on healing. We use manual therapy and gentle, modified exercises to restore strength and flexibility to affected areas, helping you recover safely.
3. Adjuvant Cancer Treatment Phase: During chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or hormone therapy, our goal is to help you maintain your health and energy. We work to manage fatigue, preserve muscle mass, and minimise functional decline.
4. Fitness Phase: Once your main treatments are complete, we focus on building your overall fitness and stamina. This phase is designed to improve cardiovascular health, strength, and endurance, helping you fully return to work, sport, and the life you love.

What to Expect at Aspire Physiotherapy Bunbury

We believe in starting gently and building from there. Research supports “exercise snacking”—short, manageable bursts of activity—to conserve energy while maximising benefits.

• 40-Minute Initial Assessment: Your journey begins with a confidential one-on-one consultation with Pia. We’ll discuss your diagnosis, treatment, and personal goals. A physical assessment will help us create your tailored rehabilitation plan.
• Gradual Progression: We progress at a pace that feels right for you. Your rehabilitation may follow these steps as your strength and energy improve:
  • Hands-on physiotherapy as required.
  • 20-minute guided rehab sessions.
  • 30-minute guided rehab sessions.
  • 40-minute guided rehab sessions.
  • 60-minute sessions (either one-on-one or in a class setting).

This gradual approach ensures you are never overloaded. As you meet your goals, we can help you transition back to your previous activities, like yoga, gym classes, or personal training, with confidence.

Take the First Step on Your Road to Recovery

This program is suitable for individuals of all ages and fitness levels, following any type of cancer surgery or treatment.

You don’t have to navigate your recovery alone. Pia, your local PINC & STEEL Cancer Rehab Physiotherapist in Bunbury, will guide, support, and encourage you every step of the way. Let us help you get stronger, feel more in control, and get back to living your life to the fullest.