Recommended Links Resources on other Web sites for cancer patients and their caregivers 
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Rehabilitation
Cancer of the spinal cord can cause pain, numbness, weakness in the legs or arms, loss of balance. This can result in difficulty in walking and moving around and can limit a patient's ability to perform simple daily activities -- such as getting in and out of bed, walking, bathing, or getting dressed.
Regardless of what symptoms a tumor may produce and the type of medical treatment patients undergo, Memorial Sloan Kettering's rehabilitation team aims to relieve muscle, bone, and nerve pain.
Following surgery, a member of the rehabilitation team (a rehabilitation physician and/or physical therapists) evaluates patients to determine the best course of action to improve their function and enhance their quality of life. Cancer treatments such as spinal surgery or radiation therapy can change the character of the muscles and soft tissues of the back, resulting in pain, stiffness, impaired flexibility and range of motion, and weakness. To help the patient build strength, our physical and occupational therapists provide exercises and other therapies following treatment to help strengthen affected muscles and loosen other supporting tissues of the body.
In addition, we educate patients and their families on specific mobility precautions and provide the therapeutic exercises, cognitive training, and energy conservation techniques that will most benefit each patient. We also provide patients who need them with assistive devices such as a cane or walker, and instruct them in exercises to improve balance, strength, and endurance.
To learn more about the role of rehabilitation services in the care of cancer patients, visit our Rehabilitation section.
Other Support Services
In addition to rehabilitation therapy, Memorial Sloan-Kettering offers a wide range of support services for spine tumor patients, including the following:
Living Beyond Cancer
People facing the challenges of cancer survivorship can access a variety of support services through the Living Beyond Cancer section of our Web site. This section includes information about professionally led support groups and counseling; survivorship clinics to manage late effects of cancer and treatment; recommendations about screening and healthy living; and specialized services to address sexual and reproductive health. We also offer a range of resources to help survivors, families, and friends better understand the complex emotional and social issues following treatment.
Additional services are offered through our Post-Treatment Resource Program, which provides a full range of educational support services, including individual and family counseling, periodic lectures or workshops to provide medical updates, and practical guidance on employment and insurance issues.
Integrative Medicine Service
Our Integrative Medicine Service is designed to enhance cancer patients' quality of life through healing regimens that address the body, mind, and spirit. Beneficial complementary therapies include various types of massage, acupuncture, hypnotherapy, meditation, visualization and other mind-body therapies, music therapy, and nutritional counseling, as well as classes such as yoga, t'ai chi, and chair aerobics.
Memorial Sloan-Kettering Counseling Center
Our Counseling Center offers individual and family counseling sessions to help patients and their families address the problems that they may encounter in adjusting to life during and after treatment.
