Fitness

At Ottawa Cancer and Lymphatics Centre, our rehabilitation-focused fitness programs are designed specifically for people navigating cancer, lymphatic disorders, and surgical recovery. Every plan is developed and supervised by regulated healthcare professionals, including physiotherapists and kinesiologists. Fitness means something different to everyone — and it can change dramatically after a health diagnosis or surgery. In our clinic, fitness is about building your strength, mobility, balance, confidence, and resilience at any stage of your healing journey. 

Our programs are built around key pillars of recovery-focused fitness: 

• Cardiovascular endurance 
• Muscular strength 
• Flexibility and range of motion 
• Balance and coordination 
• Lymphatic support and swelling reduction 
• Energy conservation and fatigue management 
• Pelvic floor awareness 
• Nervous system regulation (including yoga and breathwork) 

Each program is tailored to your diagnosis, treatment history, and current physical capacity — so you can move safely and intentionally. 

Why Exercise Matters During and After Cancer 

Strong research supports the benefits of movement for people living with or recovering from cancer. Exercise is known to: 

• Reduce treatment-related side effects (fatigue, nausea, neuropathy, constipation) 
• Improve strength and function after surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy 
• Help prevent or manage lymphedema and other lymphatic complications 
• Promote tissue healing, especially after mastectomy, abdominal, or pelvic surgery 
• Maintain bone density and lean muscle mass 
• Improve mood, sleep, and mental health 
• Reduce the risk of cancer recurrence in some populations 
• Support immune function and cardiovascular health 
• Enhance quality of life and independence 

Whether you were active before your diagnosis or completely new to exercise, we’ll meet you where you are and help you move forward safely. 

Our rehabilitative fitness programs are appropriate for anyone experiencing: 

• Cancer-related fatigue or deconditioning 
• Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) 
• Lymphedema or lipedema 
• Post-operative swelling or stiffness 
• Reduced mobility or strength after surgery 
• Anxiety or mood changes related to inactivity 
• Joint pain, stiffness, or balance issues 
• General decline in physical function 

We regularly work with patients affected by breast, gynecologic, prostate, colorectal, head and neck, melanoma, urogenital, and abdominal cancers, as well as those with benign lymphatic or surgical concerns. 

Exercise for Lymphedema

Exercise is essential — and safe — for people living with primary or secondary lymphedema when done with the right guidance. Our team understands the unique needs of these conditions and will incorporate: 

• Strength training to support lymphatic return 
• Compression education for safe movement 
• Modified aerobic exercise 
• Breathing and mobility exercises to stimulate lymph flow 

What to Expect 

Step 1: Initial Assessment
You’ll meet with one of our qualified team members (physiotherapist or kinesiologist) for a one-on-one fitness evaluation. We’ll assess your current activity level including your strength, flexibility, endurance and balance while discussing your goals and limitations to determine an appropriate and effective treatment plan. 

Step 2: Personalized Programming
We’ll develop an individualized fitness program tailored to your goals and comfort level. You’ll receive guidance on frequency, intensity, duration, and type of movement — all grounded in oncology rehab guidelines and best practices for lymphatic safety. Programs can be delivered one-on-one in person in our onsite gym space, virtually via our secure online platform, or independently at home with periodic check-ins with your therapist. 

All fitness programming at Ottawa Cancer and Lymphatics Centre is evidence-informed and inclusive of all genders, body sizes, and movement backgrounds. Our fitness programming and exercise prescription is always supervised by a licensed professional.

Whether you want to walk with less fatigue, return to the activities you love, or simply feel like yourself again — movement can be your medicine. And we’re here to guide you every step of the way. 

 

Yoga and Restorative Movement

Yoga is a powerful complementary therapy for cancer care and lymphatic health.  

Yoga programming coming soon.