Helping you eat, speak, and move with confidence through every stage of treatment.
Most people don’t realize physical therapy is recommended throughout head and neck cancer treatment. Geaux Fight is developing solid protocols specific to patients with head and neck cancer. Our goal is to help address the deficits which likely affect quality of life more than any other cancer diagnosis.
Head and neck cancer and its treatments affect far more than the tumor site. Surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, and reconstruction can impact swallowing, speech, jaw movement, and neck and shoulder function.
At Geaux Fight, we specialize in helping you recover from these changes while preventing many complications before they begin.
We help with:
- ✓ Neck and shoulder pain
- ✓ Limited range of motion
- ✓ Trismus (jaw stiffness)
- ✓ Difficulty swallowing
- ✓ Facial and neck swelling
- ✓ Lymphedema
- ✓ Chemotherapy-induced neuropathy
- ✓ Radiation fibrosis
- ✓ Scar tissue
- ✓ Neck and chest wall tightness
- ✓ Postural changes
- ✓ Muscle weakness
- ✓ Fatigue
- ✓ Balance problems
- ✓ Voice and speech changes
- ✓ Dry mouth and taste changes
- ✓ Shoulder dysfunction after neck dissection
- ✓ Osteoporosis concerns
- ✓ Returning to exercise
- ✓ Returning to work
Head & Neck Cancer Prehabilitation
Prehabilitation means starting physical therapy before your treatment begins, not after problems show up. We assess your baseline strength, neck and shoulder mobility, jaw range of motion, posture, and swallowing-related function prior to surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation, then build a plan to help your body handle treatment better and recover faster. Patients who start prehab often experience less pain, better range of motion, and fewer complications along the way.
Lymphedema Therapy
Lymph node removal, radiation, and surgery in the head and neck region can disrupt the lymphatic system, leading to swelling in the face, neck, or under the chin that may show up months or even years after treatment ends. Our lymphedema-trained therapists use manual lymphatic drainage, compression garments, and long-term self-management education to reduce swelling and help keep it from coming back. Learn more about our lymphedema program →
Dysphagia & Trismus Management
Swallowing difficulty (dysphagia) and jaw stiffness (trismus) are common after head and neck cancer treatment, especially following radiation or surgery near the jaw and throat. We work alongside your speech-language pathologist to address the musculoskeletal side of these issues, using manual therapy, dry needling, jaw-stretching devices, and soft tissue techniques to improve jaw opening and reduce the tightness that can make eating and speaking difficult.
Scar & Radiation Therapy
Surgical scars and radiation to the head and neck can leave tissue tight, restricted, and painful, limiting how far you can turn your head, open your jaw, or reach overhead. Our therapists use manual therapy and myofascial techniques to mobilize scar tissue and radiation fibrosis, restoring movement and reducing pain around the neck, jaw, and shoulder.
Exercise Oncology
Exercise is one of the most effective tools we have to help you get through treatment and support your long-term health. We build individualized, evidence-based programs for every phase of your journey, helping you maintain strength and stamina during treatment and return to the activities you love. Learn more about Exercise Oncology →
Shoulder & Neck Dissection Recovery
Neck dissection surgery can affect the spinal accessory nerve, leading to shoulder weakness, winging of the shoulder blade, and pain that limits reaching and lifting. We use targeted strengthening, scapular stabilization, and manual therapy to restore shoulder function and reduce compensatory pain patterns.
Photobiomodulation (Low-Level Laser Therapy)
Photobiomodulation uses low levels of light to reduce inflammation, ease pain, and support tissue healing. It’s a comfortable, non-invasive option we use alongside other treatments to help manage radiation-related skin changes, scar tissue, and swelling.
Ready to get started? Contact Geaux Fight today to schedule your first appointment.
FAQs
As early as possible, ideally before surgery or radiation begins (called prehabilitation). But it’s never too late to start, even years after treatment ends.
Trismus is stiffness or tightness in the jaw that limits how far you can open your mouth, common after radiation or surgery near the jaw. We use jaw-stretching exercises, dry needling, stretching devices, and manual therapy to help restore opening and make eating, speaking, and dental care easier.
Swallowing is primarily managed by a speech-language pathologist, and we work alongside your SLP as part of your care team. Our role is to address related issues like neck and jaw mobility, posture, and muscle tension that can affect swallowing function.
Yes. Therapists trained in lymphedema management use manual lymphatic drainage, compression when appropriate, exercise, and education for lifelong management to reduce swelling and help prevent it from progressing. Our goal is to keep you out of compression garments long-term — needing less compression over time means treatment is working. Learn more on our Lymphedema page.