Occupational therapy team in the office

Occupational Therapy

City of Hope's occupational therapists have specialized knowledge in how cancer can affect an individual’s cognitive, emotional, social and physical well-being. We offer tools and education to minimize disruptions to the daily flow of life, manage side effects of treatment and maximize participation in daily life.

We provide services during every part of cancer care, including new diagnosis, active treatment, survivorship, hospice and palliative care. We utilize a collaborative, person-centered approach that supports an improved quality of life.

Our specialties include:

  • Breast Cancer Recovery Program
  • Lymphedema
  • Fatigue Management
  • Lifestyle Management
  • Cognition
  • Prehabilitation
  • Coping With Stress and Anxiety
  • Delirium Prevention and Management
  • Sexuality
  • Pain Management
  • Sleep Hygiene
  • Return to Work
  • Recreation/Hobby Retraining
  • School Reintegration
  • Low Vision and Visual Deficits
  • Improving Independence With Everyday Tasks
  • End-of-Life Legacy Building and Goal Setting
  • Adaptive Equipment Recommendations

Has Cancer Affected Your Sex Life?

Occupational therapy looks at what is meaningful to you and helps you so you can live the life you want to live. Occupational therapy can address these areas by teaching skills and strategies to overcome changes in your sexuality and sex life.

Learn about the following changes that you might experience after treatment:

  • Changes in how you look and how you feel about your body
  • Erectile dysfunction
  • Fertility
  • Intimacy
  • Less or no sexual desire
  • Pain during sex and vaginal dryness

If you are seeking help from a professional, reach out to your provider to connect you with City of Hope’sDepartment of Clinical Social Work or occupational therapy programs.

Sex, Cancer and Your Body: A Class for Women

Join our experts in Occupational therapy and Rehabilitation at City of Hope's new Sex, Cancer and Your Body: A Class for Women, a new virtual program. Learn more about how cancer affects sexual health during and after cancer treatment.

Find tips and strategies to manage challenges like:

  • painful sex,
  • desire and libido,
  • intimacy,
  • how fatigue can affect sex and what you can do

Classes start in January 2024.

Register Now

Lymphedema

Lymphedema is swelling that develops due to the abnormal collection of fluid beneath the skin, often as a result of cancer or it's treatments. The City of Hope rehabilitation department has certified lymphedema specialists trained in the evaluation and treatment of various types of lymphedemas. If you think you may benefit, contact your provider for an order. Learn more

The videos listed are for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, or in-person care. Do not use these videos in the event of an emergency or to obtain emergency services; if you experience a medical emergency, call 911 immediately. Do not disregard, avoid or delay obtaining medical advice from a qualified health care professional because of information contained on the video. Nothing contained in this video is intended to be the practice of medicine or the provision of medical care. If you have questions regarding your medical condition, contact your health care provider.

Thriving After Cancer Series

Learn how to manage changes to sexual function caused by cancer in this virtual session led by nurse practitioner Brittany Bradford, M.S., and director of Rehabilitation Sherry Hite, MOT, OTR-L. Common side effects, such as pain during sex, vaginal dryness, fatigue, sensation changes and anxiety, are discussed in this educational video. The session concludes with a list of resources, including meditation exercises and helpful products. 

Seated Yoga

Practice seated yoga with manager of Occupational Therapy, Lynn Kim, OTD, OTR/L. Research studies show that yoga reduces stress, inflammation, pain and cancer-related fatigue. Find a supportive chair and press play! 

 

Download this document to learn about the psychological and medical benefits of yoga and for a list of therapeutic yoga offerings in Los Angeles, Riverside, San Diego and Ventura counties.

 

Tai Chi

Learn about the benefits of tai chi with City of Hope's manager of occupational therapy, Lynn Kim, OTD, OTR/L. An ancient Chinese martial art, tai chi cultivates inner peace and healing. Among its many benefits are the improvement of cognition after chemotherapy and the reduction of stress. 

Head and Neck Lymphedema with OT

Learn about lymphedema and how to support lymphatic flow.

 

LD Comprehensive badge


City of Hope has been awarded LE&RN's Comprehensive Cancer Center of Excellence designation.

 

Orders are required for inpatient and outpatient services.

If you would like to be evaluated by Rehabilitation Services, please ask your physician for a referral. All Rehabilitation Services (except activities coordinators services) require a doctor’s order or prescription.