Living with myeloma can bring many changes to everyday life. Fatigue, pain, reduced strength, changes in balance, and the emotional toll of treatment can make staying active feel overwhelming.
However, research continues to show that the right type of exercise, completed safely and at the right intensity, can play an important role in supporting people living with cancer – including myeloma.
An Accredited Exercise Physiologist (AEP) can help guide you through this safely, confidently, and in a way that suits your individual needs.
What is Myeloma?
Multiple Myeloma is a type of blood cancer that affects plasma cells within the bone marrow. While myeloma is considered incurable, treatments continue to improve and many people are living longer and more active lives while managing the condition. Treatment for myeloma may include:
- Chemotherapy
- Immunotherapy
- Stem cell transplant
- Radiation therapy
- Steroids and other medications
These treatments can affect the body in different ways, often impacting:
- Energy levels
- Muscle strength
- Bone health
- Balance and mobility
- Confidence with movement
- Mental wellbeing
This is where exercise, with the guidance of an Accredited Exercise Physiologist, can help.
What is an Accredited Exercise Physiologist?
An Accredited Exercise Physiologist (AEP) is a university-qualified allied health professional who specialises in using exercise as medicine. AEPs work with people living with:
- Cancer
- Chronic disease
- Persistent pain
- Injury and rehabilitation needs
- Osteoporosis and bone conditions
- Mobility and balance concerns
For people living with myeloma, an AEP creates a safe and individualised exercise program that considers:
- Current treatment
- Fatigue levels
- Bone involvement or fracture risk
- Pain
- Balance and falls risk
- Previous activity levels
- Goals and confidence
Importantly, exercise programs are tailored to the individual. There is no “one-size-fits-all” approach.
Can I Exercise During Myeloma Treatment?
In many cases, yes.
Exercise during cancer treatment is now strongly recommended by cancer and health organisations worldwide. The key is ensuring the exercise is appropriate, safe, and adapted to your current health and treatment stage. Some days your body may feel capable of more movement, while other days rest may be more important. An AEP can help guide this balance.
Exercise during treatment may help:
- Reduce cancer-related fatigue
- Improve strength and muscle mass
- Support balance and mobility
- Improve mood and mental wellbeing
- Assist with maintaining independence
- Support bone health
- Improve sleep and overall quality of life
Even small amounts of movement can make a difference.
What Does Exercise Look Like for Someone with Myeloma?
Exercise does not have to mean intense gym sessions or high-impact workouts. For many people with myeloma, exercise may include:
- Gentle strength exercises
- Walking programs
- Balance exercises
- Mobility and stretching
- Light resistance training
- Functional exercises to support daily activities
The type of exercise prescribed depends on each person’s symptoms, treatment, and bone health.
For example:
- Someone experiencing fatigue may begin with short, manageable walks
- Someone with balance concerns may focus on stability exercises
- Someone with reduced strength may complete gentle resistance exercises using bands or light weights
The goal is to help people move safely and maintain as much strength, function, and independence as possible.
Safety is Important
Because myeloma can affect bone strength, exercise should be guided carefully. An Exercise Physiologist works closely with your medical team and considers:
- Areas of bone involvement
- Fracture risk
- Pain levels
- Current blood results and treatment side effects
- Fatigue and recovery capacity
Programs are modified to reduce unnecessary strain while still helping the body stay active and strong.
“I Haven’t Exercised Before…. Is It Too Late to Start?”
Absolutely not. Many people living with cancer have never followed a structured exercise program before. Exercise can begin at any stage and is adjusted to suit your current abilities. Starting small is often the best place to begin. This may look like:
- A 5-minute walk
- Gentle sit-to-stand exercises
- Light stretching
- Breathing and posture exercises
Building confidence with movement is just as important as improving physical health.
Exercise is About More Than Fitness
For people living with myeloma, exercise is not about pushing harder or “training through” symptoms.
It is about:
- Supporting quality of life
- Helping maintain independence
- Improving confidence in movement
- Staying connected to meaningful activities
- Supporting both physical and mental wellbeing
Having support from a health professional who understands cancer and exercise can help make movement feel safer and more achievable.
How Can an Exercise Physiologist Help?
An Accredited Exercise Physiologist can:
- Assess your current strength, mobility, and balance
- Create an individualised exercise program
- Adapt exercise around treatment cycles and fatigue
- Help manage cancer-related side effects
- Support safe movement with bone involvement
- Build confidence and routine
- Work alongside your wider healthcare team
Programs can often be completed:
- At home
- In a clinic
- In a gym setting
- Individually or in small groups
Final Thoughts
Living with myeloma can feel unpredictable at times, but movement can remain an important and empowering part of care.
Exercise does not need to be perfect or intense to be beneficial. Gentle, appropriate movement guided by an Accredited Exercise Physiologist can help support strength, confidence, wellbeing, and quality of life throughout cancer treatment and beyond.
If you have questions about exercise and myeloma, speak with your healthcare team or an Accredited Exercise Physiologist to discuss what may be appropriate for you.
