PINC & STEEL cancer rehabilitation | Habit Health New Zealand

A cancer diagnosis changes everything. The treatment itself - surgery, chemotherapy, radiation - can be gruelling.

A cancer diagnosis changes everything. Treatment can be physically demanding and its effects But what happens after? For many people, the physical effects of cancer and its treatment don’t end when active treatment does. Fatigue, pain, reduced strength and mobility, lymphoedema, and changes to bladder and bowel function can persist for months or years - yet until recently, most people were left to navigate this largely on their own.

PINC & STEEL is the programme that changed that. Born in New Zealand and now practised across 24 countries, it’s one of the most significant contributions Aotearoa has made to global cancer care - and Habit Health is proud to be part of delivering it.

Where it all began: a New Zealand physiotherapist who saw a gap

PINC & STEEL was founded in 2005 by Lou James, a New Zealand physiotherapist who witnessed something she couldn’t accept: people recovering from cancer - particularly young women recovering from breast cancer - being discharged from hospital and essentially left to manage on their own. No structured rehabilitation. No physical support. No roadmap back to the life they had before.

Lou had the clinical skills to help. What she lacked was a system. So she built one.

Starting from her own practice, Lou developed an individualised, physiotherapy-based rehabilitation programme originally known as Pink Pilates, focused on the physical and mental wellbeing of women recovering from cancer. The programme grew rapidly, and Lou realised the potential to reach far more people by training other physiotherapists across New Zealand and eventually the world.

In 2006, she established the PINC & STEEL Cancer Rehabilitation Foundation NZ - a registered charitable trust and New Zealand’s only charity dedicated solely to cancer rehabilitation - to ensure that cost was never a barrier to access.

What do PINC and STEEL actually stand for?

The names are more than a brand - they reflect a philosophy:

PINC stands for Physio-delivered, Individualised, Needs-based Care.
STEEL stands for Support To Energise & Empower Lives.

Together, they capture what the programme is truly about: not just physical rehabilitation, but restoring hope, rebuilding confidence, and empowering people to reclaim their mental, emotional and social wellbeing after cancer. As the foundation puts it: ‘not dying’ is not the same as ‘being well’.

From one practice in New Zealand to 24 countries

What began in a single physiotherapy practice in Aotearoa is now the largest cancer rehabilitation programme in Australasia. The PINC & STEEL Education Academy has trained over 3,000 providers across 24 countries, including Australia, South Africa, Canada, the United States, Brazil, Ireland and the United Kingdom.

In 2011, Professor Rod MacLeod - a specialist in palliative care and Conjoint Professor of the University of Sydney - joined the board of PINC & STEEL International and helped drive the development of the STEEL programme, specifically addressing the rehabilitation needs of men affected by cancer, particularly prostate cancer.

In 2017, Lou James was appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) for her services to people with cancer - recognition of an extraordinary contribution that began with one physiotherapist refusing to accept that cancer survivors deserved anything less than a full chance at recovery.

How Habit Health delivers PINC & STEEL

Habit Health is an aligned provider of PINC & STEEL, with certified oncology physiotherapists working across the Greater Wellington region - including Wellington CBD, Hutt Valley and Kāpiti. Our physiotherapists complete specialist training before delivering the programme and keep their skills current through regular upskilling, as oncology rehabilitation evidence continues to evolve.

Patients are most commonly directed to our service by their oncology team, surgeon or GP, but self-referrals are also welcome. You can access the programme at any point in your treatment journey. Your clinician may recommend waiting until fatigue or pain levels allow you to get the most from your sessions - but timing is always discussed individually.

Once funded sessions are complete, clients and their physiotherapist work together to plan the next steps - whether that’s continuing with private physiotherapy, connecting with community groups and services, or stepping into independent activity with the confidence to do so.

What does a PINC & STEEL programme involve?

Each programme is built entirely around the individual - their diagnosis, treatment, current physical function and personal goals. There is no single template.

Your first appointment is a comprehensive assessment. Funded clients typically access up to four one-on-one sessions over a three-month period. Sessions may include:

Manual physiotherapy and soft tissue treatment
Scar tissue management
Graduated resistance and strength training
Clinical Pilates
Fatigue management strategies
Lymphoedema prevention and management
Pelvic health rehabilitation (where relevant to your treatment)
Exercise prescription for use at home and in the community

Alongside individual sessions, Habit Health’s Wellington-region clinics also run group programmes covering lymphoedema, pelvic health, paediatric oncology support, Pilates and paddling - offering connection and community alongside clinical care.

Who can access PINC & STEEL?

While PINC & STEEL began with a focus on breast cancer, the programme now supports people affected by any type of cancer, at any stage, of any age. Habit Health’s service primarily supports women with breast and lymph node cancer across the Wellington region, but depending on location, a wider range of cancer types and presentations can be supported. Both the PINC programme (for women) and the STEEL programme (for men) are available through Habit Health’s certified physiotherapists.

Access PINC & Steel through Habit Health

Our certified PINC & Steel physiotherapists work across the Greater Wellington region, including Wellington CBD, Hutt Valley and Kāpiti. Contact us to discuss your situation, check your eligibility for funded sessions and take the first step toward recovery.

Frequently asked
questions

Do I need to be fit to start PINC & STEEL?

No. The programme is fully individualised and adapted to where you are right now. Whether you’re managing significant fatigue or ready to work on strength and fitness, your physiotherapist will meet you where you are.

Is PINC & STEEL covered by ACC or insurance?

Coverage depends on your individual circumstances, treatment pathway and insurance policy. Please contact us or speak with your healthcare provider to discuss your options.

Can I access PINC & STEEL if I’ve finished treatment?

Absolutely. Many people access cancer rehabilitation months or even years after completing treatment. It’s never too late to address the physical impacts of cancer and work towards improved strength and function.

PINC & STEEL: a New Zealand story of strength, recovery and reclaiming life after cancer