Chiropractic and Cancer

A presentation by Frank M. Painter, D.C. for

Early Influences

Love, Medicine and MiraclesBy Bernie S. Siegel, M.D.

• This doctor broke the mold with his heart

• Unconditional love is the most powerful stimulant of the immune system

• Miracles can happen every day (positive mental attitude)

What is Chiropractic?

• Chiropractic care is a holistic approach to managing health

• It is the largest healing profession that does not use drugs or surgery by choice

• It began in 1895 with DD Palmer and Harvey Lillard’s hearing loss

The Chiropractic Approach

• Best known for spinal adjusting

(aka spinal manipulation)

• DCs are holistic, and may also use acupuncture, nutritional consultation, diet modification, and supervised rehabilitation to bring about therapeutic change

Research Study

2005 study, published in Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

• Studied pain in persons with moderate to severe neuro-musculo-skeletal pain

• The most frequent pain sites: back (49%), leg (47%), shoulder (43%), neck (40%), buttock and hip(s) (37%), feet (36%), arm(s) (36%), and hand(s) (35%).

Research ResultsChiropractic scored the highest pain relief

Technique Used Pain Relief

Chiropractic Manipulation 7.33

Nerve Blocks 6.75

Narcotics 6.37

Muscle Relaxants 5.78

Massage 5.48

Acupuncture 5.29

Ibuprofen, AspirinClin J Pain 2005 (Jan);   21 (1):   18–26

5.22

Also from 2005

Alternatives in Cancer Pain Treatment:

The Application of Chiropractic Care

Seminars in Oncology Nursing 2005 (Aug): 184–189

The authors concluded: “Chiropractic is one of the leading

alternatives to standard medical treatment for cancer pain management.”

Best Article on the Topic

The Chiropractor's Role in Pain Management for Oncology Patients

J Manipulative Physiol Ther 2001 (Jan): 52–57

• Provides an outline for “co-management”

• I can e-mail Full-Text copies if you are interested

The Roles

• Oncologist institutes necessary treatment for the primary disease process

• Chiropractor provides noninvasive and non-pharmacologic options for decreasing pain and improving function

Chiropractic Care Can:

• Enhance a cancer patient's quality of life at any stage

• Helps reduce pain from the side effects of treatment, or from the disease process itself

• To accomplish that a DC may use manipulation, soft tissue techniques, physiotherapeutic modalities, exercise, and ergonomic counseling

Quality of Life

• A possible side effect of certain chemical agents during chemotherapy is that of axonal neuropathy, potentially causing muscle weakness, leading to pronounced gait abnormalities.

• Approximately 80% of studied patients with colon, lung, and prostate cancer have related problems with ambulation.

Quality of Life continued

• Chiropractic techniques may also be of benefit in instances in which joint contracture or adhesions occur.

• Radiation therapy on normal tissues can result in tissue fibrosis.

• Fibrosis potentially leads to a loss of mobility and/or painful movement

Treatment Plans

• There are numerous different techniques for manipulation or mobilization (↑ and ↓ force)

• Chiropractors often recommend exercise routines, encouraging patients to walk and perform stretching exercises.

• Activities need to be tailored according to the special needs and limitations of each patient.

Treatment Plans continued

• Physiotherapeutic modalities are helpful for pain modulation (cold, heat, ultrasound, diathermy, electric muscle stimulation, and transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation have been shown to be effective)

• Ergonomics and activities of daily living (ADL) advice can also be helpful

Treatment Plans continued

• Nutritional consultation may also be helpful

Omega-3 fatty acids Anti-inflammatory properties

Glucosamine Joint pain

Co-Q 10 #1 Drug-nutrient depletion

B vitamins Energy

Digestive enzymes Improved digestion and comfort

Questions?

Chiropractic Resource Organization

www.chiro.org

Includes sections about:• Chiropractic

• Nutrition

• Acupuncture