Chiropractic and Cancer
A presentation by Frank M. Painter, D.C. for
Early Influences
Love, Medicine and Miracles
By 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 Results
Chiropractic scored the highest pain relief
Technique Used
Pain Relief
Chiropractic Manipulation
Nerve Blocks
7.33
6.75
Narcotics
Muscle Relaxants
Massage
Acupuncture
Ibuprofen, Aspirin
6.37
5.78
5.48
5.29
5.22
Clin J Pain 2005 (Jan); 21 (1): 18–26
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