Chiropractic
Services Can Aid Those Undergoing Cancer Treatment
12/04/2009
The experience of a cancer diagnosis
and related treatment can be a traumatic one for both the mind
and body. Certain aggressive malignancies, including mesothelioma
cancer, are extremely difficult to treat and will often require
incredibly toxic dosages of either chemotherapy or radiation to
effectively eradicate malignant cells. These treatments put the
body through a great of stress, pain, and illness. Therefore,
some of the most important treatments utilized by patients during
cancer care will be those that effectively alleviate cancer-related
pain and discomfort.
Integrative oncology emphasizes
the use of doctor-recommended complementary or alternative therapies
in conjunction with traditional therapies. Often, patients who
are healthy enough to manage the pain and discomfort are those
who emerge from treatment with the most favorable results. The
ability to manage these symptoms then becomes directly correlated
to the efficacy of the overall treatment regimen.
Chiropractic care is one
emerging area in which patients have introduced into formal and
traditional treatment regimens. Musculoskeletal pain is one of
the most common symptoms of malignant cell growth as well as radiation
and chemotherapy treatments. Chiropractic care has been shown
effective in some exploratory clinical trials as a pain management
tool. Other services by many chiropractic care providers, such
as acupuncture and massage have also assisted in providing and
easing of anxiety and decreased pain for those undergoing cancer
treatments.
Chiropractic care is not appropriate
for all cancer patients, particularly those with whom the introduction
of additional stress on the body may be detrimental, or those
who are not healthy enough to undergo treatment. Patients are
urged to speak with their primary oncologist before commencing
any integrative or alternative cancer therapy. Ability to participate
in such therapies will depend on any other number of specific
patient conditions. However, all patients are encouraged to explore
any therapy which improves overall health and quality of life.
James O'Shea
Mesothelioma.com
Referenced:
Alternatives in Cancer Pain Treatment: The Application of Chiropractic
Care
http://www.chiro.org/ChiroZine/ABSTRACTS/Alternatives_in_Cancer_Pain.shtml
