Chiropractic Care and Mesothelioma
The following article was contributed by Richard Moyle, National Awareness Coordinator, Mesothelioma Center:
Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that develops in the lining of the lungs, heart and abdomen. The primary cause of mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos, a naturally occurring mineral that was used in a number of military and industrial applications throughout most of the 20th century. Mesothelioma treatment options are often limited as the cancer is typically diagnosed in its later stages due to the long latency period of the symptoms.
The combination of disease symptoms and treatment side effects can cause mesothelioma patients a great deal of pain. Cancer patients have included chiropractic care in their course of treatment to help control pain and alleviate headaches, tension and stress.
According to the American Chiropractic Association, chiropractic doctors “have a deep respect for the human body’s ability to heal itself without the use of surgery or medication. These doctors devote careful attention to the biomechanics, structure and function of the spine, its effects on the musculoskeletal and neurological systems, and the role played by the proper function of these systems in the preservation and restoration of health. A doctor of chiropractic is one who is involved in the treatment and prevention of disease, as well as the promotion of public health, and a wellness approach to patient healthcare.”
Alleviating severe headaches and movement pains during cancer treatment may make the treatment process more comfortable for cancer patients, including those battling mesothelioma. Two studies published in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics examined the cases of two patients combating cancer. A 57-year-old man diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer experienced significant pain relief and was able to reduce the amount of medication needed following chiropractic care. He also reported an increase in his quality of life following a visit to a chiropractor.
A 54-year-old man diagnosed with lung cancer (a cancer often related to asbestos exposure) began seeing a chiropractor after experiencing little pain relief one year after he underwent surgery to combat his cancer. The man experienced pain relief immediately after beginning chiropractic care and discontinued use of all pain medications after two visits to his chiropractor. The Journal noted, “these clinical examples offer two specific instances of how chiropractic may improve the quality of a cancer patients life.”
Tags: Mesothelioma