Chiropractic Care for Mesothelioma Patients
Chiropractic care is administered to treat and prevent pain and disorders relating to the musculoskeletal system that controls the body's movement, including the spine. Mesothelioma patients may elect to visit a chiropractor as part of their treatment regimen.
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."
Cancer patients have incorporated chiropractic care into their course of treatment to help control pain and alleviate headaches, tension and stress. Patients interested in alternative treatment, who strongly believe in the body's capacity to heal itself, may find chiropractic care particularly appealing. Alleviating severe headaches and movement pains during cancer treatment may make the treatment process more comfortable for cancer patients, including those battling mesothelioma.
A study published in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics examined 2 cases of patients combating cancer. One case was that of a 54-year-old man diagnosed with lung cancer (a cancer often related to asbestos exposure) who 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 patient's life."
