Chiropractic Care for Chemotherapy Patients

Chiropractic care during chemotherapy is one of the best ways to alleviate the unpleasant symptoms associated with cancer treatment.

As cancer treatments have become more advanced, the role of supportive care has become increasingly important. Supportive care helps patients cope with the side effects of cancer and its treatment and improve their quality of life.

One type of supportive cancer care that is gaining popularity is chiropractic care. Chiropractic is a drug-free, hands-on approach to health care focusing on the musculoskeletal system.

Chiropractic care is a form of alternative medicine that focuses on diagnosing and treating mechanical disorders of the musculoskeletal system, particularly the spine. Chiropractic care treats a variety of conditions, including: 

• Back pain
• Neck pain
• Headaches
• Joint pain

It’s considered safe and effective and is a way to ease pain and other side effects of chemotherapy without having to use medication or other invasive treatments. 

How Chiropractic Can Be Used As Supportive Care for Cancer

There is a growing body of evidence that shows that chiropractic therapy can be helpful for cancer patients. For example, cancer patients who received chiropractic care had less pain, fatigue, and nausea than those who did not receive chiropractic care.

Additionally, patients with breast cancer who received chiropractic therapy had less pain, anxiety, and depression than those who did not receive chiropractic care.

Chiropractic care can also help cancer patients cope with the side effects of cancer treatment, such as fatigue and pain. Cancer patients with breast cancer who received chiropractic care reported less fatigue than those who did not receive chiropractic treatment.

Chiropractic Care During Chemotherapy Treatments

Chiropractic care during chemotherapy helps manage side effects and improve quality of life. 

Chiropractic care… 

• Helps reduce these side effects and improve patient comfort
• Reduces nausea and vomiting
• Relieves pain by reducing pressure on nerves and improving blood flow

Treating Chemotherapy and Cancer Side Effects with Chiropractic Care

One of the most common ways that chiropractic care is used is to ease pain during chemotherapy. Chemotherapy is a form of cancer treatment that uses powerful drugs to kill cancer cells. The side effects of chemotherapy can be severe and include nausea, vomiting, fatigue, and pain.

Pain Relief

Chiropractic care can help to ease the pain caused by chemotherapy by providing gentle, non-invasive adjustments to the spine. This complementary therapy can help to relieve pressure on the nerves and improve blood flow to the area, which can help to reduce pain.

Nausea

Nausea and vomiting are two of the most common chemotherapy side effects. Chemotherapy drugs attack rapidly dividing cells, which can lead to digestive system distress. This can make it difficult for patients to keep food down, leading to weight loss and dehydration. Chiropractic care is an effective treatment for nausea, both during and after chemotherapy.

There’s evidence that chiropractic adjustments reduced the severity of chemotherapy-induced nausea in cancer patients. Patients receiving chiropractic care reported less nausea, less vomiting, and less need for medication to control their symptoms.

Prevent Infections

Chiropractic care has been shown to reduce the risk of infection during chemotherapy. Some patients who received chiropractic care during their chemotherapy treatment had a significantly lower risk of developing an infection.

Constipation

Chiropractic care can help to relieve constipation in several ways. For starters, chiropractic adjustments can help to relieve stress and tension in the body. This can help to relax the muscles in the digestive tract, making it easier for waste to move through the system. In addition, chiropractic adjustments can help to increase blood flow and nerve function in the digestive tract, which can also help to ease constipation.

Fatigue

One of the most common complaints that chiropractors treat is fatigue, especially from patients undergoing chemotherapy. Fatigue is a general feeling of tiredness or lack of energy that can be caused by many factors, including stress, sleep deprivation, or an underlying medical condition.

Chiropractic care can help to reduce fatigue by relieving pain and tension in the body. A chiropractic adjustment can help improve the function of the nervous system, which can in turn help reduce stress and improve sleep quality. In addition, chiropractic treatment can help to improve the function of the digestive system, which can also help to reduce fatigue.

Quality of Life

Chemotherapy can be effective, but it can also take a toll on the body, causing fatigue, nausea, and pain.

A growing body of research suggests that chiropractic care may help improve the quality of life for cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. Some patients who received chiropractic care during chemotherapy reported less pain, fatigue, and nausea than those who did not receive chiropractic care.

Additionally, cancer patients who received chiropractic adjustment before and during chemotherapy had less pain and nausea and required less medication to manage their symptoms.

What Are the Benefits of Chiropractic Care for Cancer Patients and Survivors?

Chiropractic services for cancer patients and survivors can help to relieve pain, improve quality of life, and reduce the side effects of cancer treatment. Cancer treatment can often cause side effects such as fatigue, nausea, and pain. Chiropractic care can help to reduce these side effects and improve the quality of life for cancer patients and survivors. There is also evidence that chiropractic care can help to reduce the risk of cancer recurrence.

Conclusion

Some cancer patients may benefit from seeing a chiropractor. Chiropractic care can help ease pain and improve the quality of life for cancer patients. A chiropractor may also be able to help with other symptoms, such as fatigue and nausea. Cancer patients should talk to their doctor before beginning chiropractic care.

If you or a loved one is undergoing chemotherapy or has recently completed chemo, speak with your medical team about scheduling an appointment with a chiropractor.

Dr. Eric Neumann D.C.

Dr. Eric Neumann grew up in Alberta, Canada where he majored in Chemistry at the University of Calgary. During his time at University, he obtained licensure as a Massage Therapist. It was clear that hands-on healing would be his calling. After suffering multiple sport-related injuries he became interested in Chiropractic. Dr. Neumann graduated from Western States Chiropractic College in 2009. He has since specialized in the treatment and management of acute spinal injuries.