How Can Chiropractic Care Help Cancer Patients?

Cancer is one of the most challenging medical issues. It puts strain on you physically, as well as emotionally and mentally. 

Many modern cancer treatments trigger a variety of unpleasant side effects. Unfortunately, it’s more difficult for the body to deal with cancer when it’s weakened. Chiropractic care doesn’t cure cancer, but it can help to reduce the pain and improve your overall quality of life while dealing with cancer.

How Can Chiropractic Care Help Cancer Patients?

There are several things chiropractic care can do to ease discomfort for people with cancer. It does not directly treat or cure cancer. However, it helps the body operate at an optimal level. Regular adjustments boost your immune system and make you feel better overall.

Chiropractic care is recommended as a complementary health service for people undergoing cancer treatment. It can help manage or alleviate the following:

• Fatigue
• Back pain
• Neck pain
• Headaches
• Painful movement
• Sciatic nerve pain
• Neuropathy

In general, chiropractors help you keep your spine healthy. This helps the nervous and immune systems work optimally. It promotes health, so your body is in the best position to deal with cancer. At the very least, chiropractic treatments help you manage pain and are considered a viable supplemental treatment for cancer patients.

According to the CDC, some of the side effects of cancer include:

• Neutropenia: a decrease in white blood cells, the body’s primary defense against infection
• Nausea and vomiting: even if there is no vomiting, it’s common for cancer patients to feel sick to their stomach
• Pain
• Blood clots
• Fatigue 
• Depression

Chiropractic treatment can help with all of these side effects.

Chiropractic Adjustments & Therapeutic Massage

Massage and chiropractic care go hand-in-hand. They work together to promote relaxation and enhance overall well-being.

Chiropractors recommend or perform massage because it enhances the effects of chiropractic care. 

Massage therapy targets the tendons and muscles of the body. The therapist uses manipulation techniques that reduce inflammation and ease pain. Chiropractic adjustments, done in tandem with massage therapy, use minimal force and gentle pressure to relieve discomfort and improve range of motion. This allows optimal function and communication throughout the body. Regular massage therapy and routine chiropractic care combine to create the perfect combination for wellness. Chiropractic care and massage therapy:

• Improve immune system function
• Improve range of motion
• Increase blood flow
• Increase flexibility

Massage loosens your muscles, which makes chiropractic treatment as effective as possible. It also increases the length of pain relief time. Massage promotes circulation, which speeds healing to the treated areas. It helps with inflammation and lets your nervous system perform optimally.

Alleviating Pain and Discomfort from Cancer Side Effects

Chiropractic care helps alleviate the pain and discomfort of cancer and cancer treatment side effects. For example, chiropractic care can be helpful to:

• Reduce inflammation
• Improve flexibility
• Alleviate pain and stiffness in joints
• Alleviate neuropathy 
• Ease pain in the neck and back
• Promote headache relief
• Relax

Conclusion

Keep in mind chiropractors don’t treat cancer. Chiropractic adjustment won’t heal cancer. However, chiropractic care is used as a coping tool. It makes managing the pain and discomfort of cancer and cancer treatments easier. There are also very few (if any) side effects, so you don’t need to worry about making your situation worse or interfering with conventional cancer treatment.

Chiropractic treatments also promote relaxation and overall well-being. In addition to targeting specific pain issues caused by cancer and treatment, it reduces stress. It’s no secret that a cancer diagnosis and the process of treating it are stressful situations. Anything you can do to promote health and healing and to maintain good mental health during the process is good for you.

Dr. Darren Faherty D.C.

In 2004, Dr. Darren Faherty graduated with a Bachelors of Science degree in Biology from UWEC - University of Wisconsin Eau Claire. Dr. Darren continued education at the highly esteemed University of Western States (formerly Western States Chiropractic College) where he obtained his chiropractic degree in 2007. He has been helping people recover from injuries and return to their normal lifestyles ever since.