Cancer Fighters Thrive

WINTER 2013

Cancer Fighters Thrive is a quarterly print and online magazine bringing readers practical, innovative and inspirational information about cancer treatment and survivorship.

Issue link: http://cancerfightersthrive.epubxp.com/i/197379

Contents of this Issue

Navigation

Page 43 of 55

ASK THE EXPERT QA CHIROPRACTIC CARE & WHAT IS CHIROPRACTIC CARE? Chiropractic is a form of holistic medicine that focuses on the body's ability to heal itself. Chiropractors evaluate joints and muscles throughout the body in search of areas that may be restricted in motion. After determining an area of concern, chiropractic adjustments are performed. The objective is to improve mobility in areas that are restricted, whether the restrictions are within a joint, connective tissues or skeletal muscles. There are several goals to treatment: • Improve posture • Improve movement (walking, bending and lifting) • Relieve pain and discomfort • Improve overall function in the body • Enhance well-being WHAT ROLE DOES CHIROPRACTIC CARE PLAY IN CANCER TREATMENT AS PART OF AN INTEGRATIVE CARE MODEL? The chiropractor plays a very different role within the integrative model than in private practice. Within the integrative model, the chiropractor contributes his or her expertise to a team of comprehensive experts—all working on behalf of the patient. 44 cancer fighters thrive | winter 2013 Jefrey Sklar, DC Director of Chiropractor Services Cancer Treatment Centers of America® Philadelphia, Pennsylvania One great example of how chiropractic is utilized within this model is the beneft it can provide patients who experience discomfort while undergoing radiation treatments. It is not uncommon for patients to develop muscle and nerve pains from extended imaging or daily radiation treatments because they are often required to remain in awkward positions for prolonged periods of time. Chiropractic treatments can help by quickly alleviating the pain and allowing treatment to continue without interruption, enabling patients to complete therapy and get on with their lives. Chiropractors who work with patients as part of the integrative care team can also play an important role in a patient's ongoing care outside the oncology setting. By sharing valuable insight about a patient's diagnosis and treatment with the patient's hometown chiropractor, they can help ensure that the patient continues to receive safe and effective care throughout treatment and recovery. WHAT ARE SOME SPECIFIC BENEFITS OF CHIROPRACTIC CARE? Chiropractic care can help alleviate muscle tension and pain as well as joint pain brought on by the stress and the anxiety that accompanies a cancer diagnosis. In addition, chiropractic care can offer patients relief from some side effects of cancer treatment: • Neck, back, shoulder and hip pain • Headaches • Indigestion • Hiccups • Neuropathy • Refux • Hiatal hernia • Balance • Muscle weakness CAN ALL CANCER PATIENTS BENEFIT FROM CHIROPRACTIC CARE, OR ARE THERE LIMITATIONS OF WHICH PATIENTS SHOULD BE AWARE? Chiropractic care can be helpful at any disease stage, provided certain guidelines are followed. • The treating chiropractor should have access to the most recent images and blood work. • Chiropractic should not be received in areas of active bone cancer and in the case of low platelet counts. (Keep in mind that there are very gentle and cfthrive.com

Articles in this issue

Links on this page

Archives of this issue

view archives of Cancer Fighters Thrive - WINTER 2013