Cancer Patient Undergoing Chemotherapy Receives Additional Help Under Chiropractic

The Asian-Pacific Chiropractic Journal published the results of a case study in their second quarter 2024 issue documenting chiropractic helping a cancer patient recover from a variety of symptoms while undergoing chemotherapy treatment for cancer.

The researchers in this study begin by explaining, "A cancer diagnosis is known to be a life-interrupting diagnosis that may bring a high level of psychological and physical stress. Increasingly, research is highlighting how decreased levels of nervous system adaptability (as indicated by decreased heart rate variability) often accompany cancer."

In this case, a 47-year-old woman sought chiropractic care for a number of health concerns. She had been medically diagnosed with stage four bilateral breast cancer with lymphatic involvement two months earlier, for which she was undergoing medical treatment. The woman's history revealed that 18 years earlier, she had been successfully treated for Hodgkin's lymphoma. She reported that she was under a lot of stress as she was going through a divorce and was the primary caregiver for her mother who was suffering from dementia.

At the time of her initial visit to the chiropractor, she reported that she was gaining weight, had TMJ pain, shoulder pain, and was suffering with migraine headaches. She also reported that she felt head pain three days per week with brain fog and memory loss. She stated that she felt anxiety approximately 50% of the time.

A thorough chiropractic examination was performed which included a self-questionnaire, body composition assessments, spinal x-rays, and additional clinical tests. The conclusion of these tests was that subluxations were present in the woman's spine.

Specific forms of chiropractic care were started along with dietary recommendations for detoxification and what researchers referred to as some "at-home strategies." She also continued her medical treatment for her cancer diagnosis.

The combination of all of her care had a profound positive impact on her health and life perspective. The study reports that she experienced a reversal of stage 4 cancer diagnosis. Additionally, the study reports that all her pain was gone except for an occasional slight TMJ pain. She also reported much less anxiety and had a much more positive outlook. She reported that her care, "helped her save her life."

In their discussion, the authors of the study summed up this case by stating, "The significant impact of this course of care on this patient's quality of life, as well as her objective findings, cannot be overstated. While this course of care was in conjunction with her usual oncologist-recommended cancer care, the impact subluxation-based care had on adaptability, neurological function, and a reduction in toxicity is potentially significant."