At Armstrong-King Chiropractic Wellness Center our purpose is to check, educate, and adjust as many families as possible toward optimal health through natural chiropractic care. Dr. Billie King Shaw commits several hours every week to reviewing the most recent research to ensure that Armstrong-King Chiropractic Wellness Center always provides the highest standards of care. Here you will find research on Cancer. Should you have any questions or concerns please feel free to contact our office.
“The doctor of the future will give no medicine but will interest his patients in the care of the human frame, in diet and in the cause and prevention of disease.” –Thomas Edison
Cancer Patients Quality of Life Improved With Chiropractic
An article published in the January 2001 issue of the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics follows two case studies of patients with various types of serious cancer. The article follows the chiropractic care and it’s effect on these patients pain and quality of life.
The first patient was a 57-year-old man with serious terminal pancreatic cancer. This patient received chiropractic care during the later stages of the disease. In the remaining time the patient had before succumbing to the disease it was documented that the patient had significantly less pain and was able to reduce his medications. The journal article summed up this case by stating, “In this case chiropractic care was able to provide significant pain relief, reduce the amount of pain medication being taken (as well as the potential side effects), and temporarily improve the quality of life for a patient with terminal cancer.”
The second patient was a 54-year-old man recovering from surgery for lung cancer. This patient was continually suffering from upper back pain and had gotten no relief for over one year. At that point the patient began chiropractic care. In this case the patient received immediate relief and was able to discontinue all pain medication after two chiropractic visits.
The principles of chiropractic make it plain that the focus of chiropractic care is not to directly treat the patient’s pain but rather to assist the body and allow the body’s own healing abilities to work at that person’s maximum potential. These case studies show that ability and the effect on people suffering with serious conditions. The Journal article states it best when it said, “These clinical examples offer 2 specific instances of how chiropractic may improve the quality of a cancer patient’s life.”
Remission of hepatocellular carcinoma in a patient under chiropractic care: a case report. Lee G, Jenson CD J Vertebral Subluxation Research 2(3), Nov. 1998.
A 60-year-old male patient with a confirmed diagnosis of liver cancer. His two older brothers had died of liver cancer at age 50 and 52. All three brothers were infected at birth with Hepatitis B.
Patient was diagnosed with two lesions of approximately 2 cm and 1.6 cm. The larger lesion was confirmed as hepatocellular carcinoma and the second a benign hemangioma. This patient had two remissions. The first after extensive medical intervention – after which the cancer reappeared. Surgery was ruled out by the HMO and the patient declined any further medical intervention.
He continued under chiropractic care and a second remission followed. A follow-up CAT scan revealed no lesions. The patient would sleep one hour after adjustment in the doctor’s office and another three hours at home. Three years later the patient is enjoying a life of retirement, and remains cancer free under chiropractic care.
Glioglastoma multiforme in a patient presenting for chiropractic care: a case study. Holt FJ, Kent C ICA Review Nov/Dec 1990;46(6):43-45
Study of a 49-year-old male with brain tumor. The importance of providing chiropractic care to all subluxated patients, including those undergoing medical treatment, is discussed. The authors write:
“The fact that a patient may elect to undergo medical treatment does not relieve the chiropractor’s responsibility to locate and correct vertebral subluxations. The clinical challenge facing the chiropractor is selecting adjusting techniques which are safe and effective in such circumstances.”
Upper cervical chiropractic care and the resolution of cystic hygroma in a twelve-year-old female: a case study Hunt JM, Journal of Clinical Chiropractic Pediatrics Vol 5, No 1 2000.
This is the case of a 12-year-old girl with a cystic hygroma (CH), also known as a lymphangioma, a rare tumor that appears mostly in the neck and axilla (armpit area) and is considered a lymphatic problem from fetal development. It appears as a sac-like bag of fluid just under the skin, filled with lymph fluid and lymph cells. It may interfere with breathing and swallowing.
Medical care of surgery, radiation, drug therapy, pressure garments, pump garments and massage have been used with varying degrees of success. The patient had surgery to have a tennis ball sized mass removed. The mass redeveloped within one year and another surgery was performed after which the mass reappeared within six weeks. A third surgery failed.
The child had difficulty breathing due to severe sinus congestion and the mass at the base of her jaw/throat. If she ran a mile the sinus congestion would cause her to vomit.
Chiropractic evaluation using orthospinology revealed atlas, axis and lower cervical subluxations. Adjustment was on the atlas transverse process.
After six weeks the mass was smaller and more flaccid. She said she could breathe better and could play tennis without respiratory distress. After six months of care the CH was completely resolved and did not return. She was able to compete on the cross country track team, could run ten miles and was delighted with her ability to breathe.
The chiropractor’s role in pain management for oncology. Schneider J, Gilford S, Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, 2001; 24(1):52-57
Many cancer patients suffer from pain. The author states “The chiropractor can assist in the treatment of the complications of prolonged bed rest, chronic pain related to radiation fibrosis, chemotherapy related neuropathies and gait or functional abnormalities, thereby decreasing the patient’s reliance on pain medication.”
Neurocalometer, Neurocalograph, Neurotempometer research as applied to eight B.J. Palmer chiropractic clinic cases. Preface by L.W. Sherman, DC, Asst. Director B.J. Palmer Chiropractic Clinic. Published by Palmer School of Chiropractic, Davenport, Iowa (undated).
Case No. 917. Col. Wm. Allen underwent exploratory surgery at Walter Reed General Hospital in Washington, D.C. He was told he had “cirrhosis of the liver and a malignancy (cancer) in both liver ducts” on April 18, 1941. He was told there was nothing that could be done for him surgically and his wife was told that “she could expect him to die in a very short time.”
He began care at the BJ Palmer Chiropractic Clinic on April 22, 1941 and after three pre-checks received a chiropractic adjustment on April 24 (the only one he was to receive for over a year). Col. Allen, “felt sleepy most of the time”. In addition, within the next weeks his appetite improved and his strength slowly returned. He weighed 120 upon admittance and had gained five pounds alone the week of 5/14/41. His cough cleared and his jaundiced skin was clearing. His cancer disappeared, he returned to active duty, commanding a battalion in the European theatre of WW 2, fought in the Battle of the Bulge and received American and French decorations. His next adjustment was in September, 1945.
Neurocalometer, Neurocalograph, Neurotempometer research as applied to eight B.J. Palmer chiropractic clinic cases. Preface by L.W. Sherman, DC, Asst. Director B.J., Palmer Chiropractic Clinic. Published by Palmer School of Chiropractic, Davenport, Iowa (undated).
Case No. 2342. Female age 49 diagnosed medically with “numerous small tumors in the uterus and possibly a tumor pressing on the bladder.” She had first adjustment 8-17-45 and reported “terrible pain between shoulders and sore all over” the day after the first adjustment. The pains continued, interfering with the patient’s sleep. After one week, “feel quite sore over whole body, with a warm glow over body.” The pains and soreness began to abate somewhat 8-27-45.
The pressure on her bladder was completely gone a month after her first (and only) adjustment. The lumps on her breasts were completely gone within four months. Her other symptoms ameliorated after six months.
Chiropractic in Tumors S.L. Ashworth Associated Chiropractic Colleges of America News 1938 p. 15, 22-23.
Dr. Ashworth writes: “My interest in tumors began with my own case. Chiropractic cured me after other methods had failed, and I had been given up to die..
“I have handled hundreds of cases of tumors, in all stages of their development. There are many different types of tumors but ALL have the primary cause – Pressure on nerves – interference with life energy. Malignant growths, such as Carcinoma, naturally present the greatest problem, for the reason that during the sloughing period there is more toxemia than in the non-malignant types.”
Dr. Ashworth had an extensive collection of “Jars containing tumors that have sloughed under chiropractic adjustments” which had been on display in the Cleveland Chiropractic College library for many years.
For Your Health,
Dr. Billie King Shaw
