From Dr. Natalie Meiri’s Clinical Pearl Stories:
Chiropractic and Cancer: Chiropractic Can Decrease Pain and Improve the Quality of Your Life
Author: Natalie Meiri, D.C. Posted: 3/27/21
This was a 89 year old patient who presented to my office with low back pain, right shoulder pain, and pain in both legs and feet. To be HIPAA compliant, I will call him Amos instead of his real name. Amos had metastatic cancer in his lung. When Amos’ wife called for the appointment, I advised her, “Chiropractic does not treat or cure cancer. Chiropractors do treat patients who have cancer, seeking care mainly for neuromusculoskeletal complaints”. Amos was under the care of his oncologist (medical doctor who treats cancer) and was taking 20 different drugs prescribed by his various doctors. He was also going through chemo and radiation therapy for his cancer for a few years.
Amos’ Medical History
Amos’ pain in his legs and feet started with his low back problem over 10 years ago. With some treatment in the past, it had “come and gone” over the years. He had a left total hip replacement since then. Furthermore, undergoing the rigorous cancer treatments, battling the psychological effects of his cancer diagnosis and the metabolic effects of the therapeutic approaches had exacerbated his low back, bilateral (both) leg and foot pain. His right shoulder was in a sling and special “medical wrap” due to the “intramuscular edema” as reported on his MRI of his right shoulder. Moreover, the radiologist stated the edema was from the radiation therapy for his right lung cancer. Amos was depressed due to his pain, fatigue and his inability to do activities he did prior to his cancer.
After the radiation and chemotherapy he stated, his last “scans for the cancer were good”. Currently, improving the quality of his life was important as well. Amos wanted pain relief, more mobility and energy. With chiropractic care, he hoped for better sleep and to go back to the gym daily again.
Amos’ Exam and Imaging
Upon examination Amos had positive tests for both knees, ankles, right hip, mid and low back. X-rays taken in my office showed osteopenia (condition of bone loss) and osteoarthritis (wear and tear arthritis) in his lumbar spine (low back). Amos had spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal) with pain in both legs and feet. Any contraindications were considered and weeded out very carefully due to his cancer diagnosis for his chiropractic treatment plan. A contraindication is a condition that serves as a reason to not render a certain medical treatment due to the harm it would cause the patient.
The range of contraindications noted were: the medication used, cancer/metastasis location, possible bone density or ligamentous integrity alterations due to the cancer, post-chemotherapy osteoporosis, muscle weakness/atrophy.
Amos’ Chiropractic Treatment: Low Force Techniques Were Considered to be Safer
Firstly, Amos’ chiropractic treatment for lumbar spinal stenosis and lower extremity (both legs and feet) pain consisted of chiropractic manipulation/ adjustments of the lumbar spine, knees, ankles and associated regions utilizing low force techniques. Associated regions that were adjusted were his thoracic spine and right hip, which were misaligned (subluxations or intersegmental dysfunctions) due to the conditions he had. Secondly, soft tissue therapy (myofascial release, pressure point and various post isometric relaxation techniques) and modalities (cold/heat therapy and electric muscle stimulation) were administered. Thirdly, he was given therapeutic exercises to continue his treatment at home. Lastly, Amos had a homeopathic consultation for his depression, fatigue and to expedite healing of his neuromusculoskeletal conditions. His right shoulder couldn’t be adjusted due to the enormous amount of edema and the proximity of the cancer metastasis.
Amos started feeling better right away with care at my north palm beach office. In spite of all the pain medications/drugs, it was the chiropractic treatments that gave Amos relief for his neuromusculoskeletal complaints. Chiropractic adjustments normalize function, restore joint mobility, resolves joint inflammation and reduces the patient’s pain.
Within 6 weeks of treating regularly, Amos got pain relief, his sleep pattern improved, had higher energy levels, and more mobility. He felt psychologically better and stated he even felt a “sense of well-being and immune system improvement”.
Do you know someone like Amos who is in need of chiropractic treatment? Chiropractic and Cancer: Chiropractic Can Decrease Pain and Improve the Quality of Your Life! Contact Dr. Natalie Meiri of Meiri Chiropractic today serving West Palm Beach, Jupiter, North Palm Beach, and Palm Beach Gardens and get the relief you need. We also offer chiropractic care for many other ailments. Call 561-253-8984 to learn more or to schedule an appointment.