Being diagnosed and treated for cancer imposes immense amounts of stress on the body, not only emotionally, but physically. All this stress can throw the body out of balance, making quality of life and chances of healing less. Maintaining balance and supporting your body throughout treatment and afterwards is extremely important. Taking an integrated approach can accomplish this. By integrated I mean combining both conventional and holistic forms of health care. For example, the Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA) have adopted an integrated approach to cancer treatment by offering services such as acupuncture, mind-body medicine, naturopathy, nutrition therapy, spiritual support, and chiropractic care. According to the CTCA, “We target cancer with some of the most aggressive treatments and latest technology available, and support you with complementary and alternative medicine therapies to boost your immune system, reduce treatment-related side effects, and improve your quality of life.” By utilizing aggressive conventional treatments you target the cancer, and by utilizing holistic complementary and alternative forms of health care you are supporting your body’s natural ability to heal itself from disease and the toxic effects of cancer treatments themselves.
So, how can chiropractic serve someone battling cancer? First you need to understand that chiropractic care involves gentle adjustments to the spine that restore normal range of motion to spinal segments and remove stress from the spine and nerve system. Not only does this often result in relief from aches and pains but by removing tension and stress from the nerve system your whole body is allowed to function more optimally. Studies have shown that chiropractic adjustments directly affect the central nervous system, creating a more relaxed state or parasympathetic state. In a parasympathetic state anxiety is less and digestion and immune function are both improved, all essential to healing. In my own practice I have seen the profoundly positive effect chiropractic care can have on someone battling cancer.
If you or someone you know is faced with cancer, please consider an integrative approach utilizing vitalistic principles and chiropractic to enhance quality of life and support the body’s innate ability to heal and be well.
