Part IV: The chiropractor's role in pain management for oncology patients

Abstract

he treatment of patients with cancer has both historically and justifiably been focused primarily on the disease itself. However, recognition is emerging of the importance of the patient’s supplemental needs and concerns, as well as alternative courses of action designed to improve quality of life. Although reliance on medications is a common protocol for the management of the patient’s pain complex, chiropractic treatment might offer an alternative for the open-minded physician. It is estimated that at least half the number of persons with cancer do not receive adequate relief from their pain.’ In response to this problem, the cancer rehabilitation team concept has been introduced into the literature in consideration of the multidimensional problems faced by the patient with cancer.2 This team is assembled to address issues regarding physical, emotional, or social disability that might result from the disease entity or corresponding treatment. Inclusive among these issues is pain management. To address “physical” rehabilitation of the patient, team members might include a psychiatrist, a physical therapist, an occupational therapist, or a combination of these; other team members might include appropriate professionals to address social, employment, and psychological issues. In many instances, a chiropractor can offer unique services to the rehabilitation team. Chiropractic treatment has consistently been rated favorably in the area of patient satisfaction, and chiropractic manipulation has been well documented in the literature to provide relief for mechanical low back pain. 3,4 The cancer rehabilitation team is faced with addressing, among other things, complications of prolonged bed rest, chronic pain related to radiation fibrosis, chemotherapy-related neuropathies, and gait or functional abnormalities associated with the disease or associated treatment regimen. The chiropractor can assist in the management of these entities, thereby potentially decreasing the patient’s reliance on pain medication. The purpose of this article is to demonstrate the practical nature of