Mesothelioma is a rare and aggressive cancer caused mainly by exposure to asbestos. The symptoms of this type of cancer have an abnormally long latency period and can take anywhere from 20 to 50 years to become noticeable. Usually, by the time mesothelioma is diagnosed it is already in advanced stages and treatment options are limited.

Many cancer patients have chosen to visit a chiropractor as part of their treatment routine. According to the American Chiropractic Association, chiropractic doctors “have a deep respect for the human body’s ability to heal itself without the use of surgery or medication. These doctors devote careful attention to the biomechanics, structure and function of the spine, its effects on the musculoskeletal and neurological systems, and the role played by the proper function of these systems in the preservation and restoration of health. A doctor of chiropractic is one who is involved in the treatment and prevention of disease, as well as the promotion of public health, and a wellness approach to patient healthcare.”

In order to help control pain and relieve headaches, tension and stress, many cancer patients have integrated chiropractic care into their course of treatment.  Patients interested in alternative treatment, who strongly believe in the body’s capability to heal itself, may find chiropractic care appealing. Alleviating severe headaches and movement pains during cancer treatment may make the treatment process more comfortable for cancer patients, including those battling mesothelioma.

A study was published in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics that examined a 54-year-old man diagnosed with lung cancer (a cancer often related to asbestos exposure). The man began seeing a chiropractor after experiencing very little pain relief one year after he underwent surgery to combat his cancer. The man experienced pain relief immediately after beginning chiropractic care and stopped using all of his pain medications after two visits to his chiropractor. The Journal noted, “These clinical examples offer two specific instances of how chiropractic may improve the quality of a cancer patient’s life.”