| Proceedings of the Integration of Complementary and Alternative Medicine into Clinical Practice: Evidence-Based Medicine, John Hopkins University: Baltimore, MD | June 8-10, 2005
While undergoing chemotherapy and radiation treatment, cancer patients found that digestive disturbances, among other symptoms, are some of the main side effects of the treatment. Nausea often resulted in vomiting and general bodily discomfort throughout the entire course of the treatment. Patients agreed that a treatment for these side effects was necessary. The sacro- occipital technique (SOT) form of chiropractic adjustment, in conjunction with nutritional supplements and the chiropractic manipulative reflex technique (CMRT) were administered to patients undergoing these types of lung cancer treatments to alleviate disturbing digestive side effects. The thoracic vertebrae were manually adjusted anterior to posterior to support nerve flow to the digestive organs via the sympathetic division of the autonomic nervous system. The adjusting procedure included myofascial trigger point release to reduce muscle tension along the sacro-spinalis group as well as alleviate any visceral tension and stress to the lungs and diaphragm. The nutritional supplements utilized were eicosapentaenoic acid, pepsin, pancreatic enzymes, bile and liver concentrates. Supplements were taken daily. Chiropractic Manipulative Reflex Technique (CMRT) was used to treat dysafferentation at the spinal joint complex associated with vertebral visceral syndromes. During and after the administration of these chiropractic techniques, it was found that digestive disturbances were significantly lessened, and occasionally completely alleviated during the time of chemotherapy and radiation treatment. The SOT treatment was also effectively administered to non- cancer patients for nausea, acid reflux and gas pains.