Chiropractors/Brain Tumor

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Expert: Dr. J. Shawn Leatherman - 3/4/2009


Question
My husband has a brain tumor that is behind his optical nerve. It is benign and has not shown growth in 9 years. Are there any reasons he should not seek chiropratic treatment?

Answer
Dear Christina,

Having a benign brain tumor is not a contraindication for chiropractic care, however, the chiropractor should be made aware of the clinical history on initial examination.

I must stress here that the chiropractor should not be treating him at any time for the tumor though. I am assuming that he wants to be seen for a separate issue here.  Otherwise, it should be fine, and a chiropractic physician will make a great addition to his health care team.   

Unless he has tumors on the spine or in other areas of the body that he wants to have the chiropractor address, he should be fine.  I have treated patients with ovarian tumors and cysts, colon tumors, breast tumors, and lung tumors.  But I was treating them for other issues such as back pain, structural rehab of the neck, sprained ankle etc...or adding nutritional adjuncts in correspondence with the patients oncologists because they were undergoing chemotherapy.  So I was not treating the tumors.  

However, if there were tumors in the spine, that would be a separate issue, and I would defer that to the medical oncologist managing the case.

Hope this helps Christina.

Respectfully,
Dr. J. Shawn Leatherman
www.suncoasthealthcare.net

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Dr. J. Shawn Leatherman

Expertise

I can answer questions on general chiropractic care, sports injury, whiplash and auto crash, mild traumatic brain injury, structural and functional rehabilitation of the spine, nutrition for inflammation and repair, fitness training, nutrition for sports performance and other general health and nutrition related inquiries. I currently lecture on automobile trauma, occupant kinematics, and forensic risk analysis to local EMS, Fire and Police, as well as nutrition and sports injury to community groups. Rest assured all answers are generated from my clinical experience, and scientific research.

Experience

I have accumulated over 1100 hours of post-doctoral training to include; Certifications in Spinal Trauma and Mild Traumatic Brain Injury from the Spine Research Institute of San Diego, Certification in Chiropractic Spinal Trauma from the International Chiropractic Association, Certification in Low Speed Auto Crash Reconstruction and Certification in Forensic Risk Analysis from The Center for Research Into Automotive Safety and Health, Certified Proficiency in spinal and extremity diagnostic procedures from The Motion Palpation Institute, Certified in Sports Injury and Rehabilitation from the National University of Health Sciences and The American Chiropractic Board of Sports Physicians, Nationally Certified Fellow of Structural Rehabilitation from The Chiropractic Biophysics Organization, and I have advanced training in manipulation under anesthesia and nutrition. Feel free to check out my website for course listings: www.suncoasthealthcare.net

Organizations
International Chiropractic Association, Florida Chiropractic Association, American Chiropractic Board of Sports Physicians, American Academy of Pain Management, Chiropractic Biophysics, Spine Research Institute of San Diego, Center for Research Into Automotive Safety and Health, Motion Palpation Organization, American Academy of Manual and Physical Medicine, Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce

Education/Credentials
B.A. (Psychology)The University of Cincinnati B.S. (Human Biology)Cleveland Chiropractic College D.C. (Doctor of Chiropractic) Cleveland Chiropractic College C.C.S.T. (Certification in Chiropractic Spinal Trauma)The International Chiropractic Association C.C.S.P. (Certified Chiropractic Sports Physician)The American Chiropractic Board of Sports Physicians. *CCST and CCSP 120 hour certification courses are not recognized by the Florida Chiropractic Board due to the fact that they are not 300 hour diplomate level courses*

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