Patients often present themselves for chiropractic treatment with conditions that may include contraindications for manipulative therapy. This report describes successful chiropractic treatment of acute shoulder pain involving a patient who presented with mixed metastatic carcinoma affecting the humerus, scapula, and clavicle using an Activator Adjusting Instrument.
The successful outcome of the case demonstrates the possible value of instrumental chiropractic adjustment in treating neuromusculoskeletal cases where a forceful, high-velocity adjustment or manipulation would be contraindicated because of the underlying osseous pathology involved. Further study into this possibility should be provided to help train those physicians who are called upon to treat these cases and to help further define risk management protocols for the chiropractic profession.
Chiropr Tech 1995; 7(3):98-102.
Author information: Polkinghorn BS. Private practice of chiropractic. Santa Monica, CA, USA.